Willie Mae Truesdale was stunned by a loud bang echoing from her kitchen. Rushing to investigate, she found her glass oven door shattered into pieces across the floor. “It was shocking—you really had to see it to believe it,” she recalled. “Glass was everywhere, all over the floor.” What made it even more perplexing? Her oven wasn’t even in use at the time. Unfortunately, Truesdale isn’t alone—many homeowners have reported the baffling phenomenon of exploding glass oven doors.

Shattered Glass Oven Doors: A Growing Issue

Cheryl, a suburban mom, had a similar experience during the COVID-19 lockdown. She was baking brownies when she noticed they were undercooked in the center. Despite being just three months old, her oven’s temperature was off by about 25 degrees. Planning to have it repaired after quarantine, she decided to run the self-cleaning cycle in the meantime. As the cycle was finishing, a loud explosion rang out, leaving the inner glass of the oven door shattered.

Michelle Wheat also faced a similar ordeal—her oven door shattered spontaneously, even though it wasn’t turned on. Thankfully, none of her four young children were injured by the flying shards. Her oven, made by Frigidaire, suffered the same issue as Cheryl’s Bosch oven. However, these incidents aren’t limited to any specific brand. Since 2019, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received around 450 reports of glass oven doors unexpectedly shattering.

The Aftermath: Homeowners Face Unexpected Costs

Dealing with the aftermath of these incidents has been just as frustrating for homeowners. Truesdale’s oven was still under warranty, but when a Frigidaire technician inspected it, they blamed her family for the explosion—even though the oven wasn’t in use. She ultimately had to pay out of pocket to replace the glass door. Meanwhile, after NBC reached out, Bosch replaced Cheryl’s damaged oven.

For Wheat, the situation was even more frustrating. Since her oven was out of warranty, she had to pay a $100 service fee for a technician, who simply confirmed that the glass needed replacement. The new door cost her an additional $314. Frigidaire suggested she purchase an extended warranty to cover future incidents. “This shouldn’t have happened in the first place,” she said. “That was the point I was trying to make.”

Why Do Glass Oven Doors Shatter?

Mark Meshulam, a glass expert from Chicago Window Expert, explains that two main factors contribute to glass oven doors shattering. “One type of oven glass is soda lime glass, which is basically window glass that has been tempered through rapid heating and cooling,” he said. “The other type is borosilicate glass, which is more heat-resistant and commonly used in lab equipment or older Pyrex glass.” The transition to soda lime glass in modern ovens has led to an increase in these incidents since it’s less tolerant of high heat cycles.

Another possible cause is a microscopic defect in the glass known as a nickel sulfide inclusion. “It’s only about a tenth of a millimeter in diameter,” Meshulam explained. “This tiny ball has unique properties that can eventually cause the glass to fail. High heat events, such as an oven’s self-cleaning cycle, can trigger this defect, leading to spontaneous breakage.”

Although these explanations may seem concerning, Meshulam reassures homeowners that self-cleaning ovens are generally safe. “Most people will use the self-cleaning function throughout their lifetime without encountering this issue,” he noted. However, small chips or defects in the glass can cause it to shatter—even when the oven isn’t in use. What’s even more troubling is that the glass can break long after the initial damage occurs.

How to Minimize the Risk of Shattering Glass

While homeowners can’t control factory defects, shipping issues, or installation mishaps, they can take steps to reduce the risk of damage to their oven doors. Proper maintenance and handling can go a long way in preserving the integrity of the glass.

• Use gentle cleaning tools – Avoid abrasive cleaners or scouring pads that can create tiny scratches or weaken the glass. Instead, use soft sponges or microfiber cloths.
• Handle the door with care – Never slam or kick the oven door shut, as this can create microfractures that grow over time.
• Avoid placing heavy objects on the door – Don’t rest heavy pans or dishes on the oven door while removing food, as this can put stress on the glass.
• Keep dishes from touching the door – When baking, make sure trays and dishes aren’t pressed against the glass.
• Avoid hanging wet towels on the handle – The added weight and moisture can contribute to weakening the glass over time.
• Prevent extreme temperature changes – Sudden shifts in temperature, such as splashing cold water on a hot glass door, can increase the likelihood of breakage.

Final Thoughts

Exploding glass oven doors are a rare but serious issue that has affected hundreds of homeowners. While manufacturers and experts continue to investigate the causes, understanding the risks and taking preventive measures can help reduce the chances of experiencing this unsettling problem. For those who do encounter such an event, pushing for accountability from manufacturers is crucial to ensuring consumer safety and satisfaction.