Oven Flame Viewing Port

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 ?

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

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

Mark, you are a hoot.

Joe

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>

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 !

Another source for mica is http://woodmanspartsplus.com. 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.

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

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.

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

I was wondering that too....if my open port should be a closed window and the air currents coul dbe sufficeint to disrupt a flame....then maybe my oven issues would be over....There seems to be better oven results with our warmer weather and less running of the forced air furnace in the house....and there is a large heating vent very close to the stove.....I'm going for the Mica.

<font color="#FFFFFF" size="1">[ March 10, 2006 12:08 AM: Message edited by: lowracer ]</font>

Mark, bingo!! That is EXACTLY why we started the Chambers Convention, to capture all this good info before it drops off the 'Board.

Lowracer- Although I bought new mica for my stove, I wanted to see if I could clean the old mica. I washed it with an ammonia and soap solution and it came out fairly clean. In fact I saved the piece just in case I needed it in the future.

Is this port you are talking about the oblong hole adjacent to the hole you stick your flame in to light the oven down towards the bottom? I would like to get a piece of mica also, please let me know of any extra strips and I will gladly pay...V

<font color="#FFFFFF" size="1">[ March 10, 2006 12:09 AM: Message edited by: lowracer ]</font>

Mark or Bill

I'm a little lost, as usual......Do you remove the mica to light the oven?? It is suppose to be attached to what part of the oven??I got down on all fours and looked & still can not figure out what you guys are talking about.

Big Bertha is a 14-B and on the bottom of the oven door is a black plate thingy 2"x2 3/4" that is original and says "light here, cook with the gas turned off". It seems it would cover the flash tubing when door is closed.
Is that the "mica" or an earlier version of it??

Sorry guys, I'm just not a tech person!! Although, I do know how to callibrate now!!

Berlyn

Berlyn,

The mica window is located below the oven door. It looks like an elongated slit that you can see on the front panel below the oven door when the oven door is closed.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Gyrinophilus:
Berlyn,

The mica window is located below the oven door. It looks like an elongated slit that you can see on the front panel below the oven door when the oven door is closed.

---

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You could also see the mica window with the oven door open, but you would probably have to be flat on the floor to see it.

Got it now!! I was not looking "outside of the box/oven"
Lit the oven and could see the flame with oven door closed, while down on all 4's!!
Imagine, June Cleaver doing that in her high heels, skirt and pearl necklace!!
Has anyone replaced theirs yet??
Mine is cracked and missing. Will need to be done.

Thanks!!

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

I did an internet search for "Isinglass and Mica". It is available in clear as well a smoke from a variety of different sources. Under one web page it stated you could use 2 pieces of mica for better heat retention. Any thoughts??

What would be the best and easiest way to install the mica???

Monday I will let my fingers do the walking in the yellow pages and see what I can get locally.

OK,
I found the port, it has a crinkly sound of something setting back of hole, porcelain 'surround' completely exposed as if nothing there. When oven lit there is no flame visible from outside through this view port.

Do ya think this is enough insulation for the retained heat feature? I have no idea how a install of the mica would happen, It wouldn't be in our capabilities...V

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

Again Mark, many many thanks you's!!

The visual aides are just top notch, even that maroon arrow!!

You have taken all of us another step forward!!

Berlyn

Thanks Mark for the terrific photos. You bring such great info to light, that gives me hope of giving Opal a spa treatment real soon! Please keep em coming.

<font color="#FFFFFF" size="1">[ March 10, 2006 12:11 AM: Message edited by: lowracer ]</font>

Mark:

You are the best! "Visual Aids"! What a concept.

My question is: where can a guy get a good mica flange, anyway? Mine are all corroded to dust, and I'm considering just punching out a few from sheetmetal, unless there's some easy source.

Joe

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

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