Glass kettles are one of the most popular kitchen tools. They’re functional, elegant, and easy to clean, but do they break too easily?
In this article, we’ll explore how durable these kettles are and look at some basic facts about them.
Why Glass Kettles Break Easily:
Glass kettles can break easily if you drop them or knock them into something. Most electric kettles are not dishwasher safe, either, and glass kettles can shatter in a dishwasher. Glass kettles can also weaken over time after many uses.
Why is it Common for Glass Kettles to Break?
Glass kettles are beautiful, but they’re also delicate. They break easily and can chip or crack if you don’t care for them properly.
Here are some common reasons for glass kettles breaking:
Being Dropped on a Hard Surface
Dropping glass kettles is one of the most common causes of them breaking.
It will most likely shatter if you drop your kettle on a hard surface.
Not Dishwasher Safe
Some glass kettles are not meant to be cleaned in dishwashers.
The dishwasher’s high temperatures and harsh chemicals can cause your glass kettle to break more easily. While some manufacturers make dishwasher-safe kettles, it’s always best to check with them before putting your kettle in the dishwasher.
Overuse
Another cause of broken kettles is that they have been in use for a long time. Glass kettles are typically made of tempered glass, which means they can withstand high temperatures.
However, even the toughest materials will deteriorate with repeated use over time.
Heating and Cooling Too Rapidly
Glass kettles can also break if heated too quickly.
It has a high thermal expansion coefficient, making it more susceptible to thermal shock than other materials, such as stainless steel.
When you heat the glass to the boiling point, it expands and rapidly cools as you remove it from the heat source. Therefore, the glass may crack or shatter during use if you do not allow this expansion by slowly heating and cooling.
Prolonged Exposure to High Temperatures
When glass kettles are exposed to a high flame for an extended period, the heat causes them to expand at different rates.
Depending on where they are in the pan, the bottom will expand faster than the top because it is closer to the hot burner underneath.
When this repeatedly occurs over time, cracks can form in the base of your kettle, eventually leading up to its lid or handle area. They become visible as cracks or breaks within days or weeks of continuous use at high temperatures.
Do All Glass Kettles Break Easily?
Many contemporary glass kettles are crafted from different types of glass than their predecessors, with greater heat resistance and durability.
Some glass kettles are made of thicker material, such as borosilicate or tempered glass. These types tend to be more resistant to breaking when dropped or bumped against something.
The point at which they would shatter depends on other factors like the shape and type of stovetop used in your kitchen.
Other varieties are specifically designed for induction stoves, which generate extremely high temperatures compared with conventional electric or gas ranges. This means your kettle will get hotter faster than usual and thus require even more care when handling.
Why Do Some Glass Kettles Break More Easily than Others?
Several factors can contribute to a glass kettle breaking more easily than others:
First, it’s important to consider the glass quality used in making your kettle. Cheaper kettles are made with thinner glass than expensive ones, which may break more easily under pressure or when dropped on the floor.
Second, consider how thick the walls of your kettle are.
Thicker walls reduce the chance of chipping or cracking during normal use and make them less likely to break if accidentally dropped on hard surfaces such as tile floors or concrete driveways.
Third, ensuring you’re using the right water to heat your kettle is important. Some types of water may cause corrosion over time, forming cracks between layers of glass and within individual pieces along their edges.
Can Anything Be Done To Prevent a Glass Kettle from Breaking?
You can do some things to prevent your glass kettle from breaking. The first thing is to always check the temperature of your water before pouring it into the kettle.
If, for some reason, the water is too hot, it will cause the glass to expand and crack. You should also avoid filling the kettle beyond its maximum capacity, which can cause the glass to shatter as it heats and expands.
Another thing you can do is get a kettle with a rubber gasket around the lid. This will help keep air pressure inside the kettle even when you’re pouring hot liquids into it, which can cause them to boil over and break.
Also, check if your kettle is dishwasher safe before putting it in the dishwasher. The manufacturer usually prints this information at the bottom of your product.
If you don’t see anything stating it is dishwasher safe, DON’T wash it in the dishwasher.
If you want to clean your kettle by hand, use some warm water and a sponge with soap to gently wash off any dirt or grime that may have accumulated on the inside surface of your kettle.
This will help keep any scratches at bay as well. Moreover, tap water contains minerals that will build up inside your kettle over time, causing stress cracks and breaking it down completely. Using distilled water instead will prevent this.
Since distilled water lacks these minerals, you can use the kettle repeatedly without incurring any damage.
What Should Be Done If a Glass Kettle Does Break?
If a glass kettle does break, it is important to remember that the first step is to be safe. Clean any cuts on your hands or fingers before handling any broken glassware.
Next, you should gather all of the pieces of broken glass into a single pile and place them in a container, like a large plastic bag.
If there are any sharp edges or pieces that could potentially cut someone else, make sure to cover them completely with something soft so they cannot cause injury when handled by another person.
Once the glass has been gathered, it’s time to clean up the mess. A broom and dustpan will be useful for sweeping up any small bits of broken glass that might be scattered throughout your kitchen floor.
You’ll also want to use a cleaner to wipe down all surfaces where water might have spilled.
Are There Any Benefits to Using a Glass Kettle Instead of a Metal One?
Glass kettles are a popular alternative to metal ones.
They are a great choice for anyone with concerns about metal kettles, such as the possibility of limescale buildup and the difficulty of cleaning. Glass kettles also have a sophisticated design, making them more aesthetically pleasing than their metal counterparts.
Finally, they allow you to see the water level inside the kettle at all times, so you don’t have any unpleasant substances when you pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee.