Purpose of Top Baffle Insulation - can I live without it?

[djjudd]

Hi all, I own an Englander 500-I and purchased it just a couple years ago. I went in to do a clean and check on the stove and when I removed my reburn tubes and baffle, I saw that I had broken a piece that mounts to the top of the insert. I contacted Englander and they gave me the replacement part which is referred to as "Top Baffle Insulation". I'm not sure if this piece broke in shipping, during use or when I had it cleaned last year. What I am trying to determine is the purpose and necessity of this part.

Any insight on what this does would help me digest a $200 bill to replace it. Also, could I just reinstall the pieces and continue to use them despite being cracked?

Thank you in advance, my wife, dog and I are eager to get this issue resolved so that we can enjoy the first fire of the year. Its certainly getting to be that time of year along the Ohio River Valley in Southwest Ohio.

 

[Burnin Since 1989]

Do you have the missing piece?

 

[djjudd]

Do you have the missing piece?

I do!

 

[Burnin Since 1989]

I do!

what is it made of? The Englander site shows it as a part, but doesn't include what it's made of.

22" x 14" x 1 1/4" C-CAST 3.5 SERIE BAFFLE

I grew up in the burbs, about 10 miles west of downtown Cincy.

 

[djjudd]

I think the part you came across is the main baffle. I have the main baffle and its in great shape still. I attached a photo for reference.

The part they sent me which is what broke can be found at this link https://www.myfireplaceproducts.com/us/en/parts/insulating-and-refractory-products/adhesives-gaskets-and-insulation/21564/
This part seems to be the same material as the baffle, its the C-cast material, also sometimes referred to as Superwool.

 

[Burnin Since 1989]

That's odd, their own site doesn't even show that part. Unless yours is a different version?

I'm not any sort of expert on stoves or inserts, but I know a thing or too about money. The keep it in your pocket versus the giving it away parts of money, anyway.

If it were me and my insert, before I would spend $200- for a part like that, I would try to fix what I have. I'm thinking some high heat woodstove door gasket cement might do the trick. It's available online with free shipping for about $6 to $10. Rutland and Midwest are both good name brands. You want the high heat stuff that's good to 2000 degrees F. Regular glues won't work and could create fumes that would make you sick.

Anyway, good luck and keep us posted on what you decide and how it works for you.

 

[stovelark]

Always best to keep your wood stove at 100%- if the part is broken, best to replace it. Remember you are inviting fire in your home, treat it respectfully. That part you are talking about is there to control air flow in stove, keep it in the stove as long as possible, to stay hot as possible to perform secondary burn function and to garnish as much heat from the stove to you. Its important, and its important to keep it correct. Keep warm.

 

[begreen]

what is it made of? The Englander site shows it as a part, but doesn't include what it's made of.

22" x 14" x 1 1/4" C-CAST 3.5 SERIE BAFFLE

I grew up in the burbs, about 10 miles west of downtown Cincy.

C-Cast is the material. It's a lightweight cast ceramic refractory material. I read once that is was originally developed for the space industry. I think generic ceramic fiberboard could work in this application, especially if it is higher-density. But, it would need to be cut to fit.