You need DRY wood to run low. If you let it burn hot long enough to evaporate the moisture out, you can get by. I wouldn't close that bypass too soon. Moisture and thermal shock will kill the cat.
Personally, I wouldn't burn much at this point. I know it's hard to resist, but I wouldn't want to ruin the $300 cat playing around.
So hopefully come this Fall my wood will be in a better state and I assume with dry wood I won't have to disengage the CAT each time I reload..... or is that always the practice I should follow (disengage and wait until wood is fully charred before engaging the CAT well into active zone) wet or dry wood?
Thanks!
I was happy with the overnight, but I fully realize it should be easy for most stoves to go overnight in this type of weather (60s during the day).