Could This Common Mistake Cause Your Glass Stovetop To Shatter?

Things can get hectic when cooking in the kitchen, and sometimes you just need to get a hot lid out of the way. Many people set hot pot lids on the stove while stirring the scrumptious dishes that they're working on. Unfortunately, this is a recipe for disaster if you have a glass-top stove. While you may have gotten away with placing a hot lid on a ceramic glass-top stove before, your luck will run out sooner rather than later. When you place a hot lid on a glass stove, you can end up shattering the surface, which can lead to a costly replacement. 

Although glass stovetops can withstand high temperatures, placing a hot lid facedown traps heat between the lid and the surface of the stovetop. This creates a vacuum seal that will shatter the stovetop glass by expelling air once the lid is removed. If you want to avoid cracking your glass stovetop and dealing with the repercussions of doing so, look for a better place to set your hot lid instead.

So where should you put down a hot lid instead of a glass stovetop? The ideal solution is to set down a pot holder, kitchen mitten, or dish towel first and then place the hot lid on top of it. You may also want to just place the hot lid directly into the sink if you're done using it.

Keep in mind that this issue typically only occurs when you place a lid face down, where air can get trapped and create a vacuum. If you place it upside down with the handle facing down, then you're unlikely to experience these issues. In this configuration, the hot lid won't trap any moisture or air and your glass stovetop will likely be safe from harm. However, it's always ideal to avoid this as well and to add a towel or pot holder for extra safety.

Not only should you be careful with the placement of hot lids on a glass stove, but you also need to avoid sudden movements. Always lift pots and pans when changing their position rather than sliding them across the stovetop to prevent scratching. Although there are ways to get scratches off your glass cooktop with a handy bathroom staple, avoid causing any damage in the first place. You should also avoid storing any heavy objects or cookware on your stove that could cause a lot of pressure or fall onto the glass. Try to be gentle on your glass stove at all times and carefully maneuver any objects that you use on it.

It's also wise to avoid certain types of cookware. Copper and enamel pots may deposit residue on your glass stovetop that could end up damaging it eventually, and heavy items such as cast iron, porcelain, and ceramic cookware are best avoided due to their roughness and weight, which could lead to scratches. If you use these, do so carefully to avoid scratching, and keep all pots and pans clean before placing them on your stove.

After using your stove, clean it thoroughly. Taking the time to remove residue and clean up food spills will help keep your glass stovetop in great condition. Consider learning about some of the easy ways to clean glass stovetops with vinegar and other household items, guaranteed to keep your workspace spic and span.