Can you replace the glass top on a stove

It was most definitely an accident. You dropped a jar or a can, and oops! You now have a crack on your glass cooktop. It is frustrating and a crack in the wrong spot can become a shock hazard. While there are plenty of ways you can investigate to repair the glass top itself, the most effective way to deal with cracks is to replace the entire glass top. If this is what you have chosen to do, here’s how to get it installed. These are generalized instructions and these steps can vary based on the model and manufacturer of the cooktop.

Before beginning, shut off the electricity to your stove by either unplugging it or shutting it off at the circuit breaker. Now you will need to remove the old glass. On ranges, you will find screws to do so. On built-in cooktops, you will need to pull the cooktop out of the counter cutout and unthread the screws on the side. You will also need to disconnect the wires at the junction box before you can pull it out completely.

If you have multiple deep cracks, you need to be very careful when you remove the old glass top. The deeper the crack is, the more likely it becomes that shattering or another breakage can occur. Getting small glass shards out of the inner workings underneath is not easy and can be dangerous to exposed hands.

You will need to lift the old glass top up very slowly so you can disconnect the wire harness underneath. Afterward, the old glass panel can be removed and the new one can be put on. You will want to position it, at first, like it is the open hood of a car. This will allow you to line up two of the edges and easily connect the wire harness. As you lower it down, you can make sure it is in the proper position on all sides so you can secure it and reinstall it.

Glasstop stoves are beautiful. They are smooth and convenient. Transitioning from burner to stove surface is easy and that shiny surface makes your kitchen looks pristine. But over time, the glass can become damaged. Glass tops don’t stay pristine forever and eventually, you will want to replace it. This repair involves electric components, but the glasstop itself is not electric. It’s a conductive cover for the burners mounted beneath. Not everyone realizes this. Replacing your glasstop is actually surprisingly easy. 

The following instructions are generalized and can vary by model and brand. These instructions do not apply to induction style cooktops.

Supplies

The first thing you need to complete this replacement is the right supplies. Having your supplies together before you start ensures that you can complete the entire repair from start to finish. Be very careful in selecting your new glass stovetop to fit your current stove.

• Screwdrivers, both types
• Work Gloves
• Sturdy Prop, ex: a 2×4

Safety Precautions

The next step to take is to take care of safety. As we mentioned, the glass cooktop is not itself electric, but you will be interacting with the burners that are electric. So it will be necessary to take safety precautions to prevent shock, and from cutting yourself on the internal panels of the oven.

– Unplug the Stove

Start by unplugging the stove in order to cut the power. If you can’t reach the plug, flip the breaker instead. You don’t need to pull the stove out for this repair.

– Wear Work Gloves

The inside of any appliance is likely to have sharp edges. The inner panels and the sides of the outer panels can be sharp because they are not sanded for consumer use. Wear work gloves to protect your hands. 

Unfasten the Cooktop

– Open the Oven Door

To begin removing the glass cooktop, open the oven door. You’ll need to do this to access the underside of the cooktop.

– Remove the Mounting Screws Under the Lip

Look underneath the lip of the cooktop, in the space exposed by the open door. You will see two or more screws holding the cooktop in place. Remove them and set them aside. 

Lift the Glasstop

– Pull the Top Forward

Stand and grasp the cooktop from the sides and the back corners. Pull the entire cooktop section forward and feel it slide forward ontop of the rest of the stove frame. It will feel like it is unlocking.

– Lift and Wiggle

Carefully lift the front edge and wiggle the stovetop until the top tabs come loose from underneath the control console.

– Lift the Top Up Like a Lid

When you feel the top come loose, lift the front as if you were opening a hinged box.

– Prop the Top Open

Grab your prop, a sturdy stick or a 2×4 to hold the cooktop open while you work. 

Remove the Burners

– Unfasten the Mounting Bars

You will see two rows of burners (or more) fastened with bar-like brackets along the underside of the glasstop. The burners are connected to the rest of the stove by wires. Unfasten the mounting bars and brackets using your screwdriver.

– Carefully Set Down the Burners

With each mounting bar you unfasten, carefully lower the attached burners onto the top of the oven, just below the cooktop. Lay down a towel if necessary. 

Remove the Glasstop

– Lift the Glasstop Away From the Stove

Now you’re ready to fully remove the old glass stovetop which is completely loose from the rest of the structure.  Start by removing the prop. Then lift the glasstop away by lifting and backing up at the same time. Be very careful, as the part can be heavy.

– Set the Glasstop on a Towel

When you pull the glass cooktop free, set it down on a towel you have laid out on a table or on the floor. You’re not quite done with it.

– Remove the Tabs

There are two metal tabs connected to the back of your old glasstop. Use your screwdriver to remove them, as they are a part of the mounting infrastructure for the stove. 

Install the New Glasstop

– Install the Tabs on the New Glasstop

Use a pair of pliers to bend the tabs back into a right angle if they are slightly obtuse. Then use the same screws to reattach those tabs to the same spots on the new glasstop you are ready to install.

– Fit the Glasstop Onto the Stove

With the tabs in place, grasp the new glasstop from the front and walk toward your stove. Carefully fit the new glasstop back into the same position that the old glasstop was just in. Don’t fit tightly yet, you still need to attach the burners.

– Prop Up the Glasstop

Lift the front end of your glass stovetop and prop it up with your sturdy stick or piece of wood.

– Fasten the Burners

Pick up your burners one bar-bracket at a time. Carefully lift the burner bar into place and secure it with the same screws that held the burners attached to the old glass top. Attach as many bars of burners as necessary. 

Secure the Glasstop

– Fit the Glasstop Over the Top of the Stovetop

Now that the burners are secure, remove your prop and lower the stovetop. As it gets near to level, firmly fit the glass cooktop over the edges of the stove frame. It may take a little bit of time to fit the cooktop over the rest of the stove.

– Slide the Glasstop Back Firmly

Once the cooktop is properly set, it’s time to slide it back. It may take some force so firmly yet carefully shove the new glass cooktop into place, making sure the tabs fit underneath the control console.

– Reattach Fastening Screws Under the Edge

When the cooktop is in place, open the oven door again and return the screws that hold the cooktop in place. 

Test Your Success

You are finally ready to take your repair for a trial run. Plug the oven back in and prepare to cook something. If your glass cooktop looks pristine and everything works as planned, then pat yourself on the back for a wonderful job well done. This repair was complex and you achieved it.

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