Does anyone can on their Walker cookstove?

One of our upcoming projects is an outdoor kitchen. For the cookstove, we're going to build a Walker full masonry stove. These stoves use salvaged glass stove tops, which seems like a really economical way to have a cooking surface. However, from what I've been told, glass topped stoves are not recommended for canning. Does anyone use their Walker stove for canning? Or have experience using glass top stoves for canning? I'd be careful, but I still worry I might accidentally crack the stovetop with a heavy canner. Should I look into an alternative cooking surface? If so, what?

This stove is still on my in the future list. I think this question was answered in this post by Matt.

Matt Walker   wrote:In their original configuration in a metal stove they have very little support so can flex under load and, yes, weight can break them.  In my stoves I always have multiple points of support underneath.  The tops ride on brick dividers that are designed such that they have no span greater than 10" or so.  I feel confident loading them heavily when designed this way.  

Hmmm. The picture didn't come with the quote. It's worth following the link in the above post. He has a picture of a glass topped rocket stove loaded with two canners.

Thanks Joylynn! That answers my question. The photo in the thread you gave the link for shows a large pot plus a pressure canner on top of this stove, and Matt's explanation is helpful.

We bought the plans and are collecting materials. So far, I'm not finding any bargains for old glass top stoves, but I'll keep looking.

Hi Leigh;
Salvaged cast iron griddles work great on Matts stoves.

thomas rubino wrote:Salvaged cast iron griddles work great on Matts stoves.

That's a good idea. I'm just having trouble finding any salvaged materials for a cooktop. Seems around here, they think those old glasstops are worth a fortune! Old wood cookstoves are just as bad. We're in an area where too many folks think they can make their fortune on "antiques."

I can’t speak for the Walker, but I have canned on glass topped stoves without any problems.

Hi Leigh ;
What size glass/cast iron is your top needing to be?

John, thanks! That's what I needed to know!

Thomas, the plans call for 2, 22" x 29.5" salvaged glass tops. However, I'm considering surfacing the oven side with tile (as pictured in someone's build) to use as a warming area. One thing I've learned about Craigslist, is that patience always wins the day. If I'm diligent to check daily, I eventually find what I'm looking for at a price I'm willing to pay. The other option is to check Habitat for Humanity or some of the area appliance repair shops. I haven't gotten that far yet.

I can't speak to the heavy pressure canner on the glass top, but I destroyed our glass top stove with a water bath canner, last fall. The bottom of the pot was not flat, and when it started popping with the heat(something I'd never even noticed, on any other stove top), it cracked the glass, which then completely cracked with the subsequent 2 quick cookings on it. We've decided that when we build our Walker, we will use a heavy steel flat-top.