Baffle messed up?

[Dmitry]

I did have my baffle replaced recently. The technician came out and he said that it is fine to burn even if it is warped . Everything was under warranty so they came out and replaced it for free and I have a new baffle now. I am Not sure the kind of steel that it's made out of though .

I'm still burning with mine warped/fixed by me/warped again. After taking it apart and looking at the unit inside I believe it is ok to burn as well.
Still kinda amazed why they gave me run around since I've installed it myself and changed for you since they have installed it. I can see the reasoning : they made more money on your stove so it acceptable to put more effort in fixing it. But technicaly my stove under the same warranty as well. I might ask them for new baffle in a spring if will have some energy for it.
Anyway, keep us posted about new baffle condition.

 

[webby3650]

I could watch smoke and secondary flames from the center tube completely bypassing the front tube because it was so warped. You can't tell me that doesn't effect performance. That's beside the point really, it's a $4K stove that warps, that's wasn't ok with me. Travis Industries is ok with it though...

 

[Dmitry]

I could watch smoke and secondary flames from the center tube completely bypassing the front tube because it was so warped. You can't tell me that doesn't effect performance. That's beside the point really, it's a $4K stove that warps, that's wasn't ok with me. Travis Industries is ok with it though...

I see your point. The stove has it flows. But at this point not much we can do. Just to watch that baffle to make sure it is not crazy warped.They not gonna replaced stove because of it.

 

[webby3650]

I see your point. The stove has it flows. But at this point not much we can do. Just to watch that baffle to make sure it is not crazy warped.They not gonna replaced stove because of it.

You are correct. If you don't have an exceptional dealer, then you are on your own with Lopi. It's sad but true..

 

[Bushfire]

You are correct. If you don't have an exceptional dealer, then you are on your own with Lopi. It's sad but true..

I'm still a little annoyed that Travis are failing to recognize the problem/issue. Even my dealer's show room version has warped, as has his own at his home. If it gets crazy bad, I'll be following up more. So far this year it's not warped any more than it had/did last year, so I guess that's a good thing. I certainly don't see the point in replacing the baffle if the same thing is going to happen, but if they make a switch/change to the baffle design/material, I'd be interested in switching out to that new one.

 

[davo]

I'm still a little annoyed that Travis are failing to recognize the problem/issue. Even my dealer's show room version has warped, as has his own at his home. If it gets crazy bad, I'll be following up more. So far this year it's not warped any more than it had/did last year, so I guess that's a good thing. I certainly don't see the point in replacing the baffle if the same thing is going to happen, but if they make a switch/change to the baffle design/material, I'd be interested in switching out to that new one.

I would be interested to see if they are aware of the issue. I got mine replaced under warranty, but how many people have actually done that? If dealers are saying its OK to burn with it warped, how will the manufacturer find out if no one insist it being replaced? How would Travis know? As I said, I burned with it for 3 months and did not notice an impact on performance, burn times, or heat output. However I am sure down the road 3-5 years it might need to be replaced. That's why I decided to get it replaced under warranty. As someone said, maybe it is a different kind of baffle and bad metal that is being used and they may come out with something in the future if they make a change.

 

[Bushfire]

I would be interested to see if they are aware of the issue. I got mine replaced under warranty, but how many people have actually done that? If dealers are saying its OK to burn with it warped, how will the manufacturer find out if no one insist it being replaced? How would Travis know? As I said, I burned with it for 3 months and did not notice an impact on performance, burn times, or heat output. However I am sure down the road 3-5 years it might need to be replaced. That's why I decided to get it replaced under warranty. As someone said, maybe it is a different kind of baffle and bad metal that is being used and they may come out with something in the future if they make a change.

My dealer got in contact with Travis and were told, by Travis, that the warping is normal and not an issue. Now, would I rather it not warp? Yes!

 

[jdp1152]

Having the same issue as you guys. Was just getting the stove ready for winter and notice the back right was warped upward. I had not noticed this previously. Supposed I'll contact the dealer so they can also let it be known, but kinda frustrating to see that going on with a pricey stove.

