Cutting a hole in the Ideal Steel Radiator above the cat?

This seller wants $95 for a 14"X14" piece of stove glass. I think the IS would need a 13" X26" piece.
Custom size HEAT RESISTANT GLASS for your wood and coal stove, fireplace | eBay

It's an interesting idea, it would be neat to see down inside there.

ETA: I messaged that seller about getting a 13X26 piece of it. They replied that they would not be willing to ship such a size because the risk of breaking it would be too high.

 

I could remove the top from the Fireview and the smoke would still pour right up the stack.
I'm not so sure about the IS.
I'll go down now and try.

 

I’d keep the metal as a frame, cut out the area covered by all three burners, and set the ceramic glass over the metal top. If it doesn’t work, buy a new top. In fact, have a new top on hand in case you would happen to break the glass so you can just swap it out quickly.

We use these ceramic glass stove tops in rocket heaters set directly over a 2000•F flame indoors without fear of failure. Care has to be taken not to drop or scratch the glass with cast iron cook ware, but they’re fairly resistant to abuse.

 

I’ve figured out how to ship the stuff. Just sandwich it between two layers of 2” thick rigid foam insulation, put that inside a reinforced box, and insure it for breakage during shipping.

I can buy hundreds of pieces of used rigid foam insulation from a guy on craigslist for pennies on the dollar vs new.

 

What about just a ceramic glass radiator and leave the steel stove top on?
The ceramic would take the heat and let the infrared heat through to the stove top and help distribute the heat around the inside top of the stove?

 

That’s probably the best idea yet! And if it did break it’s inside the stove and not catastrophic.

 

Whoohoo! Do I get a gold star?!?

 

Yup! I have a 20”x30” piece in the basement. (Hint. Hint.)

 

I also think cutting the sides of the radiator out to let heat hit the sides of the top of the stove would improve heat distribution. The radiator is shaped like an upside-down U.
Cut the sides of it out so it is just standing on the four corners like four legs.
Also cut the front/center out where the warping is occurring and glue the glass on the top.

 

Would probably only need an 9x13 piece of ceramic for my experiment...and a sacrificial/warped radiator...

 

The glass should just rest on flat gasket. The metal and glass will expand with heat at different rates and if you glue it there’s a better chance of breaking it.

 

Just called WS.
New improved radiator on its way. New/updated ones have a SS deflector on the bottom.

 

When I was at the factory, I took a hard look at the radiator. I didn't ask the question but I assumed it also acts as a a means to bringing the cat up to temp sooner and holding it at temp longer at the tail end of the burn.

That's what is so awesome about woodstock, easy, fair priced and reliable supply of parts. All stoves have quirks and trade offs.

 

Then we’ll have the warped original to experiment with?

 

Have some spare stainless welding rod over here....

 

easy yes!
priced...well...
I mentioned the warping and flaking and I asked about the updated radiator and he said he'll mail it out asap. No mention of cost...

 

They didn't ask for it back...so...I'd say yes

 

I found a seller (in the U.S.) who will ship a 13" X 26" X 3/16" thick piece of Pyroceram III glass for $188. Is that the correct glass for what we're talking about? Is 3/16" the standard thickness for that type of glass?

 

Yes, but before you pay that, talk to your local appliance repairman. You can usually get the ceramic glass top for cheap or free from a broken/discarded flat top stove if you’re willing to do the work to disassemble the stove yourself. And these can be cut (carefully!) with a tile saw or a diamond blade on an angle grinder.

If it’s glued into the metal of the stove top, it can be cut free from the metal with a safety razor.

 

Wait, the glass top from an electric stove will work for that? Is it rated high enough temps?

I do have such a stove setting in the shed.