What Makes the Glass Cover on a Flat-Surfaced Stove Crack?

Pan Size

• If you regularly use a pan too large for the burner, you risk cracking the glass or shortening the life of the burner. Avoid using pans more than 1 inch larger than the burner. When you use an oversized pan, heat traps between the pan and glass surface. This causes the heating element to overheat. The excessive heat might cause the glass to crack. It can also cause the unit to cycle off and on as it distributes heat unevenly, which wears out the element.

Lids

• Many people consider the cooktop to be a giant hot plate. When guests arrive for a potluck dinner, placing the hot dishes on the cooktop is common practice. When cooking on the stove, you probably don’t think twice about setting the hot lid from the pan directly on the cooktop. Yet, sometimes a hot object placed on the cooktop can cause the glass to crack. This is especially true for hot lids. If you place a hot lid on the cooktop and allow it to cool there, air traps between the lid and glass surface. It is possible to crack the glass top when you attempt to move the cooled lid.

Careless

• If you slide pots and pans across the glass surface, you risk scratching the cooktop. Pick up the pans and move them to the desired location instead of sliding. Yet, when you set the pan down, do it gently. Slamming the pan on the countertop can crack the glass.

Storage

• Avoid storing heavy objects above the cooktop, such as cans, jars and heavy cookware. A common reason for a crack in a glass cooktop is basic: When a heavy object falls on glass, glass can break. Consider this possibility when designing your kitchen and storing items around the stove.