Cracked glass in insert

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ColdCanuck

New Member
Jan 26, 2014
1
Ottawa, Ontario
Good afternoon! We had the glass on our Elmira insert crack last night. It is a good crack, splitting the glass into two pieces, held together only by the glass gasket. There is nothing open today (Sunday) and an emergency call is minimum $500! It is our sole hear source and the temp in the house is 4.5 degrees Celsius .... -30 degrees Celsius outside. Is there anything I can do so we can use the insert until tomorrow evening when hubby can get glass replaced? Someone suggested using the gasket glue on it, but I'm not sure of that. Glue? Aluminum tape? Suggestions? TIA for your advice
 
Sorry no one has posted a reply. I know how cold it is!

I have no knowledge about this. You can search the site, may find an answer.

Someone else posted he slobbered a lot of stove cement of on the outside of the glass and used it for a few days.

Don't know your stove, but if it is a front loader I'd be cautious about the glass falling out when loading, injuring someone.

If you are not worried about that, then I'd personally go for one or two big logs, if you have any, to get some heat and not too much surface burning. You're going to get air in there, if you can't seal the crack. Big logs and close your primary air down, it may not be too much different than burning with the air open somewhat.

But I am just guessing.

You need heat in this weather, so I'd probably try, cautiously.

And keep your water running.

I'd also go to Canada Tire or Walmart or some such place and get one or two electric heaters. It is not worth freezing. And you, and your water, will with these temps.

Good luck.
 
Same answer for your stove as in this thread:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/where-to-buy-new-glass-oslo.122936/

The main concern will be with the glass falling out. This would be especially bad if it happened overnight when no one is watching. If it is snug and well supported then it could be temporarily ok. You will have to use your judgement here. Aluminum tape is not rated for anywhere near the temps the glass can see, and it might smoke as the adhesive is baked, then burned off. Can't say how long that would last. Do you have a primary source of heat in the house? If yes, I would run that overnight for peace of mind.
 
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I had the glass on my insert crack 2 years ago, I ordered the replacement that took at least a week to come in. I used the stove as normal because the glass was tight and not leaking. It seemed to function normal with no problem. If the glass is still sitting tight I would use it. But do not use my recommendation as rule, use your own judgement. Since it is your only source of heat stay warm and do not push the stove too high until you can get the new glass.
 
Ironically, I was going to ask this question yesterday after I ALMOST placed a log to long for the depth of the stove in. Close the door with 3/4 inch to spare. Didn't close it quickly enough that it would have cracked, but wondered what I would do if it had. I'll glean what I can from this posting.
 
mine cracked when my significant other way overfilled the pot on top and cold water ran down the front of the glass.
I know that because my son told me so.
 
You could cut a piece of sheet metal to replace the glass temporarily. Of course you won't be able to see the fire, but that was the norm for a couple hundred years.
 
You could cut a piece of sheet metal to replace the glass temporarily. Of course you won't be able to see the fire, but that was the norm for a couple hundred years.
You would see the fire fairly soon after the sheet metal melts from the overfire if not sealed up!
 
What model Elmira is it? I got a new stove and was getting rid of mine. Mine was a 1500 , but they used the same door/glass on quite a few models. Send me a personal message here with your phone # if you need the glass.
 
Good afternoon! We had the glass on our Elmira insert crack last night. It is a good crack, splitting the glass into two pieces, held together only by the glass gasket. There is nothing open today (Sunday) and an emergency call is minimum $500! It is our sole hear source and the temp in the house is 4.5 degrees Celsius .... -30 degrees Celsius outside. Is there anything I can do so we can use the insert until tomorrow evening when hubby can get glass replaced? Someone suggested using the gasket glue on it, but I'm not sure of that. Glue? Aluminum tape? Suggestions? TIA for your advice
Cold Canuck, I'm sure you have solved the problem by now but, can you burn with the door open and use a screen in front? I've read here some do burn their stoves with the door open/removed. Good luck and for God's sake keep warm.
 
Cold Canuck, I'm sure you have solved the problem by now but, can you burn with the door open and use a screen in front? I've read here some do burn their stoves with the door open/removed. Good luck and for God's sake keep warm.

That's what I was gonna say. Possibly run it as a fireplace?
 
They would stay warmer not burning than doing that.

;)

We have our insert and also an open FP. have not once this season burned the open FP. yeah, it's pretty...but just cannot waste that wood. :p
 
BCC, I think it would be better than zero heat. Seems to me a few hundred years ago that's how they did it. Granted it would be inefficient and use a lot of wood but they wouldn't freeze. :)
 
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