We scoured the Internet for the most asked (but not always clearly answered) questions and search phrases to do with our “hot” products at the moment: heat-resistant glass. (Also known as ‘stove glass’.)
The questions bordered on the technical to the practical. From people wondering how on earth we manufacture glass so tough and heat resistant to how on earth those stubborn black stains of soot can be cleared away using just a damp cloth.
In both cases, we hope we’ve answered your questions clearly and accurately. Enjoy reading, and don’t forget to contact us if you have any further questions. We’d love to hear from you.
How is stove glass heat resistant?
Stove glass is made of what is known as a ‘transparent ceramic’. Glass ceramics are ‘thermally treated’ during the manufacturing phase. The technical way to describe this process would be to say that the glass is sintered during fabrication.
During the sintering process the glass transforms: becoming partly crystalline and part glass. It is these crystals that are responsible for the toughening of the glass. The transformation into a transparent ceramic.
Is glass heat proof?
With exposures of up to 1,400 degrees Celsius, it is fair to say that our heat resistant glass earns its name. At least for most domestic and commercial enterprises.
As for other types of glass, tempered glass is the cheaper alternative to heat resistant glass. Tempered glass is when traditional glass is toughened to make it more resistant to heat. (Usually up to about 240 degrees and about five times stronger.) It goes through similar cycles to increase its durability. The process is a bit like the sintering process of our heat-resistant glass. You can check out our toughened glass products page here.
How to clean stove glass
The first thing to do before cleaning anything is to check the manufacturer’s instructions. This is to make sure there aren’t special cleaning requirements.
The second thing to do is: wait till the glass cools down. Our own impatience can take us by surprise sometimes. Attempting to clean stove glass that is still hot puts the cleaner at risk of injury.
Stove glass is resilient, but you should clean it with care. A microfiber cloth is best for a wipe down, combined with a good stove glass cleaner. Particularly to keep the surface free from unwanted abrasions or blemishes. (This may be particularly important when cleaning stove glass oven ceramics.)
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Cleaning wood burning stove glass
Wood burning can leave stubborn stains on stove glass. A nifty trick is to get a nice soft, damp cloth and dip it into the ash at the bottom of the wood burning stove. Then use the ash to rub away at the dirt on the glass. It may sound counterproductive, or even unbelievable, but ash is not coarse and is great for it. Ash should remove burnt up soot, wood sap, grease, and other grime.
An alternative would be to buy a specialised non-abrasive cleaning agent for your wood burning stove glass.
How to stop stove glass going black
Stove glass often goes black on a wood burner stove thanks to a process known as ‘over-firing’. To prevent the stove glass from blackening, you need to close the airflow down all the way once the fire is established, but then open it back up a little. The wood will burn a little faster, but the burn will produce only light-brown, easy to clean marks. Not stubborn black stains that are difficult to clean. Reducing the marks on the stove glass will require a little bit of experimentation with the restriction of air. Restrict the air until a ‘sweet spot’ can be found, reducing stain-accumulation as much as possible.
Can a glass stove top melt?
Ceramic glass can withstand very high temperatures, so it is far more likely that something else will melt against it. For example, on an oven glass stove top – such as plastic left carelessly on the surface. There are rare cases where pots and pans have ‘fused’ with the top. These can generally be removed without any damage by simply turning the heat back on, filling the pan with water, and twisting/removing it gently. Standard stainless steel and heavy-weight aluminium cookware won’t damage a glass stove top. However, other materials such as cast iron or stoneware may scratch the surface.
For wood burner stove glass: the glass can withstand temperatures far higher than the flames could ever reach.
Can a glass stove top be repaired?
This depends on what you mean by ‘repaired’. Often a cracked or scratched glass stove top won’t prevent the hob from working, but it could look unsightly. Scratches and minor blemishes can be buffed out. But often major cracks cannot be repaired. In that case, it will be easier to organise a replacement.
Can you replace stove glass?
The short answer: yes. Replacement stove glass is a service that most credible glaziers offer. In fact, we have an entire product page dedicated to our stock and supply of quality heat resistant glass and stove glass. Glass that is perfect for stove doors and other applications. Are you are looking for stove glass replacement panels that can be cut to any size and shape? Then don’t hesitate to get in touch so we can run through the process together.
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We hope this Q&A has covered the relevant questions relating to stove glass and heat resistant glass. If there’s anything you think we have overlooked, or would like to discuss further, then please let us know.
Thank you for reading.
