Rigid Rockwool for baffle?

[Easy Livin’ 3000]

Would rigid Rockwool make a good baffle above the tubes? Perhaps sandwiched between a couple of sheets of expanded steel for protection and stiffness?

Would be way cheaper than most OEM baffles from the stove manufacturers.

I've had three OEM vermiculite baffles fail from thermal shock. Fortunately still under warranty, and eventually they upgraded me to the c-cast that they use in their higher cost models. But the Rockwool idea is intriguing to me.

 

[begreen]

The c-cast should do well. I'm surprised to hear of the thermal shock problem. That is uncommon.

 

[Easy Livin’ 3000]

The c-cast should do well. I'm surprised to hear of the thermal shock problem. That is uncommon.

I have a theory that the top of the baffles that failed were wet from horizontal rain coming down the liner, and my technique for starting the fire was pedal to the metal before I figured out that a slower acceleration was a better way to go. SBI stood behind the warranty, so I'm totally satisfied with the stove.

If I come across ridged Rockwool locally, I might buy a package and try it out as a baffle.