Isle Royale Ceramic Baffle Replacement

PaulF said:

I posted this to a thread about about sources for ceramic material, but I think it should have been posted as a new thread since I am asking about replacement procedure.

I have owned an Quada-Fire Isle Royale for 5 years now and been happy with it. I was cleaning out ash today and found the ceramic baffle material that sits above the burn tubes was broken into 5 pieces and mixed in with the ash. I must have lowered it heavily onto a piece of wood when closing the baffle..

After reading threads about where to get replacement ceramic material, I ordered a piece of B12T12C from Skyline Components (http://skylinecomponents.com/In-Stock_CeramicFiber.html).

Does anyone have tips on replacing the ceramic material? I assume the burn tubes need to be removed to install it. I also see there is a narrower piece of ceramic on a plate sitting behind the movable baffle plate. That ceramic looks OK, but if I need to replace it, how is it adhered to the stationary plate?

I assume I should not fire my stove until I replace the ceramic under the tubes because the metal above the tubes might get too hot. Is this true, or can the stove be operated safely without the ceramic but would run less efficiently?

PaulF

Click to expand...

The smaller ceramic piece in the rear is attached to the plate with two bolts and washers.

To replace the rotating baffle ceramic the burn tubes have to be removed. I haven't replaced mine (yet) but I think I would remove all but the back tube, slide the new ceramic in, then install the other tubes, taking care not to bend the fragile ceramic.

I would also apply plenty of penetrating oil so you don't break the bolts off while unscrewing them.

My Isle Royale baffle board is cracked and so it wants to move when vertical. Solution: Cut small pieces of rope gasket and wedge between tube and board or between baffle sides and board. This got me through another season. But the cracks are widening and chunks are falling out. I'll be lucky if I make it through this winter.

I need to replace the board but don't want to pay obscene dealer markup. (Same reason I DIY instead of taking my car to dealer for service.) Looked online but everybody is wholesale/bulk. There's a factory near me so I called and pleaded with them to sell me just one board but they would not. They said they get many calls from stove owners trying to avoid obscene dealer markup.

Had to replace the rear board (attached with 2 bolts). I bought at dealer and assumed I was getting the official part. But this piece lasted a year and broke. Very lightweight and fragile, not as dense as original piece.

Now that Isle Royale is discontinued I am scared replacement parts will get even more expensive or unavailable.

I have fond memories of when people bought wood stoves to save money on oil. Those days are long gone. Only way I could justify it was to buy used stove and chimney and install myself, I could never afford dealer prices, would take years to break even and start saving on my oil heat.

Still have not read why IR was discontinued. This site has some posters who seem to know some inside info but they never reveal their identity or their sources, which makes me suspicious.