Catalytic Converter question

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

josde21

Member
Mar 1, 2015
15
Vernon, NJ
Hi,

I have a question about the catalytic converter on my Vermont Casting Intrepid II stove. I am new to using catalytic style stoves as my whole life growing up I have only used non-catalytic stoves.....

I don't engage the catalytic converter often, but I was told recently I should as it provides more heat, and more consistent heat from the stove. I was told it burns better and hotter.

I had a pretty good fire going this evening, so I switched it over and engaged the catalytic converter.....It burned okay, but from the time I switched it over, it started burning less hot than before. It did burn slower, but not as hot.

I guess my question is, does that sound normal? Or does it sound like I may need to replace the catalytic converter?

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe
 
josde21 said:
Hi,

I have a question about the catalytic converter on my Vermont Casting Intrepid II stove. I am new to using catalytic style stoves as my whole life growing up I have only used non-catalytic stoves.....

I don't engage the catalytic converter often, but I was told recently I should as it provides more heat, and more consistent heat from the stove. I was told it burns better and hotter.

I had a pretty good fire going this evening, so I switched it over and engaged the catalytic converter.....It burned okay, but from the time I switched it over, it started burning less hot than before. It did burn slower, but not as hot.

I guess my question is, does that sound normal? Or does it sound like I may need to replace the catalytic converter?

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe
Click to expand...
If it makes it lesss hot something isn't right.
 
There are a lot of variables operating here that you haven't defined, so it's not possible to give a concise explanation on why your stove burned cooler once you engaged the cat. However, here is one scenario that would produce such an outcome: If you routinely burn your stove with the primary air wide open and the the cat bypass also open you would burn hot, like most stoves do when you leave the air wide open. When you close the bypass and the exhaust gasses start passing through the cat it could act like a damper and slow down your draft, thus reduce the heat of the stove. If you don't often engage the cat it could well have become clogged or partially clogged with ash, which is what would produce this dampening effect.

Of course there can be another reason for what you experienced and if you give more information about what air setting you had the stove on and the condition of your cat fellow forum followers might be able to narrow down the cause of your cooler burn.
 
Nick Mystic said:
There are a lot of variables operating here that you haven't defined, so it's not possible to give a concise explanation on why your stove burned cooler once you engaged the cat. However, here is one scenario that would produce such an outcome: If you routinely burn your stove with the primary air wide open and the the cat bypass also open you would burn hot, like most stoves do when you leave the air wide open. When you close the bypass and the exhaust gasses start passing through the cat it could act like a damper and slow down your draft, thus reduce the heat of the stove. If you don't often engage the cat it could well have become clogged or partially clogged with ash, which is what would produce this dampening effect.

Of course there can be another reason for what you experienced and if you give more information about what air setting you had the stove on and the condition of your cat fellow forum followers might be able to narrow down the cause of your cooler burn.
Click to expand...

Your assumptions were 100% accurate, thank you....I will pull the cat out tomorrow, and take a look, and try to post a photo....I pulled it out last in febuary or March last year..so it's due for an inspection.

I routinely run the stove full open primary air, and get it nice and hot....I rarely switch it to catalytic or minimize the primary air.

Thanks for giving me some ideas and a place to start.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
For Sale Hearthstone Bari for sale. Like new.
Replies
0
Views
336
Classifieds for Sale/ Wanted, etc.
jeffatsustainableheating
J
V
Drolet Cape Town 1800 vs Blaze King Boxer 24
Replies
4
Views
2K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
Newbie78
N
BurnIt13
The Age Old Question... Catalytic vs Secondary Stove
Replies
17
Views
2K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
begreen
begreen
D
What Are My Options For Top-Loading, Large Ash Pan, Non-Catalytic Stoves?
Replies
13
Views
2K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
begreen
begreen
SonOfEru
What exactly is not to be burned in a Defiant Encore?
Replies
11
Views
592
Vermont Castings
Woodsplitter67
Woodsplitter67
Top Bottom
Back