Trying to help diagnose over the phone. Besides pictures I have not seen this myself, yet. I’ll be on site next weekend to help. I advised a pro to sweep and inspect because the stove was not burning correctly with smoke back into the house. Sweep report, about a coffee can of debris removed and the top 12" to 18" a start of a thin layer of level 3 glaze started. Sweep advised to burn a chimney sweep log every two weeks for the rest of the season to help with the glaze removal when final brushing at end of season. Burn season will be over in approximately another month to month and a half. Sweep did not mention anything about the baffle installation. Papa bear stove. 8" rear exit. Approximately 14’ exterior masonry chimney. Approx 4’ single wall from stove connector to chimney connector. One bend approx 22* at the single wall to masonry connection and a Tee connection at the stove. Baffle installed by other family prior to this burn season. 3/4 plate, yes, 3/4" steel plate. I don’t know the angle of the baffle but from bottom of 8" outlet to just above lower step bend. Will a baffle added to a Fisher Papa lower stack temps enough to start build up level 3 in the top 18” of a clay lined flue? I know the wood is as dry as it can be in our climate don’t have a meter reading but it’s 3-4 year shed stacked fir. Approximately 4 - 5 cords burned to date. My thoughts. I’m thinking the baffle is too close to the stove body and not allowing enough flow. I don’t know the math on this right now. Open the choke point for better natural exhaust flow. The extra heat directed to the stove top from the baffle is causing an earlier air intake shutdown which is creating more smolder time. Need smaller, hotter fires instead of filling to the gills. I know the baffle angle can affect things, but I don’t know how right now. No thoughts on this right now. Any thought or idea are gladly welcomed. She wants to keep the big baffle. I will gladly change it for 3/8 I have laying around. I’m not ready to unnecessarily wrestle 3/4 plate in that small space. I’d like to eliminate as much as possible before removing and starting the dreaded trial and error process. Owl
