fireplace metal block off plate seal/insulation and steel pipe questions

Hi there,

I am in the process to make a metal block off plate for my fireplace. There are two holes for the pellet stove exhaust pipe and air intake pipe. My question is what kind of insulation material i can use to seal those two holes? I bought a bag of fireglass in Homedepot plumbing department but I am wondering if it is ok to be used here because the temperature here will be very high at least for the exhaust pipe.

I plan to use stove gasket kit to seal the plate with the fireplace: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=67093-85334-GA1086&lpage=none

Another question is how can I cut the stainless steel pipe? Is this one (http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...N=10000003 90039&marketID=39&locStoreNum=2674) good enough for this purpose? or I can use small metal saw to cut it?

No experience, please point me to the right direction.

thanks,

lmei the recommendation is for kaowool
to insulate the plate. The pellet vent does not
get hot like a wood stove pipe btw. I can hold my hand
on it with the stove running and not get burned
but it's still recommended to use the kaowool.

I'd return that bag of fiberglass you bought and
see if they carry the kaowool. Ask for help in the
store to avoid buying the wrong this a second time.

Cutting the ss flex is easy with the right tool.
I used an air tool cut off wheel, but I'm sure HD sells
some sort of big tin snips that will cut the ss flex.


Again, ask for help in the store and tell them you are cutting stainless
steel flex pipe so you don't wind up buying something
that won't do the job.
Don't forget to wear gloves and eye protection when cutting that flex.
The edges are sharp as cat claws after cutting.

The user manual (http://content.hearthnhome.com/downloads/installManuals/man_1200i.pdf) page 14 and page 15 says: Use metal plate around exhaust vent pipe and seal all edges with non-flammable insulation such as fibreglass, mineral wool or ceramic." So I think the fiberglass should be ok here. But I don't know if the fiberglass has different types and different type can only be used at certain environment.