Cracked/Damaged top plate near secondary holes.

Hi all,

I just noticed that the top plate(not removable) is damaged. It is warped, and there is a hole. I am concerned.
I'll keep an eye on it today, but I was not planning on buying a new stove.

Any opinions on the safety of this. The gap is near the secondaries.

CFM240007


Thanks,
NJT

more info-
Stove has cooled off enough to really look. I remove the 2 bricks that lead too the chimney, and there is some kind of metal tray up there moving around. and insulation.

If that helps...

It's warped pretty bad. I don't know where the camera is..

I am also trying to figure out what that plate is that is moving around.

Yup, it's the baffle assembly that's loose. Found this :
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...ry-fw240007-used-but-where-to-get-info.53649/

So now, i guess shopping for a new stove. I Just last week started a new job, so I may try to limp this one along until friday, when I have off
Do you think it's ok to burn until then?
I don't have a furnace.
I do have one electric portable radiator, but it won't do the house.
Thanks BeGreen..

I can fit my finger in the hole. when I poked it with the poker. it opened up. Now everything else feels solid. Hole is about the size of a dime.
I just fired up the stove, and it looks normal..

Thank You BeGreen.
I ran it for 2 hours, and it was normal. Actually had slow rolling flames, secondaries, etc.
So, I guess I'll have to start stove shopping, but at least it doesn't have to be dealt with today.

Corey, Yes, it's welded in.
Matt, I guess this is the price I pay for burning mostly pallets, and running it hard. I have that aversion
to turning on the furnace. Matter of fact, it's been off since 2009. I tried to get the furnace on yesterday, and the motor siezed. HA!

I may try to get a new stove in next weekend. Otherwise, no noticeable difference in the operation yesterday and last night. I didn't sleep much though...

Wow, maybe an improvement...
Started a nice fire yesterday evening with some maple. Had a nice coal bed at 7pm. Did not re-load.House was 76( A little warm for me to sleep)
At 6:45 am, house was 64. Decided to have a fire to take the chill off for the day, and actually had a few red coals under the ashes.
I am ok with that! The coals were not enough to start a fire, but still, only lost 12 degrees in 12 hours.... I did put on a new roof and tiled the living room and hallway floors in june. (Well, my contractor did..)

begreen said:

Do you see the firebrick through the hole? I'm wondering it you could have a piece of stainless steel 24 ga cut to slide in under the bricks to get you through the season? Or maybe it could be screwed onto the underside of the baffle?

Click to expand...

There is no firebrick where the hole is, but I did move that plate that is sliding around up there, and everything seems fine. I may try to put a plate over the hole on friday.

Just an update..
I did chicken out, and shut it down. Tried to fire the gas furnace(1954)-No good. Moved out, the house is for sale. I'm so far underwater
it is pathetic. Moved in with the parents. Me and the dog are fat and spoiled. Mom is cooking up a storm. I work for my Dad anyway, so it saves
the commute. The food is amazing!! They have a gas fireplace, the dog loves it.
We had a "Change of Hearth".

NJT