Window fouling - is this normal?

[salmonhunter]

Im just wondering if its normal to get a dark brown film on the viewing glass or maybee im burning my fires not hot enough. I have only had 2 fires and hers a couple pic so you can see what i mean. first one is on the outside of the glass and 2nd one is on the inside.

 

[fossil]

Yes, it's normal, and yes, you'll find that if you burn a nice hot fire it should all pretty much disappear. It happens to us all, that's why we have so many endless discussions about the best ways to clean our stove windows. What you've got there looks pretty mild to me. Learn some of the ways we clean it off and figure out your favorite (do a search here for cleaning the glass or the window or some such key words). Maybe burn a bit hotter. No problem with what you've shown us, burn on! Rick

 

[DexterDay]

What Rick said is spot on...

But, I see one thing that my be causing it to become worse (2 firea is not a lot). The upper left side area, where the door latches (good seal) doesn't have the ring and there is an area on the bottom where the door gasket looks folded (bottom/mid right).

This is a new stove, but not to say it wont be perfect all the time. I would do the dollar bill test on the gasket
Open door and place bill inside where gasket surface is. Close door and pull the dollar out. Do this around all 4 edges. Of the dollar is removed easily, then you may have to fix or replace the gasket. Also, wood with a higher moisture content, will make the window foul quicker.

Just a thought, based on how your latch is and the pattern of the ring.

 

[Woody Stover]

If your wood isn't real dry, the glass may not stay as clean. If my glass was easier to clean, I might do in more often, but it really stays pretty clear.

 

[MasterMech]

The glass may be clear on top due to the air wash. I see no problem here. Your glass will stay cleaner as you get to burn hotter fires in the depths of winter.

 

[Pagey]

Pretty normal. Even if you didn't have any of the darker areas, it would slowly develop a white "haze" over time. I use the Rutland stove glass cleaner/conditioner. Just a smidge on damp paper towel works wonders. Other use newspaper and ash to clean theirs. Just make sure it's cool when you clean it! And good call on testing the door seal.

 

[mellow]

I would double check that gasket on the bottom of the door to make sure it is seated and sealed correctly, it looks like a part of it on the right hand side has come undone.

 

[corey21]

Looks like the bottom part of the door gasket is not seated correctly.