Explosion Then Covered in Shards of Glass

[pmbinnj]

Yesterday the top shelf in my Kitchen Aid freezer exploded and sent shards of tempered glass all over me and as far as 10 feet away from the appliance. I had simply opened the freezer and started reaching in when there was a loud explosion and then it rained pieces of tempered glass. Fortunately, none of the glass entered my eyes but it still was terribly frightening.
I contacted Kitchen Aid customer service and requested that they replace the several tempered glass shelves because I'm afraid these other shelves may also explode - they refused. I also contacted TV Warranty Dept to see if they kept a list of homeowners who also have this same refrigerator/freezer so they could be notified of a potentially serious situation. Surprisingly I was told they do not keep such a list.
Since this refrigerator/freezer is just barely 3 years old I'm concerned that others may have potential exploding shelves in their freezer. Because we have a separate free-standing freezer in our garage this Kitchen Aid kitchen appliance freezer is not over-packed - it had just 4 small items on the exploding shelf. Therefore, I'm not sure what I could have done differently to avoid this situation.
So, if you have a 3 year old Kitchen Aid french door refrigerator/freezer but please heed my warning and be cautious.

[graciegirl]

Yesterday the top shelf in my Kitchen Aid freezer exploded and sent shards of tempered glass all over me and as far as 10 feet away from the appliance. I had simply opened the freezer and started reaching in when there was a loud explosion and then it rained pieces of tempered glass. Fortunately, none of the glass entered my eyes but it still was terribly frightening.
I contacted Kitchen Aid customer service and requested that they replace the several tempered glass shelves because I'm afraid these other shelves may also explode - they refused. I also contacted TV Warranty Dept to see if they kept a list of homeowners who also have this same refrigerator/freezer so they could be notified of a potentially serious situation. Surprisingly I was told they do not keep such a list.
Since this refrigerator/freezer is just barely 3 years old I'm concerned that others may have potential exploding shelves in their freezer. Because we have a separate free-standing freezer in our garage this Kitchen Aid kitchen appliance freezer is not over-packed - it had just 4 small items on the exploding shelf. Therefore, I'm not sure what I could have done differently to avoid this situation.
So, if you have a 3 year old Kitchen Aid french door refrigerator/freezer but please heed my warning and be cautious.

It came with your house? Have they started putting in Kitchen Aids? Ours came with a Whirlpool. I thought the developer used Whirlpool exclusively.

But to the issue. I am very glad you weren't hurt. Perhaps you should share the model number with us in case someone has that refrigerator.


shelf shattering in refrigerator - Bing (https://www.bing.com/search?q=shelf+shattering+in+refrigerator&form=EDGHPT&qs=PF&cvid=82079a3fc8444875a59f868b48294104&cc=US&setlang=en-US&elv=AXXfrEiqqD9r3GuelwApuloLbdebibeg7foGPGDVW0No5c klRMz*BrPOQzW*aV4rclRvlkDlNzTzwfGaY*JNfTSwfdFQ2xgP TjCN73Ak6aS3&PC=DCTS)
I googled "refrigerator glass shelf shattering" and got this; Apparently it isn't just one make or model or manufacturer.

[pmbinnj]

Kitchen Aid appliances (refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, microwave, cook top, and double wall ovens) came new with our home here in TV barely three years ago. While it may be true that exploding tempered glass could happen with any maker/model I think those with a 3 year old Kitchen Aid french door refrigerator/freezer (model ksf26c4xyy03) should be particularly careful.

[Chatbrat]

Contact the (federal) consumer products safety commission

[Henryk]

Yesterday the top shelf in my Kitchen Aid freezer exploded and sent shards of tempered glass all over me and as far as 10 feet away from the appliance. I had simply opened the freezer and started reaching in when there was a loud explosion and then it rained pieces of tempered glass. Fortunately, none of the glass entered my eyes but it still was terribly frightening.
I contacted Kitchen Aid customer service and requested that they replace the several tempered glass shelves because I'm afraid these other shelves may also explode - they refused. I also contacted TV Warranty Dept to see if they kept a list of homeowners who also have this same refrigerator/freezer so they could be notified of a potentially serious situation. Surprisingly I was told they do not keep such a list.
Since this refrigerator/freezer is just barely 3 years old I'm concerned that others may have potential exploding shelves in their freezer. Because we have a separate free-standing freezer in our garage this Kitchen Aid kitchen appliance freezer is not over-packed - it had just 4 small items on the exploding shelf. Therefore, I'm not sure what I could have done differently to avoid this situation.
So, if you have a 3 year old Kitchen Aid french door refrigerator/freezer but please heed my warning and be cautious.

It boggles the mind how tempered glass can shatter for no apparent reason.

As far as Kitchen Aid not being responsive, call them back and threaten to sue.

[Chatbrat]

Again, use gov't agencies they work for free

[graciegirl]

replacement cost for tempered glass shelf in freezer of kitchen aid refrigerator - Bing (https://www.bing.com/search?q=replacement+cost+for+tempered+glass+shelf +in+freezer+of+kitchen+aid+refrigerator&form=EDGHPT&qs=PF&cvid=bf5ea23f75ba401482bd13d6f7cfa303&cc=US&setlang=en-US&elv=AXXfrEiqqD9r3GuelwApulq*2TyTDEJ4rk8ANm5BUWgx*6 niN8Uy0nqOQP%21C%21tpqL0LCZwPvX9BAb5QLzyOZv2FyUpoC sM9tpPW31fr%21K4w5&PC=DCTS)

[2newyorkers]

It came with your house? Have they started putting in Kitchen Aids? Ours came with a Whirlpool. I thought the developer used Whirlpool exclusively.

