combustor replacement

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ronsetoe

New Member
Jan 6, 2010
11
saint louis
I have a 1986 VC Defiant Encore and after not getting decent burns or heat I took apart the stove and cleaned the chimney. I had drecent creasote build up and when I went to clean the cat it crumbled in my hands. It was only 2 years old and I usually burn 24/7 with 1 &1/2 year old split covered wood

To make matter worse I lost my job in Nov and money is very, very tight.

So I have a few questions.
1. Does anyone know of a cheaper place to buy a cat, for my stove, than this? $144 shipped is a tough pill to swallow at the moment.
http://catcombustor.mybisi.com/product/24165/25-X-13-Defiant-Encore-2550-and-2190-Canned_67594.html
2. In 23 years I have never run this stove without a cat. If I ran it without one and with regular chimney inspections could I get by for a season?
3. If I do run it without one should I place the empty steel band that surrounds the cat back in the refractory box or just run it wide open in the rear?
TIA and any advice is welcome
 
I think that's about the cheapest out there, the steel cat will resist thermal shock and won't crumble into pieces. However, you may have other problems with that stove since it's getting up in years. Many VC's need total rebuilds and new parts after 10 years or less. Sounds like that stove has seen it's day and it will probably nickle and dime you to death. Might be better off to bite the bullet on a new stove like a NC30 Englander? Running that stove without a cat would produce much less heat and gunk up the chimney.
 
Thanks for the reply and that is what I already knew. I have rebuilt this stove twice and everything except the cat is in decent shape. I really can't afford a new stove and I am having 2nd thoughts on spending the money on a new cat, as nothing is coming in. I will run without for a week or so and see how things go and hopefully get back on my feet and get a new stove in the spring/summer. I have checked CL and most around here were built pre EPA. TIA
 
ronsetoe said:
Thanks for the reply and that is what I already knew. I have rebuilt this stove twice and everything except the cat is in decent shape. I really can't afford a new stove and I am having 2nd thoughts on spending the money on a new cat, as nothing is coming in. I will run without for a week or so and see how things go and hopefully get back on my feet and get a new stove in the spring/summer. I have checked CL and most around here were built pre EPA. TIA
Click to expand...

If you have the receipt it may still be under warranty...

Ray
 
The site that I bought from is no longer up....part of the bad about purchasing online. The stove was keeping the front room warm and not much else. I will try it wide open WO the cat blocking the air flow during this cold snap we are having and see how it goes. I have plenty of wood and plenty of chimney sweep tools, so I will have to hope for the best.
BTW I turned off Laclede about 5 years back..I hate monopolies. I do have plenty of oil filled electric heaters if needed that can heat the place, I just wanted to keep the cost down
 
Good luck and I am sorry for your troubles. Hope things get much better for you soon. Wonder if someone on here might could donate a used but not falling apart combustor if they upgrade or something.
 
You can have my old original I had noticed it had a little bit of crumbling but still has about 90% I replaced it with the condar stainless cat because of the lower light off and shock issues. when I say old I'm talking two seasons of almost 24/7 CONDAR #cc257 It's sitting on a shelf collecting dust. So far I'm happy with the new stainless and probably will stick with them from now on.

If interested send me a PM with the ship to address
 
You are good people, Mandoo. I hope the Original Poster comes back to see your kind offer. Sometimes hearth.com really warms the heart!
 
You will be okay running the stove w/o the cat. It won't get as hot but you will get heat. However, don't run it wide open! If you leave the draft wide open the heat goes up the chimney. You still have to cut the draft down, just not as much. Try running on about 1/4 open and if that isn't enough try 1/2 but I question opening it further once that fire is going good.

Good luck and take that offer on the cat and we'll all wish you well.
 
Mandoo said:
You can have my old original I had noticed it had a little bit of crumbling but still has about 90% I replaced it with the condar stainless cat because of the lower light off and shock issues. when I say old I'm talking two seasons of almost 24/7 CONDAR #cc257 It's sitting on a shelf collecting dust. So far I'm happy with the new stainless and probably will stick with them from now on.

If interested send me a PM with the ship to address
Click to expand...

Very nice offer Mandoo! If that does not pan out this site: http://catcombustor.mybisi.com/prod...els-Before-1992-6-in-Round-Canned_291634.html has combustors pretty cheap..

Ray
 
Thanks Mandoo! Hopefully it will arrive today. I hate seeing all that grey smoke coming out of my chimney! The stove is not putting off near the heat it use too and I have had to burn a little different and I am using more fuel. I did put the steel cat sleeve back in the refractory box minus the creamic cat. I can hear creasote falling down the pipes even though I just swep it. I let the fire die last night and I will sweep today after installing the cat.
master of fire that is the site that I also found, it was $144 shipped.

My stove was running at about 30% less heat and uses about 20% more fuel without the cat. In the 23 years I have had it this is the first time running without a cat but through the years the Defiant Encore has served me pretty well. It is getting tired and old and hopefully this spring I will be able to replace it, but until then it will keep the family warm. Thanks again Mandoo!
 
Way to go Mandoo!
 
Mandoo you are awesome! I got it today and it was still intact and not broken! I installed it and within 20 minutes I engaged it and it is working perfect! The heat is much better as well as the burn time. I will PM you and the money order will be sent tomorrow. I can't say how much I appreciate the gesture and I only hope to repay you or some other stick burner in the near future..THANKS AGAIN! I was very new to the site and in need and it was nice to see another human help out another. THANKS AGAIN!! If there is a vote for stick burner of the year you would get my vote-you are a good guy!
 
And How! What a nice thing to do. Glad you can still operate your stove the way it works best, hope she hangs in there for you another couple seasons!
 
Glad it made it to you in one piece and worked. Like I had said it was sitting on a shelf and glad to see it get used instead of pitched in a few years when I got tired of moving it around.

I hope all works out for you and your employed again very soon. I'm self employed and have had many sleepless nights concerned about the future but seem to always have work when I need it, just not backed up like it used to be. The wealth of knowledge and resources from this board is incredible and I'm happy I could help.

Back to the original post, If you are again shopping for a replacement cat in the future I've been happy with the performance of the Stainless honeycomb design by Condar Hopefully it will last a lot longer than the ceramic style and come down in price as the competition follows. I guess time will tell?

Stay Warm!
 
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