Adding a viewing window to a furnace

[DeanBrown3D]

Hey all,

Is it possible to add a small ceramic window to a furnace firebox, so that one can see inside a bit? I have just finished installing my Charmaster whole house wood furnace (I'll post pics soon) and it has a 3/16" steel front, and an access panel where the oil burner goes (if you have one; I don't). I would like to cut a small hole, maybe 2" square, in that panel, and cover it with a sheet of clear ceramic or glass, but I am not sure if this is sensible or possible. If anyone has a furnace with such a viewing window, could you please take a pic or tell me about it here so I can see if I can get something together?

Thanks

Dean

 

[BrotherBart]

England Stove Works put a window in the loading door of theirs a few years ago. I don't know that I would advise cutting into an existing door but I know where you are coming from. Being able to see the burn tells ya a lot about how efficient it is.

I damn sure wouldn't cut a hole in a firebox.

 

[DeanBrown3D]

Here's the blank oil burner panel on the right. The fire draft door on the left I would not touch.

 

[BrotherBart]

Heck if you can get a glass shop to cut and drill a piece of Pyroceram to fit the oil burner hole, why not?

It ain't gonna be cheap. Cutting it, yes. Getting them to drill it, I dun tink so Lucy.

 

[Roospike]

If one was to put in a window you would have to make sure the frame where the window is going to be placed was reinforced to prevent warping. The glass would have to be sealed.
If placed in the wrong spot your glass might get smoked up quickly.

 

[johnsopi]

Home depot had some furnaces with a view door last year. I think that it would be smoked up fast.