Insulating batt on flue baffle (Regency)

[~smokey~]

I was wondering about the purpose and importance of the insulating batt placed on top of the flue baffle and held down with weights on my Regency medium R3/R9 woodstove.

I just bought this stove which is a 1988 model so I'm not surprised to find the batt missing, but I also couldn't find any hold down weights when I cleaned the stove, maby it never had the batt installed ? I've also read in the Regency instruction manual the use of a liner brick on top of the flue baffle so I'm not sure which should be used on this stove, any advice and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Highbeam]

1988 is pre-EPA, pre-emissions, don't expect to find an insulated baffle. You're lucky to have a baffle plate at all.

You won't find a catalytic converter on a 1965 corvette either.

 

[~smokey~]

Good to know, thanks Highbeam.

 

[Highbeam]

1988 is the year in which the EPA first began to regulate woodstove emissions. This has been a good thing for the hearth industry since the regulation is actually a success story leading to lower emissions, higher efficiency, and minimal cost increase over the old smoke dragons.

You can always add insulation up there but without the secondary air injection tubes, it won't create the afterburner effect of a modern EPA stove. Does your stove have those air tubes under the baffle plate?

 

[~smokey~]

I've seen variations of these tubes on different Regency stoves, mine was sitting in the ashes when I brought it home, from what I've read the tube is placed at the top front of the stove with the flue baffle sitting on top of it. holes facing forward. I'm not sure if this could happen but I'm a little concerned of the insulation getting loose and the possibility of blocking the chimney, should I place a liner brick on top the of the flue baffle instead ?