is it worth adding the bottom heat shield to an installed Oslo?

[newatthis]

We never got the bottom heat shield for our store-installed Oslo, which is installed on a hearth, so technically not needed. We got the short leg kit, so it is hard to measure the stone hearth temperatures directly underneath the stove. Tonight I was getting readings of about 150F with the IR thermometer, although the thermometer doesn't reach completely underneath.

I don't want to waste heat into the hearth (marble directly set onto concrete foundation, I believe). Is it worth it to put the bottom heat shield on at this point? Is it reasonable to ask the retailer to come back and put it on?

Thanks, all.

 

[firefighterjake]

I have regular legs . . . and a beefed up hearth . . . and I installed the bottom heat shield (mainly because I am a belt and suspenders sort of guy). I think it's worth doing . . . but when it comes to fire safety I will admit that I tend to really go that extra step oftentimes.

Incidentally, it should be a pretty easy installation . . . two bolts.

 

[newatthis]

it should be a pretty easy installation . . . two bolts.

Jake, does the installation of the bottom shield require removal of the legs? I was thinking it would require disconnecting the flue, etc.

 

[firefighterjake]

Jake, does the installation of the bottom shield require removal of the legs? I was thinking it would require disconnecting the flue, etc.

It's been awhile . . . but pretty sure you don't have to remove the legs or the flue . . . I think it is more or less a U-shaped metal shield that wraps around the bottom of the ash pan and has two bolts securing it to the ash pan. Don't quote me on that though . . . it's been awhile since I installed the stove.

 

[JonOfSunderland]

Nothing needs to be disassembled or moved. Just slides under the stove and bolts up.

 

[DanCorcoran]

Depending on your financial situation and how much the heat shield costs, you might consider a piece of steel (powder coated or plain) cut to fit beneath the stove. Just place it on insulators to provide an air gap. It'd be easy to lift out for cleaning beneath the stove, as needed.

 

[ccmac]

I am not sure why you believe you need the heat shield?? If you have a hearth in your house made of marble then the hearth will act as a heat sink and release the heat over time. You are not losing the heat, your set up sounds pretty good to me. I would not waste my time or money on a shield.

 

[newatthis]

I am not sure why you believe you need the heat shield?? If you have a hearth in your house made of marble then the hearth will act as a heat sink and release the heat over time. You are not losing the heat,

So, I was thinking that the marble hearth was set directly into the concrete foundation. And my impression from "heat mechanics" from reading this board is that heat into stone is sort of a black hole, it just gets wasted into the ground (or outside air, if single walled stone or brick walls/chimney). Maybe that is incorrect?

 

[webby3650]

The only thing that the heat shield will do is catch every bit of ash and dust around the stove.
Nothing has to come apart to get the shield on, but it's a pain in the butt with the short leg kit. Don't feel like the installers ripped you off, the shield is not typically left behind since it's not needed.

 

[Simonkenton]

You are correct, since the stove is above a concrete floor, all that heat going down is going down into the ground. Install that heat shield.

 

[rsw49]

I believe all the Jotul's are supposed to come with a bottom heat shield. I would think if you contacted the store you dealt with they would provide one. Ours requires one since we only have ember protection. As others have mentioned in other threads once installed I don't even notice it is there and have not noted any ash or dust accumulation.

 

[Mag Craft]

Depending on your financial situation and how much the heat shield costs, you might consider a piece of steel (powder coated or plain) cut to fit beneath the stove. Just place it on insulators to provide an air gap. It'd be easy to lift out for cleaning beneath the stove, as needed.

That is exactly what I did for my stove using 20 gauge sheet metal. I even made a piece that I can put in front of the stove also. I got tired of a lot of the heat going into the hearth and not into the room. When the heat gets into the hearth a lot of that heat goes out through the foundation of the house and not into the room. What I have works great for me and is easy to remove and put away when not in use and to clean around.