I'm not sure if the gas type has it but ours is an old GE type stove topMy wife has a clever way of covering the drip pans with aluminum foil to keep them cleanBut recently she started covering the hole to prevent boil over spills from dripping down belowI think the manufacturer provided that center hole for a reason.
They allow hot air to escapeOnly in extreme cases will covering the hole be a problem.
dates, cucumbers, cellary, brown bread,
