Can I remove rear shield on Englander?

I'm looking for a replacement stove for my little 650 sq. ft. 3-room cabin in Southern Louisiana. No, it doesn't get too cold here, but when it does you feel it. This old place is drafty, little insulation. My old Atlanta box stove isn't really cutting it. (Eating too much wood and smoky.) I'm leaning towards the Englander 13NC. The 17VL is also an option, but I'd really like to not be feeding it too often. Will I be overdoing it with the 13? I don't plan on using the blower and am wondering if the back shield could be removed, as it will live in the middle of the room and is not needed. I'd rather the stove radiate unhindered on all sides.

First time poster. Nice site. Thanks.

Why not call Englander and ask them? Most of us here tend to stick our stoves by a wall or in a corner, so we need that to reduce clearances.

If the 13 is anything like the 30, the rear heat shield is welded on.

In these type stove its the secondary burn up in the top giving most the heat. thus most of the heat radiated is out the top of the stove and the front of the stove.

The fire box is insulated with fire brick sides and back , so thats why alot of heat comes out the top and front also.

The NC-13 should be able to heat 650 sq foot easily.

You can always load it with less wood if it puts out too much heat.

Thanks everybody. Guess I can live with the shield. Just hope it doesn't melt down without the blower.

The shield is designed to take the heat with its built in clearance...Many people here run their stoves and don't use the blower at all, and everything is fine.