Cooker Worktop Imploded

Tetley2 · May 25, 2017

I stepped inside my van at midday today and was shocked to find the glass worktop over the cooker had imploded spraying glass all over the hob and living area.
The glass has never been mistreated or put down whilst the burners were hot and it was not cracked either.
Yes, the van was warm inside but it's been a lot warmer and I had the blinds down to keep the worst of the sun out. Don't know if it was due to heat build up but can't see any other reason why it should suddenly go.
Lucky it did not happen whilst we were inside!
It's out of warranty, but I rang VW customer services anyway due to the nature of the problem (safety) who redirected me to a dealer.
So, just be aware.

Hotel California · May 25, 2017

Very bad news , it has happend before

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/shattered-glass-cooker-cover.11541/#post-110313

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/exploded-kitchen-worktop.10939/

Makes me wonder if i should put a foil on it to keep the pieces together if it should happen.

WelshGas · May 25, 2017

Tetley2 said:
I stepped inside my van at midday today and was shocked to find the glass worktop over the cooker had imploded spraying glass all over the hob and living area.
The glass has never been mistreated or put down whilst the burners were hot and it was not cracked either.
Yes, the van was warm inside but it's been a lot warmer and I had the blinds down to keep the worst of the sun out. Don't know if it was due to heat build up but can't see any other reason why it should suddenly go.
Lucky it did not happen whilst we were inside!
It's out of warranty, but I rang VW customer services anyway due to the nature of the problem (safety) who redirected me to a dealer.
So, just be aware.

Sorry to hear this. Has been mentioned before. That's why those vinyl covers, either coloured or frosted are useful. Keeps the glass fragments together.

Ajspicer · May 27, 2017

Our worktop protectors are not intended for this purpose but would save lots of mess if fitted.

Andrew.

Tetley2 · May 27, 2017

I wonder if the glass has been subjected to some minor impact in the past thereby creating a weak spot? Whilst I do not recall any particular incident, I cannot rule out the possibilty of something slipping through my fingers, maybe a ceramic mug or bottle for example. So, maybe the temperature alone was not the cause. I'll never know.

WelshGas · May 27, 2017

Tetley2 said:
I wonder if the glass has been subjected to some minor impact in the past thereby creating a weak spot? Whilst I do not recall any particular incident, I cannot rule out the possibilty of something slipping through my fingers, maybe a ceramic mug or bottle for example. So, maybe the temperature alone was not the cause. I'll never know.

More likely caused by differential expansion where part was in Sun and part in Shade.

2into1 · May 28, 2017

WelshGas said:
More likely caused by differential expansion where part was in Sun and part in Shade.

Should be helped by the split top from MY18!

Grumpy Mike · May 28, 2017

I used to work for a very exclusive orangery company and know of such things happening. There is a minor imperfection in the glass, cant be seen cant be screened out in manufacture. It causes tension and at any time can just pop. I think it was just with tempered glass which this would be.

So dont beat yourself up. Whatever you did or did not do probably had nothing to do with the glass shattering.. Yes those protectors would save the "explosion" of pieces and keep it all together but nothing can prevent it. Luckily its reasonably rare.

DM · May 28, 2017

I had a sunroof implode on a brand new Volvo whilst driving on the motorway in Belgium. Made a hell of a bang. Fortunately the blind below it was closed or the car would have filled with glass. Volvo attempted to deny any responsibility at first but came around when I got bolshy. Good job as they had to strip all of the roof lining to get all the bits of glass out - it took days!

Trebor · May 28, 2017

Has anyone fitted the stainless steel worktop covers from the Club Shop ?

Digger · May 28, 2017

Yes. The stainless steel covers are easily fitted and easy to clean. You still have to remember there is glass beneath but more confident placing heavier items on top. IMHO well worth the money.

T6 CFO · May 28, 2017

Got them fitted and like them.

Some good pics in this thread

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/stainless-steel-worktop-protectors.13935/page-2

Mike

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Zebedee · May 29, 2017

I had the fridge work top explode over me whilst I lay in bed beside it a couple of years ago. It was 6am and not a hot day. Afraid there are a few if us on here. No joy on claiming on the warranty. It is still a rare problem fortunately.

bigmac77 · May 29, 2017

Grumpy Mike said:
I used to work for a very exclusive orangery company and know of such things happening. There is a minor imperfection in the glass, cant be seen cant be screened out in manufacture. It causes tension and at any time can just pop. I think it was just with tempered glass which this would be.

So dont beat yourself up. Whatever you did or did not do probably had nothing to do with the glass shattering.. Yes those protectors would save the "explosion" of pieces and keep it all together but nothing can prevent it. Luckily its reasonably rare.

We had it happen to a shower screen door at 3am it nearly gave me a heart attack.