A baffle plate, also known as a throat plate, is a crucial stove part in any wood-burning or multi-fuel stove. It is normally a flat metal plate located inside the stove, positioned just below the flue or chimney. The baffle plate is normally constructed from cast iron to maximise its lifespan, however sometimes it can also be made from vermiculite. Some companies choose this thanks to vermiculites superior properties of heat retention.
Main Functions of a Baffle Plate:
- Improve Efficiency: Essentially the baffle plate in your stove acts as a deflector. When heat from the burning flames in your stove rises, the baffle plate deflects this back into the main firebox of your stove. This ensures more heat is retained in the stove, rather than escaping up the chimney. This helps to improve the efficiency of your stove, and is one of the reasons why a wood-burning stove is so much more efficient than a traditional open fire.
- Help Complete Combustion: As well as deflecting the flames back into the stove firebox, the baffle plate slows down the movement of gases and smoke, keeping them in the firebox for longer. By doing this, the promotes what is commonly known as a secondary burn which burns more particulate matter, preventing it from escaping into the chimney and then into the outside air. Since the introduction of the Eco 22 regulations (https://www.hetas.co.uk/ecodesign-2022/), many stoves feature a secondary baffle plate which further helps to reduce the amount of particulate matter produced.
- Protect the Stove Body: The final function is to physically protect the body of your stove, namely the lid of your stove, from the intense heat of the flames.
How to Remove a Baffle Plate from a Wood-Burning Stove
The exact process for removal depends on the make and model of your stove. However, here are some general steps and tips:
- Check the Instruction Manual: Always refer to your stove’s user manual for specific instructions. Each stove will be unique in its design, and although there will be similarities between many stoves, your manual should be able to advise the best way to remove your baffle plate.
- Wait Until the Stove is Cool: You should only ever try to remove your baffle plate, or carry out any other maintenance on your stove when it has completely cooled to avoid any burns or injuries.
- Inspect the Current Setup: Before carrying out any work, check for how the baffle plate is currently secured and held in place inside the stove. Normally it will be held in place by resting on lugs inside the stove, or on your side and back firebricks.
- Remove the Fire Bricks (if necessary): Often in order to release the baffle plate you will first need to remove the firebricks from inside the stove. Before removing these, again it is best to take a note of their current position so they can easily be replaced again.
- Remove the Baffle Plate:
- Sliding Out: On some stoves, the plate can be gently slid forward and tilted down to remove.
- Unhooking: Other designs may have hooks or lugs holding the plate. Lift or tilt the plate to unhook it.
- Unscrewing: If the plate is secured with screws or bolts, use a suitable tool to remove them.
- Take Note for Reassembly: Pay attention to how the plate is positioned before removing it so it can easily be put back into place with your replacement.
If at any point you are unsure or feel like you face an increased resistance while attempting to removal do not try to force it as this can cause damage to the plate itself, or other parts inside the stove such as the firebricks.