How to Replace Broken Glass on a Glass-Top Stove

Glasstop stoves are both beautiful and functional. The glass offers an even distribution of heat, is elegant-looking, and is far easier to clean than traditional electric stove elements. Of course, glass does occasionally need to be replaced. Even with modern glass molding and tempering technology, the occasional break or bad scratch can occur and you may want to replace the entire piece of glass. Fortunately, this repair is not nearly as difficult as it sounds.

Almost anyone can replace their own glass for a glass top stove, provided you have the right glass to install in its place. Let’s dive into the step-by-step process. 

Order a New Glass Top

Start by having the right glass for the job. Look up your stovetop’s brand and then identify its model number. From there, you can look up the exact part numbers that can be ordered to get the same glass panel brand-new. This way, you can be sure that your new stovetop glass is the right size, has all the right markings, and is equipped with the right holes for the installation mounting screws.

Order your part and when it arrives, you can start your repair.  The follow steps are generalized and can vary by model and brand of your product.

Gather Your Tools

Now get the rest of your tools and supplies together. Fortunately, this repair is simple and straight-forward.

• Screwdrivers
• Hex Driver
• Work Gloves
• Replacement Glass

Prepare to Repair

Get yourself, your stove, and your kitchen ready to perform this repair.

• Cut the Power
  • Start by unplugging your stove from the wall. This repair will interact with electrical components, and it’s better to be safe when you’re dealing with electricity. Cutting the power can help to prevent shocks sent to you or the stove. If you can’t reach the plug, flip the breaker instead.
• Lay Out a Towel
  • When you remove the broken or scratched glasstop, it will need a safe place to go. Lay out a towel on a nearby table or countertop to be your receiving area.
• Put On the Work Gloves
  • The edges of the glass and the internal metal components can be sharp to handle. Wear well-fitted work gloves to protect your hands from cratches without hindering your finger mobility too much.

Release and Lift the Cooktop

The cooktop will lift up like a trap door so that you can work underneath it. But first, we need to release the front end of the glass.

• Open the Oven Door
  • Open your oven and look upward from the door compartment. Here you should see two to six mounting screws designed to hold the cooktop to the stove from the underside.
• Remove Mounting Screws Under Stovetop Lip
  • Take your screwdriver or a hex driver to remove the screws under the lip. Set the mounting screws aside somewhere retrievable.
• Lift up the Cooktop
  • When all the screws are removed, stand and gently lift the cooktop from the stove or counter base. There may be an additional clip to release in some models.
• Prop the Cooktop Open
  • Use something sturdy and longer than one foot to prop the glass cooktop open. Be sure not to damage the oven or the insulation inside the cabinet.

Uninstall the Underside Burners

You should see four to six burner elements attached to the underside of your glass cooktop in brackets. These will need to be removed before you can change out the glass.

• Lay a Towel Over the Oven Top
  • To protect the oven top, lay a towel over the oven and/or the interior insulation while you move burners and glass around.
• Release the Mounting Screws
  • Carefully support the element brackets from the underside and remove the mounting screws. Catch the screws and place them to the side nearby and quickly retrievable.
• Detach the Element Brackets
  • When the mounting screws are removed, gently lower the element brackets away from the glass. You do not need to disconnect their wire harnesses.
• Lay the Brackets Down Gently
  • Lay the element brackets on your towel that covers the oven and insulation.

Extract the Old Glass

With the heating element brackets removed, the glass is now officially free of constriction. You will need to loose, lower, and pull away the glasstop to remove it.

• Remove the Prop
  • Support the glass careful and remove the item you are using to prop it up.
• Lower the Glass
  • Lower the front of the glass cooktop so that it is nearly flat. You should be able to see the slots where the glass can slide out.
• Pull Straight Out of the Back Slots
  • Hold the glass cooktop from the sides and pull firmly until the glass comes free from the back panel slots.
• Set Old Glass on Toweled Surface
  • Carefully lift the glass away from your stove. Move it to your prepared surface and place the old cooktop glass on the towel.

Install the New Glass

Now you are ready to install the new, undamaged glass cooktop and put your stove back together.

• Align New Glass  with the Stove
  • Grasp the new glass cooktop so that the printed burner indicators are facing up and you are holding the front edge. Walk to the stove and carefully align the new glass over the top. 
• Push-In and Settle the Glass
  • Fit the back of the glass panel into the slots in the stove back panel. Push gently but firmly until the glass settles into place.
• Lift and Prop
  • Once the glass is set in, lift it like you did before so that it opens like a trap-door. Take your prop and position it to hold the glass open without damaging the oven or insulation below.
• Align Element Brackets
  • Pick up the element brackets and align them with the correct positions and mounting holes in the stovetop.
• Secure Element Mounting Screws
  • Carefully reapply the mounting screws and secure the brackets to the underside of the glass. Tighten until they feel firm but do not over-tighten.

Reassemble Your Stove

You have just successfully exchanged the glass of your glasstop stove. Now let’s get your stove back together and in working order.

• Un-Prop and Settle the Cooktop
  • Take out the prop and set it aside. Then carefully lower the cook-top so that it settles back onto the top of the stove. If it needs a slight adjustment, like being pushed in, take care of this and make sure the cooktop feels secure in its place.
• Return the Underside Mounting Screws
  • Open the oven and resecure the mounting screws underneath the cooktop lip. 
• Restore the Power
  • It is now safe to plug your stove back in or flip the breaker back on.
• Admire Your Handiwork
  • Finally, it’s time to turn on your stove, test each burner, and admire your new flawless glass top stove.