After a snafu removing the baffle from our Castine, I spent more time studying the exploded view of the stove, and reading all the comments about it here in Hearth.com. I have several suggestions and conclusions.
1. If at all possible don't install this stove in a location where the top cannot be removed.
2. Before using the stove remove the 2 bolts that hold the top on. It is easier to to it then.
3. If you have to do it later, you can either reach up over the baffle, or remove the baffle through the front of the stove. Taking it out is not terribly difficult, but I think getting it back in properly through the front is very difficult, if not impossible due to the three gaskets that must be installed correctly.
4. After you clean the flue, lift the top off the stove and vacuum out the area over the baffle.
5. If you want to remove the baffle this is the time to do it. I would not take it out, unless you have spare gasket material (two sizes) or unless you won't need the stove before you can purchase gaskets. They may be fine and go right back together, but if they are damaged you will probably need gasket cement to keep them in place during assembly.
6. The gasket for the top was in great shape on my stove. In any event it would be easy to repair or replace, even if you had to do it a little latter. I don't think a small air leak at the top would have big effect on performance.
7. The reason I don't like putting the baffle back in from the front, is that there are two short gaskets that go on top of the top plate side inlets. You can't see these when the baffle is installed and would be difficult to install the baffle without damaging the gasket. The big gasket isn't a problem, but the small ones are.
Incidentally I now recommend sweeping the flue (assuming a straight shot down the flue into the stove) with the baffle in place. I have a 24' flue, and when I ran the brush into the stove, the connector (pipe coupling) caught on something and I had to come down the ladder and shove the brush up into the flue from the firebox. I don't know why jiggling it around did not free it, but it didn't. Leaving the baffle in prevents this problem since the brush can't go all the way into the firebox. You can always lift the baffle out after cleaning the flue, to finish cleaning the inside of the stove.
1. If at all possible don't install this stove in a location where the top cannot be removed.
2. Before using the stove remove the 2 bolts that hold the top on. It is easier to to it then.
3. If you have to do it later, you can either reach up over the baffle, or remove the baffle through the front of the stove. Taking it out is not terribly difficult, but I think getting it back in properly through the front is very difficult, if not impossible due to the three gaskets that must be installed correctly.
4. After you clean the flue, lift the top off the stove and vacuum out the area over the baffle.
5. If you want to remove the baffle this is the time to do it. I would not take it out, unless you have spare gasket material (two sizes) or unless you won't need the stove before you can purchase gaskets. They may be fine and go right back together, but if they are damaged you will probably need gasket cement to keep them in place during assembly.
6. The gasket for the top was in great shape on my stove. In any event it would be easy to repair or replace, even if you had to do it a little latter. I don't think a small air leak at the top would have big effect on performance.
7. The reason I don't like putting the baffle back in from the front, is that there are two short gaskets that go on top of the top plate side inlets. You can't see these when the baffle is installed and would be difficult to install the baffle without damaging the gasket. The big gasket isn't a problem, but the small ones are.
Incidentally I now recommend sweeping the flue (assuming a straight shot down the flue into the stove) with the baffle in place. I have a 24' flue, and when I ran the brush into the stove, the connector (pipe coupling) caught on something and I had to come down the ladder and shove the brush up into the flue from the firebox. I don't know why jiggling it around did not free it, but it didn't. Leaving the baffle in prevents this problem since the brush can't go all the way into the firebox. You can always lift the baffle out after cleaning the flue, to finish cleaning the inside of the stove.
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