Abstract: A water-cooled baffle used in a furnace to control the clearance gap between the bottom of the baffle and the hearth of the furnace. The baffle includes a first pipe that extends at least to the walls of the furnace and serves as an arbor to allow rotation of the baffle. The first pipe has cooling water entry and water exit ports at opposing ends, and a plate and core buster segments disposed inside of it to establish annular regions for water flow. A second pipe is connected to the first pipe in a manner to allow the flow of water from the annular region connected to the water entry port of the first pipe, through the second pipe, and then through the annular region connected to the water exit port of the first pipe.