Willie Mae Truesdale was startled by a sudden explosion emanating from her kitchen. Upon investigation, she discovered her oven’s glass door shattered into pieces on the floor. The surprising aspect was that her oven was not even in use at the time. Truesdale is not alone, as several homeowners have reported instances of oven doors exploding.
Cheryl, a suburban mom, faced a similar ordeal during the COVID-19 quarantine. Attempting to bake brownies in her three-month-old oven, she realized a temperature discrepancy of about 25 degrees. After calling a professional to fix the appliance post-quarantine, an explosive event occurred during a self-cleaning cycle, causing the inner glass over the door to shatter.
Michelle Wheat experienced a comparable incident where her three-year-old oven’s door shattered, despite it being turned off. Fortunately, none of her four young children were harmed. The incidents were not isolated to a specific brand, with reports spanning Frigidaire, Bosch, and others. The Consumer Product Safety Commission received approximately 450 reports of exploding oven doors since 2019.
Regrettably, all three women faced challenges with manufacturers after the events. Truesdale had to bear the cost of a new door despite her oven being under warranty. Cheryl’s oven was replaced by Bosch after media intervention, while Wheat incurred expenses for repairs after her warranty had expired.
Mark Meshulam from Chicago Window Expert identifies two scenarios for spontaneous oven glass breakage. Soda lime glass, used in oven doors, may break due to its limited tolerance for rapid heating and cooling cycles. Borosilicate glass, more heat-resistant, was historically used in Pyrex and laboratory glassware. Nickel sulfide inclusions, tiny flaws in the glass, may also contribute to explosions, especially during high-heat events like oven cleaning.
Meshulam assures that ovens’ self-cleaning features are generally safe, with microscopic flaws likely causing explosions when the oven is not in use. What makes this alarming is that the door can shatter long after the initial damage occurs.
Prevention Tips:
While some damage may occur during production, shipping, or installation, homeowners can take measures to prevent damage at home. Avoid aggressive cleaning techniques and opt for soft sponges and brushes. Refrain from placing dishes or trays on the oven door while removing food, and avoid slamming or kicking the door closed. Ensure trays and racks are correctly positioned, refrain from using the door to push racks back, and ensure dishes inside the oven do not touch the door. Additionally, avoid hanging wet towels on the handle, as exposing the glass to varying temperatures can weaken it over time