The woodstove is the heart of our home during the cold winter months here in Vermont. We rely on it as the primary heat source, keeping our stove burning 24 hours a day when temperatures really plummet. So when part of our beloved soapstone woodstove broke recently, I knew it needed to be fixed right away.
The Problem
The other day while adding wood, my wife noticed a piece fall out from inside the stove. Upon closer inspection, it was clear the baffle had become damaged. The baffle is an important internal component that regulates airflow and combustion efficiency. With part of ours broken off, the stove was not functioning properly or providing even heat. A quick search online revealed that cracked baffles are a common issue if stoves become overloaded with too much wood pressing against the piece. We’re certainly guilty of trying to stuff in as much fuel as possible on bitterly cold nights! But it was now time for a repair.
Finding a Replacement Part
I called the manufacturer, HearthStone, to inquire about ordering a replacement baffle. They quoted me $140 for the factory component, more than I wanted to spend. After some quick searching on Amazon, I found an aftermarket baffle for only $54 – score! The right part at a fraction of the cost.
Cleaning Out the Stove
With the replacement baffle on hand, it was time to tackle the repair. First I let the stove fully cool and then started the process of completely cleaning out all the ash that had accumulated. This was long overdue anyway! I used a sturdy metal ash bucket and shovel to safely contain the cinders and ash. As a firefighting tip – always test for heat using the back of your hand first. And never put ashes into a plastic bucket, as they can melt through and cause fires even if they seem cool on top.
Once empty, I took the opportunity to vacuum out the interior with a shop vac. Now the stove was ready for baffle surgery.
Removing the Broken Baffle
Removing the damaged original baffle was simple. I just bent back the metal wires holding it in place and lifted it out in pieces. What remained of the old baffle was extremely degraded and lightweight, showing how important this repair was.
Installing the New Baffle
I inserted the new baffle down into the opening, maneuvering it between the heat transfer tubes. It dropped right into place, aligning with the front tube. After securing the wires around the ends, the baffle was installed and ready to go! It was obvious how logs jammed against this piece could cause it to break over time. We’ll have to be careful not to overload the firebox going forward.
Lighting a Test Fire
With the brand new baffle in place, it was time to fire up the stove again. I started a small test fire using the cardboard included with the part. Soon the soapstone was heating up nicely, radiating gentle warmth.
The Benefits of a Soapstone Stove
Our Hearthstone stove has been the best woodstove I’ve owned. The soapstone material absorbs the fire’s heat and has an amazing heat retention ability. It gently radiates warmth for up to eight hours after the fire has gone out! The even heat distribution keeps our home cozy and comfortable compared to the blasting hot spikes of cast iron stoves. I also love the glass window for fire viewing. The firebox door design makes loading wood a breeze as well.
Despite a small learning curve in figuring out the repair, the fix was straightforward. The stove is back up and running with that pleasant soapstone glow. Just $54 to replace a broken component sure beats the $140 factory part too. This experience was a good lesson in proper maintenance and not overloading the firebox. With the chill of winter still hanging on here in Vermont, I’m happy to again be warm by the fireside.
