Run stove without baffle board?

Update: All's good up this end of the branch. Couple nights of burning the blanket on the grate and it looks no worse for wear even in spite of bad puns and the specter of being sucked up the flu. Haven't even been too shy about letting it get up to a good cruising burn either. Gonna head out and hang out with some friends this evening (guess there's some sporting event on they want to watch) and try getting my Humpty Dumpty baffle board on top of the grate when I get back. Figure that should last me for sure 'til my new board shows up. Probably I'll stash the grate aside for emergency baffle duty in the future too when it does.

Thanks for the help, experience, and encouragement all. I truly appreciate it!

 

It still wouldn’t hurt to throw a square of metal or a piece of rebar on top of the insulation ... Everything ALWAYS works well............ until it DOESN’T....

 

Good point.
Thinking I might store the grate on top of the blanket when I get the new board. Will fill that function and will be easy to find if I ever need it again.

 

I realized that my baffle board was broken into 3 pieces. I jigsawed them back into place. It's been fine.

I'll replace the baffle board at least before next season.

 

I love how cheesy the baffle boards and blankets are... For the price of the things you figure they would handle being removed for chimney cleaning... I'm not delicate but in no way am I careless and I rip that blanket a little every time I take it down...