Impact Damage: While tempered glass is designed to withstand moderate impacts, it is not immune to damage from hard knocks. For instance, if something heavy, such as a pot or a baking sheet, hit the oven door during a previous use, it could have caused tiny fractures. These weak points could eventually lead to the glass shattering days or weeks later, even if the oven was not in use at the time.

Temperature Changes in the Kitchen: It’s also possible that environmental factors in your kitchen contributed to the glass breakage. For example, if your kitchen experienced sudden temperature changes (like a blast of cold air from an open door or window), it might have triggered the glass to shatter.

High Heat Cycles and Age: Over time, exposure to high temperatures can cause tempered glass to weaken, especially if the oven is used frequently. Constant heating and cooling cycles put stress on the material, and after years of use, the integrity of the glass can degrade, leading to spontaneous shattering.

The Immediate Aftermath: Dealing with Shattered Oven Glass

If your oven glass shatters, it’s essential to handle the situation safely and methodically. Here are some steps to follow:

Turn Off the Oven (if it was on): In your case, the oven wasn’t on, but in situations where it is, you should immediately turn it off and let the appliance cool down before handling any glass shards.

Clean Up Carefully: Even though tempered glass breaks into smaller, less sharp pieces, there can still be sharp edges. Wear protective gloves and carefully sweep up the glass fragments. Use a vacuum to pick up tiny shards that may be scattered around the kitchen floor.