Amazing how stove glass is impact (and heat) resistant

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PA. Woodsman

Minister of Fire
Hearth Supporter
Feb 26, 2007
2,257
Emmaus, Pennsylvania
I have a Dovre Aurora 700 from 1993, and after about 14 years or so I noticed a split topple into the glass one night, but nothing happened-until the next morning when I looked at the glass and it had a good 4 inch crack in it! I ordered a replacement one from the shop and the owner said "that still shouldn't have broken like that", and the new piece was much better quality and newer technology because at that time Dovre was out of business and had been bought out by Quadri-fire, so I knew this was a better glass. Last night twice the same big "chunk" of Sycamore leaned into the window and I had "flashbacks" to the "accident" years ago, leapt out of my chair, said a few salty words, and moved him back, and just a little while ago I cleaned the glass off and the black marks came right off and I saw no cracks or anything so it should be good. I do remember someone telling me years ago that they have a metal ball on a rope and pull it back and let it smack into the glass, that's how they test them and how strong they are, but I don't know if that is fact or not. But I think this glass being from Quadri-fire should be very good for years to come. It just amazes me how strong and heat resistant they can make them!
 
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It is pretty neat stuff. When I took the Travis Industries factory tour last year, they talked briefly about how tough the glass is in new stoves. I don't remember what was said about impact resistance, but I do remember being told that with the stuff they use now, you could throw a cup of cold water on it during operation and it wouldn't crack.
 
It is pretty neat stuff. When I took the Travis Industries factory tour last year, they talked briefly about how tough the glass is in new stoves. I don't remember what was said about impact resistance, but I do remember being told that with the stuff they use now, you could throw a cup of cold water on it during operation and it wouldn't crack.


Wow, that's impressive! I don't think I'll be trying that though, so I'll take their word for it! ;lol
 
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Yup . . . tough stuff neoceramic . . . but I must confess . . . if a round or split topples over and clunks up against the front and I hear it . . . I always go right over and check as if I was a detective on a crime scene, looking at the neoceramic from every angle, shining a light on it, etc. . . . pretty much doing everything but digging out a magnifying glass. I know, I know . . . it's just one of my quirks.
 
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Just had one tumble this morning on me. First time since I've been running this stove (second year now), that I actually saw and heard the fall into the glass. Just like Jake, I inspected from every angle, thankfully all was good.

On that note. With a front load, running E/W, what's the appropriate action to take when there's a flaming log precariously perched against the door? I try to be like Indiana Jones and do the quick swap out, open the door, while getting an implement of some sort to take the place of the door before the log rolls out. 1 for 1 so far..... Thinking next time I'll just leave it where it lands until it burns down....
 
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Yup . . . tough stuff neoceramic . . . but I must confess . . . if a round or split topples over and clunks up against the front and I hear it . . . I always go right over and check as if I was a detective on a crime scene, looking at the neoceramic from every angle, shining a light on it, etc. . . . pretty much doing everything but digging out a magnifying glass. I know, I know . . . it's just one of my quirks.

We must be twins lol!!! I'm just as "neurotic" about it, and other aspects of the stove; but as my wife puts it, "he's your baby" ;lol
 
They should make automobile glass out of pyroceramic.....that way when we get an ice storm I can just throw a few gallons of boiling water on the windshield and head to work without scraping.::-)::-)
 
I would like to build a wood stove that was about 50% Ceramic glass (maybe .375" thick?) and steel. Basically having viewing windows on the top, front and sides. The radiant heat that emits through the glass is awesome. I bet more air would be heated (higher efficiency) with a design like this.
 
I would like to build a wood stove that was about 50% Ceramic glass (maybe .375" thick?) and steel. Basically having viewing windows on the top, front and sides. The radiant heat that emits through the glass is awesome. I bet more air would be heated (higher efficiency) with a design like this.


Interesting thoughts there, Cory. I'd bet that would really throw some serious heat !
 
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Interesting thoughts there, Cory. I'd bet that would really throw some serious heat !
Yeah, I bet the room would capture a lot more heat from the combustion. More surrounding air heated with the same amount if wood. I assume 3/8" thick ceramic glass would be pretty durable too.
 
Problem is glass stores for all intensive purposes zero heat energy. So the actual firebox temps would be dramatically lower resulting in the inability for secondary combustion to take place. You would probably cut efficiency in half if not more. Glass transfers heat amazingly well, but storing it and insulating something to increase overall temps is not its fortay.

This is why there is not a design of this type on the market.
 
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