Imagine hearing a loud explosion in your kitchen, only to find your oven door shattered into pieces on the floor. That’s exactly what happened to Willie Mae Truesdale. She couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw the glass scattered all around her kitchen. What’s even scarier is that her oven wasn’t even turned on at the time. And she’s not alone.

Cheryl, a suburban mom, had a similar terrifying experience during the COVID-19 quarantine. While trying to bake brownies, she noticed that her oven’s temperature was about 25 degrees off. But the real shock came when she decided to put it on a self-cleaning cycle. Towards the end of the cycle, there was a loud explosion and the inner glass door shattered right inside the oven.

Michelle Wheat also encountered an oven door explosion, leaving her kitchen covered in broken glass. Like Truesdale and Cheryl, Wheat’s oven was not in use when this happened. It’s alarming to realize that this problem isn’t limited to a specific brand. Frigidaire, Bosch, and various other brands have also had reports of exploding glass oven doors. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has received around 450 reports about such incidents since 2019.

Unfortunately, these three women faced challenges when dealing with the manufacturers after the explosions. Truesdale had to pay for a new door out of pocket, even though her oven was still under warranty. Frigidaire’s technician blamed the family for the explosion, despite the oven being turned off. On the other hand, Bosch replaced Cheryl’s oven after NBC intervened. Wheat’s oven was no longer under warranty, leaving her to pay for the technicians’ services and the replacement door. Frigidaire’s solution was to suggest buying an extended warranty for potential future occurrences.

So, what causes oven doors to shatter? Mark Meshulam of Chicago Window Expert explains that there are two possible scenarios. Some ovens use soda lime glass, the same type of glass used for windows. It is heated and cooled rapidly to become tempered, but it is not as tolerant of thermal cycles. The other type is borosilicate glass, used in laboratory glassware or old-time Pyrex. Borosilicate glass can withstand heat and cold more effectively. The shift to soda lime glass has increased the chances of these types of breaks occurring.

Another reason for the explosions is a flaw called nickel sulfide inclusion, which is a tiny imperfection in the glass. Over time, this flaw may try to release its stored energy, and a high-heat event like the oven cleaning cycle can trigger a spontaneous failure.

However, Meshulam assures us that the self-cleaning feature of ovens is generally safe. He believes that microscopic chips and flaws are to blame for oven explosions when they aren’t even turned on. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that the shattered door may not happen immediately after the initial damage occurs, which adds an extra layer of fear to the situation.

To prevent these incidents, there are a few things homeowners can keep in mind. While there may be situations beyond our control during production, shipping, or installation, we can still take steps to avoid damage at home. One way is to avoid aggressive cleaning techniques that can cause microscopic scratches or chips on the glass. Additionally, being mindful of not subjecting the oven to excessive physical impact can also help prevent these issues.

In conclusion, the exploding glass oven door phenomenon is a real concern for homeowners. It’s crucial for manufacturers to acknowledge and address this issue promptly. And for those who have experienced such incidents, it’s essential to persist in seeking appropriate solutions from the manufacturers. After all, everyone deserves a safe and reliable cooking experience in their own homes.