Difference in insert designs

[bsa0021]

Looking at inserts today and some had the back of the insert covered in thin sheet metal (pacific energy) and others (Hampton, Quad) had nothing covering the thick plate steel of the outer stove. What is the function of the two designs? Is one better than the other?
Thanks!

 

[karl]

Stoves radiate heat outwards. The sheet metal stops this radiation, well it slows it down alot. Then the air between the stove and the metal gets really hot and the fan blows this air outward.

 

[stejus]

Ditto what karl said. On the Hampton (HI300), the sides do not get very hot All of the heat is on the top of the stove. Air is drawn from below the stove and channeled through the back side and up over the top and through the top front of the stove As the cool air flows over the stove top plate, it is warmed. There's about a 1" gap between the stove top plate and the sheet metal top where the air flows.