What is the white flaky material in the back of my woodstove?

[EAFW]

I have a VC Resolute Acclaim that I have been using full time for 3 months (and am pretty addicted to). In the last few burns occasionally when I opened the stove door a little smoke would come into the house (bypass open of course). I figured I should vacuum out the back of it to see if the holes in the back were clogged. When I vacuumed out the soot/ash from the holes, this flaky white material just under the holes started coming out as well. I had no idea there was a soft material in the back of the stove but I assume it is something that should be there. I thought everything in the stove was brick, steel, or cast iron. So there is a gouge in this white material but no holes that I can see. Whatever it is would now be exposed to fire if I light one. Can someone please tell me what that material is, what it's for, and if it is still safe to have fires now that it is a little flaked off/gouged in some areas? Should this be happening at three months? It was a brand new purchase. THANK YOU FOR TEACHING ME! :-S

 

[EatenByLimestone]

It's most likely insulation to help keep the firebox as hot as possible. The long term safety probably depends on how much you removed.

Matt

 

[Bub381]

I saw the same in my brothers Encore the other day. Looked like asbestos,broke apart quite easily.Just above the holes to the bypass.

 

[begreen]

Sounds like this might be the refractory breaking down. You'll want to keep an eye on this.

 

[EAFW]

Any idea why it would break down after so short of a time? Thanks for the help.

 

[begreen]

It's much more fragile than metal. Maybe it got knicked by being hit with logs too much? Hard to say. Can you post a picture?