Albeit rare, Bosch stove glass exploding or stove top cracking happens when you least expect it.
The Bosch stove top is fragile, especially, if it’s not supported by any frame. You can easily break it by dropping a plate on it.
Fortunately, it is repairable when it breaks. However, the cost of parts and service can start from $500 and $200 respectively.
Understanding how to care for the Bosch stovetop might mean fewer repairs and save you money. As such, learning what cracks the stove top will prevent you from making the mistakes.
This guide explains the reasons why Bosch stove top cracks.
Why is My Bosch Stove Top Oven Cracked?
Exposure To Excessive Heat
One of the main reasons your Bosch Stove top cracked is exposure to excessive heat – temperatures beyond 140 °C. The Bosch stove top is a combination of ceramic and stainless steel materials. As you know, ceramic is delicate, and when under excessive heat, it creates ample stress to crack the glass of the cookware. The same is the case for stainless steel as it is prone to heating up, and when exposed to excessive heat, it deforms structurally and changes the steel’s physical properties.
Some cookware (cast iron and copper) retain heat longer and extend heat exposure to your Bosch stovetop. This creates enough stress to the extent of cracking the glass.
Fix – Use the Right Heat
To ensure that you don’t expose the stove top to excess heat, monitor its heat settings and ensure you don’t put it at more than 140 degrees Celsius.
And if you are cooking something and you want to make sure the dish is ready by a particular time, always bear in mind that food takes longer than expected to cook and, as such, make allowances for this. And even if your food is ready before time, leave it on the glass surface briefly as it would continue cooking.
Remember to use cookware that retains less heat and is a good conductor of heat. Copper and aluminum, for example, can absorb and distribute heat faster than cast iron or stainless steel. So, it would be a perfect choice for stovetop cooking.
Thermal Shock
Thermal shock occurs when you subject your Bosch stove top to rapid and extreme temperature changes. This leads to stress on the ceramic glass material and can result in cracks.
When cooking on your stovetop, the surface heats up due to direct contact with your cookware. The ceramic glass expands once exposed to high-temperature heat. So, when you accidentally cool it by spilling water or placing a cold object on the hot surface of the stove, the stove suddenly contracts unevenly, creating internal stress. The stress then cracks the stovetop.
Fix – Avoid Rapid Temperature Changes
Since rapid temperature changes cause thermal shock, you should avoid spilling cold substances on the stovetop after cooking. If you need to clean or wipe the stove top, wait until it completely cools down. You can also use a heat-resistant mat on your stovetop to prevent your cookware from directly contacting your stove’s surface.
Moreover, you can use cookware that only gets hot slowly, like glass, ceramic, and metal. So that when you pour cold liquid on the cookware, the liquids will avoid direct contact with your stovetop. Also, ensure you don’t fill your cookware to the brim to prevent spillage on the stovetop.
Once you finish cooking, let the glass material cool down before touching it. This will then prevent the internal stress from cracks. Use let-down bars or foldable warmers on your pots and pans when cooking above the stovetop.
Impact Damage
Another reason why your Bosch stove top cracked is an impact damage. When you accidentally drop heavy objects, such as your cookware or utensils, on the glass stove top, your stovetop stress points get triggered, leading to cracks. The more weight and force put on impact damage, the larger your stovetop will crack. These cracks may not only mar your stove’s appearance but also create safety hazards by allowing heat to escape or causing electrical malfunctions.
Fix – Proper Care and Repair
First off, you should always use your Bosch stove top with caution. Avoid dropping heavy cookware, using metal utensils, or striking the surface with complex objects. Also, educate your household members on how to use the stovetop carefully. If the cracks are extensive, call a repair technician to replace the stovetop.
Uneven Heat Distribution
Uneven heat distribution on your Bosch stove top means that the burners or heating elements on your cooktop are not providing consistent heat across the entire cooking surface. This can lead to cracks on the ceramic glass top.
Bosch designs their cooktops with the burners in the center of the cooking surface instead of in the corners. This causes uneven heat distribution on the top. So, when the outer side is cooler than the inner side of the stove, it causes stress on the glass top. This stress cracks the glass top on your Bosch stove.
Fix – Proper Use
To fix cracks on your Bosch Stove Top, you must first correctly position the burners so that they are in the corners of the stove. Next, ensure you only use or turn on a burner if it is very hot and your pan is already heated up and ready to be used in a few seconds. If you’re not prepared, do not turn it on. This will also prevent burns. Take extra care when removing pans so you don’t scratch the glass.
Incorrect Cookware
As earlier mentioned, Bosch stove tops come with high-quality glass-ceramic materials that can withstand heat. That said, when you use incorrect cookware on the stovetop, it can contribute to cracking.
Incorrect cookware includes:
- Pots with materials that unevenly distribute heat, causing localized hotspots on the stovetop. This creates thermal stress and leads to cracks.
- Pots that have uneven bases which create pressure points on your stovetop. Such pots do not flex uniformly when you heat them on the stove, and thus, they increase the risk of your stove top cracking.
- Abrasive cookware with rough and uneven bottoms can scratch your stove top, weaken it in the long run, and eventually lead to cracking.
- Large and heavy cookware that stresses the glass ceramic surface, especially when there’s a significant overhang, causing strain and cracks to the stovetop.
Fix – Use the Right Cookware
Just like many induction cookware manufacturers, Bosch recommends that you use cookware made of materials such as:
- Cast-iron, steel
- Magnetic stainless steel
- Ceramic-clad
- Enameled pots
Such cookware should also have flat bottoms and be lightweight. The good thing about these pots is that they evenly distribute heat. They also come in magnetic materials that induce electrons in the magnet, creating cooking heat.
Spills and Food Debris
As you know, Bosch stove tops come with ceramic glass material that can easily get scratched by debris and spills. If you leave acidic and sugary spills unattended on the stovetop, the spillage will corrode and damage the glass, making it susceptible to cracking.
On the other hand, if you put a dirty pot full of debris on the bottom side, the debris can easily cause cracks on the stovetop.
Fix – Cleaning
The only way to avoid cracks caused by dirt and debris lies in cleaning your cookware thoroughly with warm soap and water. Ensure that the bottom has no dirt and debris after rising and before putting it on top of the stove.
Also, ensure no spills occur when cooking on the stovetop by avoiding filling your cookware to the brim. In case of any spills, wipe them off after the stove cools down. This will keep your stove surface from corrosion and possible future cracks.
Age and Wear
How old is your Bosch stovetop? Like any other appliance, Bosch stove tops wear out with time, no matter how well you maintain it. Most stove tops work effectively for 20 years or less. Beyond this, they start cracking or need to work more effectively.
Fix – Replace
If you have an old Bosch stove top, consider replacing it with a new especially if it has signs or has already cracked. If you repair your old stove, it will soon break down from other issues. So, it’s time for an upgrade.
Manufacturing Defects
Have you ever considered manufacturing defects to be a leading cause of your cracked Bosch stovetop? Well, it is a possible reason. Though rare, you can buy a stovetop that faces defects in the manufacturing process that weaken the glass, making it more susceptible to cracking over time.
In this case, you use the right cookware, clean and well-filled. Yet, after a few use times, your stovetop starts cracking.
Fix – Replace from the Manufacturer
In case of manufacturing defects and your Bosch stove top warranty is still valid, return the appliance to the manufacturer. The company will fix the issue or give you a better stove.
Bosch stove tops are a staple in every household. However, they come with the cons of cracking easily if not used per the manufacturer’s recommendation. Yet, you now have the information on how to use your right to avoid cracks. I hope yours lasts and works well for you.
