Whether you have a wood-burning stove or a multi-fuel stove at some point it is likely that the glass in the stove door will need replaced. While we often take these things for granted, we can only imagine the pressure and heat which this glass is exposed to on a daily basis. The constant heating and cooling process will eventually weaken the glass and on rare occasions accidental damage will occur. However, if you start to see cracks emerging in the glass then you should replace it as soon as possible.
Once the cracks start to emerge then it is only a matter of time before the stove door glass will need to be replaced. While it is sometimes tempting to put off replacement of the glass when they are relatively small cracks, not only will these eventually enlarge but during that period your stove will become less efficient. This is simply because of the fact the heat will not be retained within the stove to the same degree which means it will be radiated in an uncontrolled manner – likely leading to an eventual increase in fuel costs. So, what is the safest way to replace glass in your multi-fuel or wood-burning stove door?
Ensure the stove door is clean
The inside of the door will over time accumulate an array of ash and dirt simply because of the burning process within the body of the stove. Before going any further it is sensible to clean this excess ash and dirt from the inner door.
Remove the stove door
Important, before removing the stove door make sure it is cool as a hot door can cause injury. The process of removing the stove door from the body of the stove will vary slightly from machine to machine but it is generally just a case of lifting the door off its hinges. It is possible to replace the cracked glass without taking the door from its hinges but it is much easier if it can be detached.
Working on the stove door
No matter how hard you clean the inside of the door there will be ash and dirt which accumulates around the glass fittings. It is therefore advisable to find a work surface which is suitable with sufficient space for you to work in.
Removing the cracked glass
Due to the buildup of dirt and ash you will sometimes find that the screws and clips which hold the glass in place can be a little difficult to move initially. The way in which the glass is held in place does differ slightly from stove to stove but it tends to be a metal catch which is connected to the door by a screw or bolt. In most cases it is simply a case of loosening the screws or bolts and then twisting the metal clips and removing the damaged glass. Some people use WD40 as a means of loosening tough bolts and screws and in many cases a handy pair of pliers might prove very useful.
When removing the damaged glass you should be extremely careful because while initially it may be difficult to free the glass from the door, it may suddenly drop free. The last thing you want is smashed glass all over the place!
Examining the stove rope seal
When you remove the damaged glass from the stove door you will see a rope seal between the door and the glass. This ensures that no heat escapes around the side of the glass and as much as possible is retained within the body of the stove. In time the stove rope can become worn and damaged at which point it should be replaced. This is an extremely easy process and stove rope and glue should be considered when purchasing replacement stove door glass.
Fitting replacement stove door glass
The process of fitting the replacement glass is very simple. As before, position the replacement glass on the door on top of the stove rope. It is then simply a case of realigning the metal catches and tightening the screws/bolts which hold the metal catch in place – ensuring the stove door glass is secure. There is often a temptation to over tighten these screws and bolts but this should be avoided at all cost because it can actually crack the glass thereby incurring further replacement glass costs.
Summary
The process for replacing damaged stove door glass is relatively straightforward but if you have any issues or would rather a qualified fitter carried out the process, simply let us know. Many people assume that relatively small cracks in the glass are irrelevant but this is certainly not the case. As soon as the glass is cracked then the overall efficiency of the stove is compromised and it is only a matter of time before the cracks enlarge with possible additional dangers.