 

[webby3650]

Having the same issue as you guys. Was just getting the stove ready for winter and notice the back right was warped upward. I had not noticed this previously. Supposed I'll contact the dealer so they can also let it be known, but kinda frustrating to see that going on with a pricey stove.

Mine was the front right corner.
I would definitely let the dealer know of the issue.

 

[Dmitry]

Let us now how did it go with dealer , I got mine from Dean stove in Southington , CT . They told me it's normal for buffer to warp a little . Then they told me to bring it in so they can hammer it back to normal if it's too much.

 

[webby3650]

Let us now how did it go with dealer , I got mine from Dean stove in Southington , CT . They told me it's normal for buffer to warp a little . Then they told me to bring it in so they can hammer it back to normal if it's too much.

That's exactly what I would expect for a $4,000 stove...

 

[Dmitry]

Having the same issue as you guys. Was just getting the stove ready for winter and notice the back right was warped upward. I had not noticed this previously. Supposed I'll contact the dealer so they can also let it be known, but kinda frustrating to see that going on with a pricey stove.

How long you've been using it and what is your burning pattern , are you satisfied with performance overall ?

 

[jdp1152]

This will be third year. No complaints other than some rattle in the fan at certain speeds. I'm on an exterior chimney so my burn times are less than overnight, but I'm also more of an ambiance Burner who doesn't need it to heat other than power outages. I was planning on getting a bigger one for my other chimney. Would require removing the metal plenum, but it's big enough. I was considering this same one until this issue arose. Seems strange that any warping is deemed acceptable in a stove.

 

[Dmitry]

This will be third year. No complaints other than some rattle in the fan at certain speeds. I'm on an exterior chimney so my burn times are less than overnight, but I'm also more of an ambiance Burner who doesn't need it to heat other than power outages. I was planning on getting a bigger one for my other chimney. Would require removing the metal plenum, but it's big enough. I was considering this same one until this issue arose. Seems strange that any warping is deemed acceptable in a stove.

I think it's metals fault . I took it out of insert after dealer told me it can be fixed by hammering . I hammered the baffle back to original form but it was back to warped after first fire . And it was like half box load, not a hot fire

 

[SuperGenius]

FWIW, I bought a 2-year old FPX Flush Wood Plus (non-cat, not sure what the "plus" means), and the very much non-stainless steel baffle was badly warped in both directions. I propped it between a couple of 2x4s and jumped on it to straighten enough to reinstall. It still has a gentle curve front to back, so the bypass damper plate doesn't quite sit flat, which I'll address at some point.

Although it looks like it sits directly on the air tubes, my baffle rests on four metal tabs welded to the firebox at the top corners (I noticed that after trying way too long to get the front tube back in its hole). I'm not sure if a thicker piece would fit, or be much less apt to warp. If that's the biggest issue with this insert, I'm okay with it.

 

[davo]

FWIW, I bought a 2-year old FPX Flush Wood Plus (non-cat, not sure what the "plus" means), and the very much non-stainless steel baffle was badly warped in both directions. I propped it between a couple of 2x4s and jumped on it to straighten enough to reinstall. It still has a gentle curve front to back, so the bypass damper plate doesn't quite sit flat, which I'll address at some point.

Although it looks like it sits directly on the air tubes, my baffle rests on four metal tabs welded to the firebox at the top corners (I noticed that after trying way too long to get the front tube back in its hole). I'm not sure if a thicker piece would fit, or be much less apt to warp. If that's the biggest issue with this insert, I'm okay with it.

I have had my stove for 3 years and it is awesome. Heats really well in the dead of winter. I have not had any problem with customer service either. Although it did take them awhile to come out and fix the baffle, it was taken care of right before the burning season and replaced with a new one. With the new one replaced, I have not noticed any warping or the baffle bent at all. So far, the insert has exceeded my expectations with burn times of 10+ hours and keeps the house 70+ in the winter.

