Jotul 118 cb woes

[stek]

I have a lovely Jotul black bear that has been heating my 1000sq ft main living area for 14 years. It has developed the problem that plagues this model in that the baffle between the primary and secondary burn chambers has warped and cracked.

Nobody wants to do the repair, and I don't have the skills. It's located in a weird spot between two sliding doors so the only thing that will fit here would have to be long and narrow and I just really like this stove compared to everything else I've seen with these dimensions.

My question is this: what if I ripped out the warped baffle and used it without it? The secondary burn chamber is designed to be filled with fire too right? How important is the baffle?

 

[Todd]

Personally I wouldn’t burn it without the baffle, it would be dirty and a waste of wood. You could replace the baffle with the new two piece baffle from Woodsman Plus stove parts.

Jotul F 118 II Black Bear | Wood Stove | Available Parts

Jotul F 118 II Black Bear Wood Stove available parts include but not limited to flue outlet, burn plate, stove glass, plus many more

www.woodmanspartsplus.com

 

[EbS-P]

Is it just the baffle or are the burn tubes compromised?

 

[bigealta]

Yes the new replacement 2 piece baffle is supposed to be the fix for the warped 1 piece original baffles. If it's just the baffle that's damaged then definitely pull it out and put in the new one. I think it just sits in place. No screws or anything. Post a pic and we should be able to help.

$270 sounds a bit pricey. I thought they were around $150-180 a while ago?

 

[stek]

I think it's just the baffle, the tubes look OK though the front one fell out! I'll have to grab a pic.

From what I've read on here replacing the baffle requires taking the whole top of the stove off which I wouldn't even know where to start with. Is that true or is it easier than that?

This is our main source of heat and I'm definitely regretting not looking at it over the summer.

 

[Todd]

This may help.

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[stek]

Thanks, I did see this but it didn't show how to get the top off .. I may post on a separate thread for advice on how to do that unless anyone can offer advice here?

 

[Todd]

Maybe comment in the video for help or you could PM d.hermit for info. He rebuilds stoves so I bet he’s seen these before.

 

[Todd]

Looking at the parts list break down of this stove it looks like there are four bolts that hold the top down that you should be able to access by removing the top cooking plate. It probably also cemented in so may take a little persuasion to break free.

 

[stek]

Thanks so much! I'll look at the diagram closer. Makes a lot more sense that there would be something holding it together 😊

 

[stek]

Just wanted to post a follow up in case it can help others. The entire top of the stove (secondary burn chamber) had to come off to remove the old baffle. As Todd described above, the burn plate had to be unscrewed from underneath, and bolts in all 4 corners removed, and cement bonds broken to get the secondary burn chamber off. I had someone do it because if something broke or stripped I would have been out of my depth. It was about a 2.5 hour job for two people. While I still live the stove this is a terrible design for something considered a wear item.

We now have the two piece baffle which should be easier to replace in the future.