New insert missing important part expert advice needed

[woodhog73]

Hello
My new quadrafire 3100i insert I just realized is missing the top baffle that sits at the top of the fire box on top of the burn tubes. I was looking in my owners manual and see that there is a baffle and then on top of that is a ceramic fiber blanket.

Well the ceramic blanket is there and that's it. It's sitting on top of the burn tubes. But the manual shows another piece under that which is labeled the baffle.

I've burned over a cord of wood so far. It burns fine, heats fine. Obviously I want to get the other missing piece but do you think I've damaged anything ??

 

[webby3650]

Wow! I definitely wouldn't use it till you get a baffle. Was it a display model? If so I bet they were in a pinch and took it out for a repair.

 

[woodhog73]

As a matter of fact it was a display model.

 

[webby3650]

As a matter of fact it was a display model.

Well, there ya go!

 

[littlericky]

I agree with Webby, I wouldn't use that insert until you have the proper baffle! I would also make them give you a new fiber blanket! By the way that is a great heater you have.

 

[woodhog73]

I let it go out and was going to clean it today since it's in the 40s. I won't use it until I have a baffle.

I'm new to inserts . So what kind of damage could have occurred ? What exactly does the baffle plate do that the ceramic blanket plate couldn't do ? Too much heat going up the flue ( 6 inch flex liner attached directl to insert)

If all I need is a baffle no big deal I'll make sure they give me one. But what about premature damage to the stove or flex liner ? Any concerns there ?

 

[littlericky]

Someone with more experience then me can chime in but I think you will be ok. I would just inspect the stove good while you are cleaning it out. I think the baffle helps the stove retain heat which will keep your temps up in your firebox so your secondaires light off nice and you get a proper burn.

 

[webby3650]

I doubt you have any issues. The baffle is primarily to obtain a higher efficiency. That being said, the stove is designed to be used with a baffle. Changing the flow of the draft could cause an overfire situation. The blanket is added to the baffle to increase firebox temperatures, typically only if more efficiency is needed during testing. Another possibility is that the blanket could be sucked into the flue collar while you are burning. Some manufactures lay a piece of metal on top of the blanket to prevent this. Without a baffle at all I'd say this a very real possibility.

 

[woodhog73]

Thanks for the replies and help.

What they are calling a ceramic blanket to me is more like a ceramic plate. It's roughly 1/2 inch and solid. But it's ceramic similiar to fire brick material. Then under that is supposed to be a baffle plate which I'm assuming is made of steel.

So if I'm understanding this the ceramic plate I have by itself probably still provided some insulation and did the job of a baffle anyways ? For sure I have had no problems getting the secondary burn around those burn tubes.

Thanks again. I've emailed the owner of the hearth store and asked they send someone to inspect my stove and to install the baffle I never got.

I got a good deal on this insert because it was a floor model. But I wasn't expecting it to be missing stuff !

EDIT......so perhaps I'm confused. What are baffles normally made of ? I just looked online for ceramic blankets and they come in a role ? Looks like a role of house insulation which would explain the being sucked up in the flue comment? So I'm wondering if what I thought was my ceramic blanket is in fact the baffle and it's made out of lightweight ceramic type material ? It's not foldable it's a solid plate. If that's the case I'd be missing the ceramic blanket material.

 

[webby3650]

Sounds as if all you are missing is the blanket then. The cerimac board is a common material for baffles.

 

[woodhog73]

Webby......yes I think that's what I'm missing. I feel like an idiot for confusing the two items.

What's in there is solid board so I'm sure it must be the ceramic baffle board. But that blanket stuff that reminds me of house insulation is not there . Sounds like I don't really need the blanket then to burn the stove ? Sounds like the only thing it does is provide better efficiency ?

Thanks again for all the info

 

[webby3650]

Webby......yes I think that's what I'm missing. I feel like an idiot for confusing the two items.

What's in there is solid board so I'm sure it must be the ceramic baffle board. But that blanket stuff that reminds me of house insulation is not there . Sounds like I don't really need the blanket then to burn the stove ? Sounds like the only thing it does is provide better efficiency ?

Thanks again for all the info

That's correct. I wouldn't worry too much about the blanket.

 

[mellow]

You have the ceramic hard baffle. The blanket also gets thrown away by some chimney sweeps, wondering if the install guys chunked it not knowing what it was. I would still ask the seller to get you one and put it back up there as it helps keep the temps up in the firebox and will help with keeping your wood consumption lower (how much is up for debate). Not hard to install, hopefully he will give you the circle weight that goes on top of the blanket as well.