However, the size of the cooking circle is smaller than I anticipated based on the documentation. It does not seem to heat out to the red circle. Could it be defective?

This product is dangerous for many reasons. 1) It is mostly soy. Major estrogen going on here, with major effects. 2) It contains both meadowsweet and willow bark, both of which are essentially aspirin. Are YOU ready to go on an aspirin regime without knowing it, or telling your doctor? (Also aspirin is dangerous for kids, and I know people are putting this in their kids drinks). I asked my it works rep how much of those are in there, and she didn't know, so she contacted the company. THEY WOULDN'T TELL HER because it was proprietary. So not only are you drugging yourself, you have no idea the dosage. (Goldenseal is in this too, which can affect medication absorption). I knew more about every single ingredient in there than the rep did, she was like "Really? Herbs have side effects? " 3) Super disgusting. Avoid at all costs.