Breckwell Pellet Glass Cracked Can I still use it?

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adamztoyz

Member
Oct 27, 2008
33
Western New York
Well, I went to clean my stove today and there is a 2 inch crack on the front door near the side. It looks like it is cracked between the panes if that is possible because if you run your finger over either side there is not crack that you can feel. Can I still use it? I hate to use my furnace not just for saving money but it sucks even though it is brand new. Nothing like a pellet stove. Any help would be appreciated. I just didn't know if it would shatter if it got hot.
 
Just my own observation so take it with a grain of salt but I can't see any problem using it. Being what they are the fire isn't going to jump out any way I can see. You do mean a crack in the steel casing right? The big question is whether it is under warranty and get Breckwell to fix or replace it. Even if you get stuck getting it welded should be easy since it is mild steel. Did you do have an overfiring incident or something? As far as functionality in the mean time you should be able to just keep an eye on it and use the stove. Now that you know its there you should be ok.
 
Sorry I worded it wrong. The glass is cracked not the steel door. I was just making sure it wouldn't shatter with the heat.
 
I don't see a problem with cracked glass in and of itself; probably, the larger issue is whether the crack allows air infiltration which disrupts the vacuum/negative pressure of the combustion chamber. If you can live iwth it, my suggestion would be to get some of that nasty Rutland furnace cement and smear it on the inside of the pane so that the crack is shielded and does not spread further. Try to work it into the crack if you can as to "glue" the split together. I would suggest ordering new glass now in the event that the thing totally craps out on you.
 
If it were me, I would order the replacement glass. I would then try the stove out, to see if it works ok. Since stoves work on negative pressure, it won't leak anything OUT, if anything, it would let air IN, which may trigger a shutdown. It is special ceramic glass that is designed NOT to shatter (or crack for that matter). I would think it would be safe to operate in this manner until the new glass arrives. Another important question is why did it crack in the first place?
 
I would order new glass. I broke mine and a glass shop reinstalled it for around $80.00. It was a fairly large piece so yours might even run a bit cheaper. I am not sure about your stove but it should be fairly easy to take the door off to bring it in to the shop and they will also make sure your gasket is in good shape.

If you can't find it, you can order it online but they charge a lot for shipping.

http://www.onedayglass.com/wood_stove_glass.php
 
If it was me I would wait until the season is completely over to put the new panel in unless you are sure that you will be able to put it in and get it going that day. You never know when you might be needing the stove and if it is working fine now it should continue to do so for the immediate future. It's only a few weeks to real Spring.................
 
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