Pacific Energy Spectrum Classic Baffle Removal

[SaveTheGuns]

Hi guys and gals, first post in the forum.

I have a PE Spectrum Classic. It's ten years old, bought in 2004. I have never removed the baffle in the firebox because the instruction manual says:

"Chimney connector pipe should be disconnected from stove to clean and inspect. Only if this is not possible should you remove baffle assembly."

I have always removed the chimney connector pipe and cleaned out the ash and dust on top of the insulation, so I've never removed the baffle.

In the past three years I have seen decreasing output and colder fires and last year and the first couple of fires this year, my fires are cold and dark and I'm clearly not getting airflow. So I decided to remove the baffle, shake out the insulation and inspect the gasket and replace it.

However, after pulling the baffle pin in the back of the firebox, I can't get the baffle to lift or pull forward in the least. All I can get it to do is shift and wiggle a bit to one side or the other and it won't budge enough to come near to coming out.

* Am I doing something wrong?
* Could rust and the 25# weight of the baffle prevent it from coming out?

 

[Hogwildz]

You have to pull the pin, lift the back of the baffle up off the rear channel end, approx 1/4" or slightly more.
Slide baffle forward enough to clear the rear ledge, then slide to one side, let the other side drop down, then angle down and out.
If you can lift it up, it is possible it has been swept all these years and the sweepings are jammed between the baffle and the inside top of the stove?
Has the top of the baffle ever been cleaned off through the outlet when seeping the pipe?

 

[Grisu]

Does the baffle look like this?

If yes, you need to lift it up straight first. It's pretty heavy so use some force. Then tilt it a bit and pull it out. The holders on each side can also be tilted, which can make the pulling out easier and also later putting the baffle back.
The airchannel in the back has a gasket around it. You can buy one from your PE dealer for a few $ or make one yourself from some rope gasket.
Tip: When cleaning the flue, push a rag in the airchannel to prevent soot falling in there.

 

[begreen]

After the pin is out, lift straight up in the back to clear the secondary air feed tube and pull forward to clear it. Put a rag in this tube before cleaning so that sote doesn't drop down into it. The baffle is heavier than it looks, eat your Wheaties first.

 

[SaveTheGuns]

Thanks guys! I have been trying all of your tips and instructions already. But the back of the baffle will only come up about 1/4" at most. There are no sweepings,ashes or old coals in the way, it seems to be hitting part of the stove when I lift...
@Grisu, yes, the firebox is very similar to that one. I guess all I can do at this point is to keep trying or call in a professional...

 

[SaveTheGuns]

You have to pull the pin, lift the back of the baffle up off the rear channel end, approx 1/4" or slightly more.
Slide baffle forward enough to clear the rear ledge, then slide to one side, let the other side drop down, then angle down and out.
If you can lift it up, it is possible it has been swept all these years and the sweepings are jammed between the baffle and the inside top of the stove?
Has the top of the baffle ever been cleaned off through the outlet when seeping the pipe?

I have not cleaned the top of the baffle through through the flue pipe outlet, but have only scooped out the fine ash and soot from on top of the insulation pad, as far as I can reach. Correct me if I'm wrong, but cleaning off the top of the baffle through the top of the stove would necessitate pulling out the insulation pad first and I don't want to ruin the insulation.

 

[Grisu]

What kind of insulation pad? If you look through the flue collar into the stove you should see the top of the baffle steelbox. There are two blankets on each side but those should hardly be visible when looking from the top. Maybe that's your problem?
(broken image removed)

 

[Sprinter]

It really should lift enough to to clear the intake and pull forward. If it's stuck, maybe you'll need to persuade it a little with your hand. If that doesn't do it, I don't know. There shouldn't be any obstruction above it.

The baffle gaskets are notorious for deterioration, but I'm not sure it would explain your symptoms fully. That sounds more like a primary air or draft problem. However, it's going to need to be replaced for sure. I removed mine after only one season for cleaning and the gasket material was dust. I made a new gasket out of gasket rope ala a thread from Hogwildz a couple years ago https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...-custom-baffle-gasket-shes-cooking-now.23717/

Be aware that re-installing the baffle is a bit of a challenge to align everything up to where the baffle settles down over the channel and takes some patience. At least it was for me. I'm hoping with the rope gasket, I don't have to do it again for a long time.

 

[Hogwildz]

The top insulation pad should s.s. cover over it.
The photo Grisu posted is a good view. The side insulation in the photo is a bit misleading, as the two inserts I have owned, the insulation fits to the sides of the baffle, and neither of mine had it reach up and over the top of the baffle. The baffle is an assembly consisting of the baffle box, an insulation pad on top, and a cover over the insulation. It comes out as an assy also.
If you raised it 1/4" that may be enough to slide it forward. Did you try sliding the baffle forward after raising the back?
Some photos of the inside of you firebox and the baffle may be helpful.

 

[SaveTheGuns]

Thanks for your help! I truly appreciate it. But some guy on the staff named 'Webfish' with a buffalo avatar has told me to change my user name and avatar, which I utterly refuse to do, so this may be my first thread and last post. Funny, he said that my username and avatar have to be 'home ' or 'hearth' related, as if the name "webfish' and a buffalo avatar are 'home' or 'hearth' related. Again, I sincerely thank you for your help.

 

[SaveTheGuns]

What kind of insulation pad? If you look through the flue collar into the stove you should see the top of the baffle steelbox. There are two blankets on each side but those should hardly be visible when looking from the top. Maybe that's your problem?
(broken image removed)

Mine has a three-piece insulation, a top blanket and two side pieces of insulation.

 

[SaveTheGuns]

The top insulation pad should s.s. cover over it.
The photo Grisu posted is a good view. The side insulation in the photo is a bit misleading, as the two inserts I have owned, the insulation fits to the sides of the baffle, and neither of mine had it reach up and over the top of the baffle. The baffle is an assembly consisting of the baffle box, an insulation pad on top, and a cover over the insulation. It comes out as an assy also.
If you raised it 1/4" that may be enough to slide it forward. Did you try sliding the baffle forward after raising the back?
Some photos of the inside of you firebox and the baffle may be helpful.

I'm going to try it again today. Yup, I did try pulling it forward after lifting the back a bit, perhaps it just needs more coaxing and more muscle. I'm having some problems with bursitis in my shoulders and I suppose I can't lift, pull and tip it enough without a lot of pain. If I can't get it out, I'll call a pro or just clean it up as much as I can without removing the baffle.

 

[lindnova]

My guess is there is a lot of soot in there binding it up. More muscle may be needed.

Mine lifts and slides foreword pretty easy. Just push and rattle it around and it should come free.

 

[ridemgis]

Mine has a three-piece insulation, a top blanket and two side pieces of insulation.

Thanks for your help! I truly appreciate it. But some guy on the staff named 'Webfish' with a buffalo avatar has told me to change my user name and avatar, which I utterly refuse to do, so this may be my first thread and last post. Funny, he said that my username and avatar have to be 'home ' or 'hearth' related, as if the name "webfish' and a buffalo avatar are 'home' or 'hearth' related. Again, I sincerely thank you for your help.

I think the problem with your avatar is its political nature. This a place to talk about wood stoves, not the politics of gun control, a subject open to fierce debate and a distraction from what the site is really about, safe and efficient wood heat.