What is this part called? Harman Invincible T

[fulltilt54]

Hi,
I have had this invincible T for years, it came with the house and I’ve replaced parts as needed to keep it running.

There is a 2” wide piece of metal that runs across the top of the burn chamber behind the top of the door. While cleaning the stove recently I found some flaking bits of metal that appear to be coming off this strip of metal. There also appears to be a 4” piece of this metal missing. I have no idea when this piece of metal came off or if it has been like this for the entire 19 years I’ve owned it. I thought it was an intentional gap for removing the baffles or something, but after looking at pictures of other Invincible Ts, I realize there is not supposed to be a gap.

Is this a deflector to help protect the flames from touching the glass? Should I drill a few holes in what’s left of it and bolt on a Piece of steel over it to cover the gap? I assume there isn’t a replacement part I could buy for this ancient stove. What are the risks of continuing using it as is? Thanks

 

[Tim_M]

I just stumbled on your old post and thought I would respond since no one else did. I checked my Invincible and it does have that same strip but without the gap. Not sure what it’s purpose is but if your stove has been working ok I wouldn’t worry about it too much. A previous owner must’ve cut it out for some reason since there’s no way it could’ve just fallen out. These stoves are tanks, mine still has all original motors and runs in my basement 24/7 for 5 mos each year.

 

[fulltilt54]

I just stumbled on your old post and thought I would respond since no one else did. I checked my Invincible and it does have that same strip but without the gap. Not sure what it’s purpose is but if your stove has been working ok I wouldn’t worry about it too much. A previous owner must’ve cut it out for some reason since there’s no way it could’ve just fallen out. These stoves are tanks, mine still has all original motors and runs in my basement 24/7 for 5 mos each year.

Thanks, I appreciate it. I was thinking maybe it’s a guard to keep the flames from licking the glass/seal on top of the door maybe.

I decided to buy a piece of stainless steel bar stock from McMaster-Carr and bolt that to the existing piece. I ended up securing it with some stainless steel hose clamps and it seems to be performing that function. It’s like the piece was tack welded at each end so there is enough play in it to get the clamps around it. I’ll probably leave it as drilling holes could damage what’s left of the piece in the stove.