Earth Stove Baffle Warped?

[86LG4T5]

Earth Stove BV400C was given to me a few months ago by someone switching to gas. I'm very grateful to have it and it heats very well. It did not have the catalytic in it and the person who gave it to me was already the second owner. I'm ready to order a catalytic but the floor of the baffle seems to be bowed down in the front. Could over-firing do this? Do I just hammer it back into place? Seems like pretty thick steel to be warped by heat.

 

[86LG4T5]

I went ahead and ordered the catalyst with the expanding foam gasket. The bow is 1/2 inch at the center of the opening.

 

[ruSSrt]

I went ahead and ordered the catalyst with the expanding foam gasket. The bow is 1/2 inch at the center of the opening.

How did you like your insert? Did expanding gasket covered the gap? Did you replace the cat also? where did you get it from?
There is one in my area popped up and I'm considering it. Want to go check it out first to make sure it's not a complete trash. But they want $500 for it and even if I have to replace cat on it it's still going to be a good deal if it's a good stove.
How is blower on it? Does it do well on pushing heat out in to the room?