With one of the year’s biggest, most celebrated cooking holidays on the horizon, we wanted to talk about glass table tops. Many people ask us, “Are they safe to use during Thanksgiving feasts?” The succinct answer is, “Yes, with a few caveats.” Remember, not all glass table tops are created equal. As such, they tend to vary when it comes to things like the ability to handle thermal expansion, rapid temperature changes and the impact of external forces. With that said, here’s a rundown of what to keep in mind:
Don’t set glass topped tables near heat sources or in unheated rooms. Otherwise, as you’re cooking Thanksgiving dinner, the rapid changes in air temperatures could cause stress to build. And like anything else, when stress builds to a certain point, it could cause cracks or a total breakdown to occur.
Do remember to avoid placing very hot or cold plates onto glass table tops too. Those types of temperature extremes may create stress as well. Therefore, it is always better to use temperature resistant items to separate the dinnerware from the glass table tops (e.g. coasters, rubber footed trivets and thermal mats).
Similar maybe said for drinking glasses that have a tendency to sweat. They could cause the glass table top to develop hard water marks or other types of discoloration. If that does happen, act quickly and try to remove the stains from the table using Lemi Shine® Detergent or full strength, white vinegar and a lint-free, absorbent cloth.
Don’t place salt blocks, plates or slabs directly onto glass table tops either. Invest in a piece of butcher block or a corrosion resistant plate that can cradle the blocks or slabs during Thanksgiving dinner service. After all, salt is very corrosive and is frequently used to etch glass. So placing a salt block onto the table could actually mar the glass surface and weaken it all the way down to the core.
To learn more about making stunning, glass table tops a focal point during your next Thanksgiving dinner, please contact us at Hutchinson Glass & Mirror today.
