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How to Protect Your Glass Stove from Cracks

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Use These Tips to Keep Your Electric Stove Looking its Best

Having an electric stove can be a great way to freshen up the look of your kitchen. These appliances have a sleek, modern look that will suit any interior. Electric stoves are also more energy efficient than gas-powered stoves. Despite their benefits, glass stoves can easily crack over time, which will ruin the look of your kitchen. Learn why glass stoves tend to crack and what you can do to prevent it.

What Causes Electric Stoves to Crack?

Electric stoves run on electricity. The power runs through a series of coils that lay just beneath the glass. The heat is then transferred through the glass to the pan, so your food can cook. The glass is designed to be durable enough to withstand everyday bumps and nicks, but it can break for two reasons:

  • Damage from Pots and Pans

If you drop or slam your cookware against the glass, it could lead to a fracture. Dragging your pans across the surface can also lead to damage. This can create micro-scratches that reduce the integrity of the glass, making it more likely to crack.

  • Temperature Changes

Your stove is designed to heat up and cool down as needed, but dramatic, sudden shifts in temperature can cause the glass to crack. This is what’s known as thermal shock. It usually happens when you place a scalding hot pan or pot onto a cold burner. The sudden shock can damage the underlying surface.

How to Prevent Cracks and Damage

Now that you know what causes these cracks to occur, you can change your behavior in the kitchen to make sure your glass stove stays intact.

  • Use the Proper Cookware

If you are wary of damaging your glass stove, use lightweight stainless-steel or aluminum pots that are specifically designed to work with these types of appliances. The pans should have a smooth, flat bottom to avoid scrapping and chipping. When in doubt, avoid using copper and enameled pots that tend to have rough exteriors. Cast iron and ceramic tend to be extremely dense, so go with a lighter pot instead. Avoid storing cookware and heavy objects over the stove in case they fall.

  • Let It Cool

You should always make sure your heated pots and pans have been allowed to cool before setting them down on a room temperature burner. Put the hot pan on a hot pad or the same burner you just used to avoid cracking the surface.

  • Keep It Clean

Not cleaning your burners will only make them more vulnerable to cracks. Be sure to clean off the surface of your stove with a sponge after each meal. Let the stove cool before wiping it down.

Don’t forget to clean the undersides of your pots and pans as well. Food and other debris can cling to the sides, which increases the risk of damage.

Your glass stovetop may stop working all together if it becomes cracked or damaged. Contact Absolute Appliance Repair in San Rafeal to replace your damaged stovetop right away, so you can get back to cooking delicious meals at home.