What usually causes it
- Impact. Dropped pots, lids or jars cause most cracks and chips, especially near edges.
- Thermal shock. Putting a cold, wet pan on a very hot zone, or spilling cold water on a hot surface.
- Sugar spills. Melted sugar bonds to the glass and can pull out pieces as it cools.
- Uneven support. A cooktop not seated evenly in the counter cutout stresses the glass.
Cracked glass cooktop
A cracked glass top is unsafe to use, especially if liquid can reach the elements.
Check first: Turn it off at the breaker and do not use it.
Safe checks you can do
- Turn the cooktop off at the breaker if the crack runs through a cooking zone.
- Do not clean liquid into the crack.
- Find the model number, usually on a tag under the cooktop or on the front frame of a range.
- Wipe up sugary spills right away and use a cooktop scraper for burned-on food.
Parts that fail most often
- Replacement glass tops are made for specific models, and many include the frame.
- Elements under a cracked top can be damaged by spills.
How your home affects it
In older homes
Older homes in the Houston area often have smaller kitchens and laundry closets built for smaller appliances, older wiring, and shut-off valves that have not been turned in years. Older ranges and gas lines deserve a careful check, and some older kitchens share a circuit between appliances.
In new construction
Newer homes in the Houston area usually come with builder-grade appliances, and many early problems are installation issues rather than failed parts. A missing anti-tip bracket or a gas range that was never converted correctly can cause problems from day one.
In apartments and condos
In apartments, condos and townhomes around the Houston area, space is tight and the building often has its own rules for access, parking and shut-off valves. Compact and slide-in ranges are common, often on a single small circuit.
In garages
Plenty of homes in the Houston area keep a second fridge, a freezer or the laundry in the garage, where summer heat regularly passes 100°F. Outdoor and garage cooking setups see more heat, dust and humidity than kitchen ranges.
During storm season
Storm season around the Houston area brings power outages, surges and sometimes flooding, and appliances often show problems right after the lights come back on. Surges can damage oven controls and igniters. If a gas appliance was underwater, do not use it until it is inspected.
When to call for repair
- Any crack or chip in a cooking zone.
- A crack that grows or spreads.
- Liquid has gotten under the glass.
If a glass cooktop is cracked, turn it off at the breaker. If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas utility from outside.
Need help? We do cooktop repair across Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. Call (832) 345-9300, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Every repair comes with a 1-year warranty on labor.
Common questions
What usually causes this?
The most common causes are impact, thermal shock, sugar spills and uneven support.
Is it safe to keep using the cooktop?
If a glass cooktop is cracked, turn it off at the breaker. If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas utility from outside.
When should I call for cooktop repair?
Any crack or chip in a cooking zone. A crack that grows or spreads. Liquid has gotten under the glass.
Do you repair this in my area?
We repair cooktops in homes across Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. Call (832) 345-9300, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Every repair comes with a 1-year warranty on labor.