Posted on 12/19/2025
You stumble out on a freezing morning, see a sheet of ice on the glass, and the kettle is already hot in the kitchen. Pouring hot water over the windshield sounds like a clever shortcut. It feels satisfying for a few seconds, right up until that same shortcut can crack the glass you are trying to save time with. Why Pouring Hot Water on Glass Seems Like a Quick Fix When you are in a rush, hot water looks like the fastest answer. It melts ice instantly and feels more efficient than waiting on the defroster or scraping. That “instant clear” effect is why so many videos and tips keep circling online every winter. What those clips rarely show is what happens to the glass after you walk away. Windshields are strong, but they are not designed for sudden, extreme temperature swings. The damage usually builds quietly, then shows up as chips or spider cracks later in the season. What Sudden Temperature Change Does to Your Windshield Your windsh ... read more