Oven Flame Viewing Port

[ha_asfan]

On the Model 61C, is the oven flame viewing port designed to be open or was there a material [Eisenglass ?] to be inserted into that port ?

[annnt]

Hi Ha;
I don't know if it's still around, but there was some great banter about the mica viewing window a while back. Joe and Sam (if I remember correctly, which is no guarantee) had some excellent comments about this.
Ann

[lowracer]

<font color="#FFFFFF" size="1">[ March 10, 2006 12:07 AM: Message edited by: lowracer ]</font>

[Joe Pieweed]

Mark, you are a hoot.

Joe

[RobbiQuest]

I believe I may have a small piece left, enough for a window, if anyone is interested. If so, let me know and I'll check the garage for it this weekend. I'd have to send it wrapped in cardboard (it is a bit brittle and will damage if bent in half), so I'd just ask you to pay shipping (won't cost much).

Lemme know.

<font color="#FFFFFF" size="1">[ January 26, 2006 10:47 PM: Message edited by: RobbiQuest ]</font>

[ha_asfan]

I just love this place...ask a question and instant answers ! Thanks for the links, Mark, they were a good read. I think I'll just leave mine mica free and enjoy the little blue flames once in a while !

[bseavey]

Another source for mica is [url="http://woodmanspartsplus.com."]http://woodmanspartsplus.com.[/url] Look under stove parts then mica & glass. They're a little cheaper than the above link. You'll have to buy slighty bigger pieces and cut them down to size.

[Joe Pieweed]

I'm not sure about this, but the mica may be essential for the correct fuel/air mixture for the oven burners.

I recall the someone, Sam I beleive, saying something about intact mica being important. Also, I know that there is a distinct difference in my oven burner flames, depending on whether my oven door is opened or closed, so I would think that the mica being there or not would have a similar effect.

Joe

[stoveman]

The Mica window subject..I feel that the viewing window should not be an open hole. If you are going to CWTGTO, It defeats the whole purpose of having the dampers close up to seal the oven if you leave a gaping hole up front. Also, I feel that the heat and cooking vapors that will ooze out of that hole will promote rust and deterioration to the front on the stove. So, either get a piece of Mica and replace the old stuff or cut a piece of sheet metal to plug the hole.


Now, there are several sources of mica. Different prices and different Grades. Look at the photo's of their mica. Notice that many are shaded. Some dark, some light, some with spots. The clearest mica is the most expensive and hardest to find. Chambers used a very hi grade that was almost clear. Ask your supplier what color grade they are selling. I found several years ago that Ryan's Mica had the best quality and a reasonable price. In 1997, I was buying 2"x7" pieces for $3.10 each. I suspect the cost has gone up since then.

[pmisaber]

Wow!!! Maybe this explains why Ha was having problems with pizza and longer cooking times. The pearls of wisdom that show up in posts on this board are incredible.

Peter