here's a pic of what I mean...this was after one use...and AFTER scrubbing!

Anyone have some insight?

I would try removing it and soaking it in some kind of cleaner for a while, a cleaner that "claims to remove grease".

One of the reason we folks that do not care for cleaning cooktops buy induction, the cooktop never gets hot enough to burn gunk on like that.

I hope soaking it works, otherwise you will just have to join "The Patina Fan Club"!

Gary

Try a bit of BarKeepers Friend, make a thin slurry of it and soak it, then a paste and rub it.
Mine rarely gets any spots like this, has a couple of times but they just disappeared mostly.
I think I have actually cleaned a couple of burners once since I have owned it which is over a year and a half now.

I am just so frustrated that it happened the first time I used it...could there be a defect in the burner? The other 3 are fine...

Thats not a defect, looks like maybe oil or something.
Odds are it will disappear on its own after using it, will just burn away.

Try rubbing it out with a pinch of barely moist baking soda and a rag. You'll have to remove the burners first and it'll take steady pressure on the spots.

It looks like something was splattered on it then burned.

Try a product called Flitz...it worked to get spots off of my satin nickel faucet also worked on my stainless steel sink.

You can find it online, it's a great product to have in the house. Use it very sparingly, just a little on a soft cloth!

I had the same thing happen with my new Whirlpool the first time I used a plain old frying pan on it. No water, no grease, just cooked scrambled eggs. Tried scrubbing with Bon Ami with no luck. Called Whirlpool and they recommended a product specifically made for this purpose. A waste of $$$ as the product didn't even touch it. Tried BKF and it helped a bit.

While at Lowe's was talking to the guy in the appliance department and he recommend citrusafe BBQ grid and grill cleaner. So far that's been the most helpful. Spray it on and leave it set for a minute or so and then scrub it off. Doesn't get it all, but does the best of anything else so far.

I don't think its a defect either. I'm thinking it might have been machine oil or something like that from the factory. Before you used the burner, it was light enough that you didn't even notice it. But when you used the burner, it got hot enough to "seasoned" the burner like a cast iron pan. If that's the case, acid (lemon juice, vinegar) should work to remove it. Along the line of never making tomato sauce in a cast iron pot, because it will strip the seasoning right off the cast iron. You could also "run" the burner and let it get hot enough to burn off the seasoning. Good luck.

I would try oven cleaner, with the recommended "soak time." It is made for stuff like this.