But to the issue. I am very glad you weren't hurt. Perhaps you should share the model number with us in case someone has that refrigerator.


shelf shattering in refrigerator - Bing (https://www.bing.com/search?q=shelf+shattering+in+refrigerator&form=EDGHPT&qs=PF&cvid=82079a3fc8444875a59f868b48294104&cc=US&setlang=en-US&elv=AXXfrEiqqD9r3GuelwApuloLbdebibeg7foGPGDVW0No5c klRMz*BrPOQzW*aV4rclRvlkDlNzTzwfGaY*JNfTSwfdFQ2xgP TjCN73Ak6aS3&PC=DCTS)
I googled "refrigerator glass shelf shattering" and got this; Apparently it isn't just one make or model or manufacturer.

I think Kitchen Aid is manufactured by Whirlpool.

[Wiotte]

I think Kitchen Aid is manufactured by Whirlpool.



Yes, just a higher end Whirlpool.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dillywho]

It came with your house? Have they started putting in Kitchen Aids? Ours came with a Whirlpool. I thought the developer used Whirlpool exclusively.

But to the issue. I am very glad you weren't hurt. Perhaps you should share the model number with us in case someone has that refrigerator.



When we came here in 2004, all our homes were furnished with GE.

[village dreamer]

fyi , anyone who maybe afraid this happening to them can put a layer of tape on the glass .

[billethkid]

It must have to do with possible defective glass that does not respond correctly to significant temperature differentials.

Sometimes initiated by the opening of the door or even a slight touch of the warm body.

If not sudden temp differential then there would be instances of such shattering occurring while the compartment is closed.

When talking to Kitchen Aid customer service just ask for supervision or a management representative. The routine call representative is not authorized to make decisions of the sort that may be required.

[thelegges]

Had this happen to our glass top up north. Turned on the burner and went to get the pan, top exploded glass flying all the way to the dining table. It was about 15 months old but had been used very little since we traveled so much. Rep replaced with no problem even though out of warranty.

[rubicon]

Yesterday the top shelf in my Kitchen Aid freezer exploded and sent shards of tempered glass all over me and as far as 10 feet away from the appliance. I had simply opened the freezer and started reaching in when there was a loud explosion and then it rained pieces of tempered glass. Fortunately, none of the glass entered my eyes but it still was terribly frightening.
I contacted Kitchen Aid customer service and requested that they replace the several tempered glass shelves because I'm afraid these other shelves may also explode - they refused. I also contacted TV Warranty Dept to see if they kept a list of homeowners who also have this same refrigerator/freezer so they could be notified of a potentially serious situation. Surprisingly I was told they do not keep such a list.
Since this refrigerator/freezer is just barely 3 years old I'm concerned that others may have potential exploding shelves in their freezer. Because we have a separate free-standing freezer in our garage this Kitchen Aid kitchen appliance freezer is not over-packed - it had just 4 small items on the exploding shelf. Therefore, I'm not sure what I could have done differently to avoid this situation.
So, if you have a 3 year old Kitchen Aid french door refrigerator/freezer but please heed my warning and be cautious.

that is a real concern. you might check to see if there is a safety notice on line.

thankfully you were not injured

[Topspinmo]

Why would manufacture install glass in freezer? The glass probably had flaw and the cold cycles plus weight over time caused it to fail? My cheap refrigerator side by side has metal grate selves.

[graciegirl]

Why would manufacture install glass in freezer? The glass probably had flaw and the cold cycles plus weight over time caused it to fail? My cheap refrigerator side by side has metal grate selves.

Mine has metal drawers.

[Paper1]

I had a piece blow apart in my Whirlpool. I was cleaning it at the time so it was my fault. I went to Ace hardware and had a piece of plexiglass cut to size and it works great. Measure twice and cut once.

[Retiring]

It boggles the mind how tempered glass can shatter for no apparent reason.

As far as Kitchen Aid not being responsive, call them back and threaten to sue.

Couple years ago I’m sitting in my living room and I hear what sounded like a gunshot upstairs. I run upstairs only to find the glass shower door in the guest bath had literally exploded, glass everywhere. I call the people that installed the glass (3 yrs prior) and they were not surprised. They said it’s tempered so these things happen (???). I called the manufacturer and they said, it’s tempered so these things happen. I go to my local home depot and I’m told, it’s tempered these things happen. Maybe there should be a big sign where they are sold that says, this glass is tempered – explosion possible. The manufacturer did replace without charge and they paid install.

[Bay Kid]

Wow. Glad you are safe.

[raisingJB]

This summer, while sleeping, we heard a loud explosion that literally sounded like a gunshot, followed by the sound of shrads of glass flying around. It turned out that our shower wall had exploded for no apparent reason.

I decided to google "exploding tempered glass" and discovered this is a rare problem but it does occur. There were numerous examples of table tops, shower doors, etc exploding for no apparent reason. My understanding is this can occur if a certain manufactoring defect occurs.

Bottom line - tempered glass can explode - not sure I would blame the particular appliance maker.