I've had this steel cat for a year now and the last month or so it just hasn't cut the mustard like it use to. Temps are down and don't hold nearly as long as they used to. Light offs also take longer and hotter temps.
Since I have two of the same stoves but one with a steel cat and the other ceramic, I could switch them back and forth between stoves and compare. The ceramic cat is pumping out much more heat in either stove with higher temps and also seems to burn longer. The steel cat still seems to burn clean but the heat just isn't there. I can barely get the stove top up over 500 and it doesn't stay there very long. Turning the air down to a low cat burn usually with a good cat will turn the cat beet red but lately with the steel cat it barely glows at all and the temps drop.
The warranty on these steel cats is 3 years free replacement and 3 more pro rated so I should get a free replacement. I've wondered why this steel cat hasn't lasted and talked with Woodstock about it but it's new to them and they don't have much feed back yet and are still learning.
Sud Chemie, the manufacture of these new steel cats haven't replied to my calls or emails but I have talked with Applied Ceramics and they have told me these steel cats come out about every 10 years or so then go away because they don't last more than 3 years. Applied Ceramics also told me the steel cats may be resistant to thermo shock and not crumble over time but they don't burn as hot for as long.
If I could get another ceramic instead of steel I would but Woodstock doesn't carry ceramic cats any longer and I don't want to dish out $200 for a new one. Looks like I'll give the steel another try.
Since I have two of the same stoves but one with a steel cat and the other ceramic, I could switch them back and forth between stoves and compare. The ceramic cat is pumping out much more heat in either stove with higher temps and also seems to burn longer. The steel cat still seems to burn clean but the heat just isn't there. I can barely get the stove top up over 500 and it doesn't stay there very long. Turning the air down to a low cat burn usually with a good cat will turn the cat beet red but lately with the steel cat it barely glows at all and the temps drop.
The warranty on these steel cats is 3 years free replacement and 3 more pro rated so I should get a free replacement. I've wondered why this steel cat hasn't lasted and talked with Woodstock about it but it's new to them and they don't have much feed back yet and are still learning.
Sud Chemie, the manufacture of these new steel cats haven't replied to my calls or emails but I have talked with Applied Ceramics and they have told me these steel cats come out about every 10 years or so then go away because they don't last more than 3 years. Applied Ceramics also told me the steel cats may be resistant to thermo shock and not crumble over time but they don't burn as hot for as long.
If I could get another ceramic instead of steel I would but Woodstock doesn't carry ceramic cats any longer and I don't want to dish out $200 for a new one. Looks like I'll give the steel another try.