Is it safe to Roxul Insulation right atop insert?

So I finally removed the surround to my Jotul Rockland 550 insert.

While the block-off plate evangelists will not be happy (nor am I), I can see that my installer simply stuffed white insulation into the void between the stainless steel liner and the masonry.

However, there is a 6"- 8" gap from the top of the insert until the bottom of the white insulation already there. See included photos.

My questions:

1. Any reason why the installer left this gap?
2. Can I fill this gap with Roxul?
3. Is it OK if the Roxul touches the top of the insert?
4. Is it OK if the Roxul touches the stainless steel liner?

begreen said:

Looks pretty normal. They probably used kaowool and would not pack the fireplace free space with insulation.

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So are you saying that you would NOT pack the free space with Roxul or simply observing that my installer did not do this?

Soundchasm said:

The thing that made sense to me was that if you lose electricity to power the blower fans, you've got no way for excess heat to get out of the stove. You've put your stove inside another stove... At least you've got an airspace as a heatsink.

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Well that's 2 votes for leaving the airspace and not adding insulation. I'll wait to see if anyone has a different opinion.

My inclination is to add more insulation since I have plenty of it, and with insulation, more is usually better. My only hesitation is that it would be touching the top of the insert.

According to the manufacturer, Roxul is fire resistant to 2150 degree. At that temp, I'd start worrying about the steel of the insert melting!