Did you come back home only to be met by shattered glass on the kitchen floor next to your oven? If not, then you have heard tales or experienced the oven glass exploding when baking, roasting, or grilling. But why does this happen, one may ask?
While this may seem alarming the first time it happens to you, it is not an isolated case. It may be a lot more common going by the numerous complaints from other oven users. However, since this is not something you anticipate or look forward to, you’ll certainly be caught by surprise.
Rather than panic when it happens, it helps to know potential causes and actions to take to remedy the situation. It must be a relief knowing that your oven is not entirely useless after such an occurrence.
Generally, the major cause of shattering oven glass is some sort of compromise on the tempered glass. While the issue is less talked about, it happens more often than many homeowners realize. Over time the glass develops micro cracks that in turn lead to shattering. Other times though, the cause could be factory related.
However, the specific reasons vary which is why you must understand the exact cause if you are to use the oven longer with minimal mishaps. I explore the many reasons why your glass oven shatters and what you can do to prevent and fix it in case it happens.
Why Did My Bosch Oven Glass Explode?
1. The Impact of an Accident
Typically, a tempered oven glass does not shatter or burst suddenly. The explosion is a culmination of gradual impact that reaches a tipping point. The micro-cracks worsen and the glass shatters if users are unable to salvage the situation in time.
One common reason for such occurrences is accidents. Something as simple as slamming the oven door frequently causes a significant impact on the glass. Micro cracks develop with time. The same impact is created when you store pans, and metallic pots inside the oven.
Chances are that the items can accidentally hit the glass and trigger the formation of micro cracks. Additionally, the heavy-duty items can worsen already existing micro-cracks, triggering unexpected shattering. This explains why most homeowners never see the glass shattering coming. Many are caught by surprise with the assumption that it is safe to store pans and pots in the oven when not in use.
Fix – Store your Heavy Pots and Pans Away from the Oven
- Find a different storage spot for all your pots and pans. Try to keep all metallic baking and cooking trays/ pots away from the oven. While the impact is hardly felt or seen immediately, the constant knocking of these heavy metallic items on the tempered oven glass will eventually lead to its shattering. Build a rack that is strong enough to hold all your heavy pots and pans independently. Keep the oven clear when not in use and avoid using it for storage at any given time.
- Push the oven racks inside the oven lest they hit the oven glass when shutting the oven.
2. Too Much Cleaning
Most homeowners don’t realize that there is a thing as too much cleaning, especially when it comes to oven glass cleaning. While oven hygiene is highly recommended for food safety, there is a limit to cleaning the oven glass. It is important to use the right products and use sufficient force to clean.
Aggressive cleaning only damages the oven glass and worsens any existing micro-cracks. Not that excessive scrubbing translates to using too much pressure which in turn has an impact on the glass. There are a few things you can do to simplify the cleaning and not jeopardize its structural integrity.
It also helps to have a cleaning routine. Wipe down the glass a few minutes after you are done using the oven to prevent the accumulation of dirt that may warrant the use of too much force when cleaning. Regular wiping helps keep the glass clean and sparkling.
Fix – Apply Less Force when Cleaning
- Use safe and gentle DIY cleaning products such as vinegar and baking soda. These are easy and gentle on the oven glass and will loosen any stuck dirt making it easy for you to clean.
- Utilize a microfibre cloth, or alternative soft cloth that gets rid of the dirt without too much force.
- Soak the dirt by spritzing the cleaning detergent before wiping. It is easy to simply wipe off the dirt as opposed to scrubbing hard.
3. Using Harsh Cleaning Products
Applying too much force on the glass surface is bad enough that you don’t need to use harsh and damaging chemical cleaners. Try to use natural cleaners to get rid of the grease and stubborn stains that won’t come off by simply wiping them off. If you must use detergents, then avoid abrasive cleaners.
Unfortunately, some of the oven cleaners are inappropriate and harsh on the glass. In addition to stripping off the grime, they take a toll on the delicate glass surface. All glass manufacturers apply a special coating that serves as a protective layer on the oven glass.
Using harsh chemical cleaners and abrasives strip off this layer and expose the glass to easy damage. It is important to minimize exposure of this kind by choosing the right cleaning products.
Fix – Use Oven Glass Safe Cleaners
- Use homemade cleaning solutions using safe ingredients from your kitchen. A mixture of water and vinegar, or a paste made with water and baking soda can work well. Allow the mixture to soak for a few minutes before wiping off the dirt from the oven glass.
- Shop for safe non-abrasive oven cleaners. Shop for cleaners meant for the oven glass only. Read the labels of the oven cleaning sprays and gels to be sure they do not contain harsh chemicals that strip the protective layer from the oven glass.
- Practice regular wiping of the oven glass to prevent the accumulation of dirt and grime that warrants the use of chemical cleaners.
4. Fast Changes in Temperatures
Beware of rapid temperature changes when using the oven. Such fluctuations are not ideal for the oven glass. While the oven glass is manufactured to withstand temperature changes from extreme hot to cold, this is meant to happen gradually.
Therefore, sudden changes from high to low can be detrimental to the oven glass structure.
Such drastic temperature changes happen in instances where users accidentally or intentionally pour cold water on the hot glass before it cools down. Sometimes placing a cold dish on the hot glass surface can also trigger temperature stress which can damage the glass too.
While tempered glass would generally have no problem adjusting from extreme hot to cold temperatures gradually, unnecessary rushed cooling will trigger the formation of microcracks and eventually lead to cracking/ shattering of the glass.
Fix – Allow the Oven to Cool Naturally
- Once you are done cooking, let the oven cool down for a few minutes before allowing anything cold close to it. Any sudden temperature changes will destabilize the glass and make it prone to shattering in the long run.
- Keep cold liquids away from the hot oven until you are sure it is cool to touch. Also, avoid hanging wet kitchen towels on the hot oven glass.
- Never use the oven door as a place to rest items. This is likely to happen whenever you are organizing items in the oven. Unfortunately, this exerts unnecessary pressure on the glass and may cause gradual shattering.
5. Manufacturing Faults and Dames that Occur in Transit
Sometimes the issue is beyond your control, a case in point being a manufacturing error. When the oven glass comes tampered with by the manufacturer then the shattering or exploding is inevitable.
Sadly, there is only a sure way of determining this kind of error once the oven gets installed in your home. Other issues that are beyond your control include when the damage happens in transit.
Due to the impact of the movement, micro cracks can form on the oven glass which means that the possibility of shattering will occur in a matter of time.
What’s more, the installer can also make a mistake that triggers micro-cracks to form on the glass surface. Finally, there is the other risk of damage that comes during repair sessions. All these are potential ways your oven glass may be compromised to the point it shatters over time.
Fix – Do your Due Diligence and Work with Trusted Professionals.
- Research the seller before purchasing a new Bosch oven. Only buy your appliances from trusted suppliers who have direct links to the company. It is easy to seek assistance if you deal with the company or trusted suppliers, especially in cases of manufacturing error.
- Hire the right transportation service provider when moving the oven. Deal with experts in transporting delicate kitchenware to minimize potential damage.
- You should always work with professional Bosch appliances installers and repairmen for all your repair needs. The right professionals will know how to handle the oven glass without exerting unnecessary pressure and damage.
Note that most of the reasons why oven glass shatters are avoidable. However, some reasons are beyond one’s control. Always read the warranty and understand the coverage just in case some of the reasons are beyond your control.