 

[NoobTube]

I figured I'd jump in here. Davo, I live in CT and I was thinking about getting a Lopi like you have. I had stayed away from Deans due to some pretty horrific stories I heard regarding their service and and willingness to warranty certain items. Although it sounds like you are having a pretty good experience.
That being said, I went to Blazing Hot in Oakville, and I asked the owner about Lopi and he said, "I don't carry them, but they are great stoves with one major flaw." Top baffle warps all the time and Travis thinks its normal for it to do that." He said the same thing about Pacific Energy as well, which he does carry. But he said he gets excellent support for them, albeit after its out of warranty the plate costs quite a bit to replace.

Personally I was all for getting a Lopi, but after reading into the warping baffle issues and the cost associated with replacing them I ended up staying away from it. Clearly it works well for you, but I'd be curious to hear how many times you are going to have to hammer it back out or replace it over the next several years. Hopefully Travis Industries will redesign or provide a replacement part that will fix that warp. Perhaps the new plate you got is an improvement on the one that was originally in the stove. Good luck with your stove! Its one of my favorite looking stoves out there with the exception of maybe the Jotul 550 Flush insert.

 

[Bushfire]

I have had my stove for 3 years and it is awesome. Heats really well in the dead of winter. I have not had any problem with customer service either. Although it did take them awhile to come out and fix the baffle, it was taken care of right before the burning season and replaced with a new one. With the new one replaced, I have not noticed any warping or the baffle bent at all. So far, the insert has exceeded my expectations with burn times of 10+ hours and keeps the house 70+ in the winter.

Was that customer service with Travis or with the dealer? My dealer called Travis and got the "it's normal" response, so nobody was willing to replace my baffle. I'm wondering if Travis have changed their response and are now replacing baffles, or whether it was your dealer who was willing to do that, but then they must have gotten in touch with Travis for a replacement, no?

 

[NoobTube]

It was the dealer:
Take a gander...
https://www.google.com/webhp?source...s&lrd=0x89e7b7f3df25b583:0xedda46cb2ad9f45e,1,

 

[davo]

Was that customer service with Travis or with the dealer? My dealer called Travis and got the "it's normal" response, so nobody was willing to replace my baffle. I'm wondering if Travis have changed their response and are now replacing baffles, or whether it was your dealer who was willing to do that, but then they must have gotten in touch with Travis for a replacement, no?

Good question. I assume they had to get the replacement part from Travis in order for them to put in a new part. That being said, once the part came in, they replaced it and everything was covered under warranty.

 

[Bushfire]

It was the dealer:
Take a gander...
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=deans stoves reviews&lrd=0x89e7b7f3df25b583:0xedda46cb2ad9f45e,1,

That's interesting. I used to live in NE CT and actually got my first Fireplace Xtrodinair from Dean's back in 2002 or 2003. I wonder if Dean's just took a hit and bought a replacement from Travis to keep the customer happy, or whether my dealer is BS-ing me. I guess I could try calling Travis directly.

 

[davo]

That's interesting. I used to live in NE CT and actually got my first Fireplace Xtrodinair from Dean's back in 2002 or 2003. I wonder if Dean's just took a hit and bought a replacement from Travis to keep the customer happy, or whether my dealer is BS-ing me. I guess I could try calling Travis directly.

I would call Travis directly and see what your response is. I had mine installed on Nov. 2014 and going on my third heating season. I havent had to contact them, I worked directly through Deans.

 

[Pertzbro]

Mine warped within the second or third fire! Going to leave it since it still puts out heat. Everything else seems to be well built but that's absolutely ridiculous to warp so quickly. Clearly not thick enough.

 

[NoobTube]

I think likely Deans took a hit on it. They are probably the largest retailer of stoves and fireplace accessories in CT, with Blazing Hot and Superior coming up in a close second. I'm not trying to bash Deans (too much) but my father, my brother and I all bought our stoves, all withing 7 years of each other from Blazing Hot and we all have had nothing but great things from consultation, to purchase, to installation, to any kind of service.