Why has my wood-burning stove baffle warped or worn?

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Has the baffle of your wood-burning stove warped? If so, you might have noticed it looks a bit wonky when you remove it from your stove’s firebox. Equally, it might no longer be sitting correctly when you attempt to re-fit it.

Alternatively, you might have spotted a hole started to form in your baffle plate.

So, what has caused this damage to your baffle?

Warped woodburner baffle

The most common cause of a warped baffle plate is overfiring of your wood-burning stove. Overfiring is when your stove operates at too high a temperature. This can be caused by using too much fuel. It can also be caused operating the stove with the air vents open too wide or operating the stove with door open, both of which allow too much oxygen into your stove.

The high temperatures can cause the baffle or any of your stove’s other internal parts to become warped and misshapen. You can help to avoid this by using a stove pipe thermometer to check your woodburner is operating within recommended temperatures.

Worn woodburner baffle

Overfiring – as detailed above – can also create a hole in your baffle plate in the end.

Another cause of a hole in a baffle is failing to clean it regularly. The baffle plate is a favourite place for hot ashes to settle. If they are allowed to sit for a prolonged period, they might start to corrode the metal and eventually cause a hole to form.

Ensure you frequently remove your baffle plate and clean it.

Baffle problems

Baffles are destined to take a lot of punishment. They are positioned in perhaps the hottest part of the stove with the aim of keeping burning and unburnt gases in the firebox for as long as possible.

Nonetheless, some people can make a wood-burning stove baffle last for several years, while others find they have burned through or warped the baffle within a year. It all comes down to sympathetic stove operation. Check your stove manual for instructions on best practice.

Click here to find a replacement baffle for your stove.

16 thoughts on “Why has my wood-burning stove baffle warped or worn?

  1. I have fitted a new baffle and new rear brick and walls, and now we are experiencing smoke when we open the door, the baffle was really tight to fit so I dont know if I can move it any, its a franco belge fire.

  2. Our aga little wedlock baffle plate will not come out….we have been advised to try and crack it out. Any suggestions on how me can do this without breaking the stove. Thankyou

  3. Hi

    I have the same problem too, the baffleplate is warped and will not come out, it has also now got a hole in it, if anyone has managed to get theirs out i would like ve to know how?

  4. I just installed a wood stove in my sisters home and she claims the glass is warped, I didn’t know this glass warped. Break maybe but do they actually warp??

    • Hi Ron,

      It’s unlikely that it would warp since stove glass is built to withstand the heat. Possibly if there’s a hairline crack in the glass it could happen.

      The alternative is that the glass was warped during the manufacturing process.

      Thanks,

      Gr8Fires

    • Hi Diane

      No, if it’s just the paint that’s only an aesthetic issue (which probably won’t offend you for how often you see it).

      If it’s in a particular spot on the baffle, just make sure you’re not allowing ashes to gather and sit there, as this can lead to corrosion.

      Thanks,

      Gr8Fires

  5. I have a problem with my stove that I am concerned about. There are two baffles, an upper and lower. The lower is perfect but the top baffle is warped and needs replacing. Not an issue. But when I removed the baffles (which took some brute force and a lump hammer) I have spotted the top of the stove is warped in which actully bend the top baffle and the flue adapter is bend in on itself. The stove is only 3yrs only but I do know I overloaded the stove with brickettes that most likely caused the warp (a costly lesson). My concern is 1. Is it possible there is a bigger issue such as chimney collapse and 2. Is it a new stove sort of problem? I really can’t afford either right now and need a stove for the coming months

    • Hi Finbarr

      We’d suggest having a heating engineer or qualified chimney sweep come to check that all out for you.

      Thanks,

      Gr8Fires

  6. Hi I have a lilyking stove. I have had about 10 years. I have noticed there is a distortion on the baffle plate and a hole appearing . I am wo derive g if there has been some sort of chimney collapse. How do I get this fixed please. I live on my own and don’t know how to address this problem

    • Hi Valerie

      It’s probably the sort of wear and tear described in the article above. You will need to buy a replacement baffle plate.

      Many thanks,

      Gr8Fires

  7. Hi,
    why does my baffle plate keep breaking. we have the hunter for 12 years. only in the last year we have to keep changing the baffle, it keeps breaking and falling down. the stove id not overloaded and the chimney is cleaned every year.
    Thanks

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