Steel Catalytic Combustor vs Ceramic?

[ginobass]

I'm on the hunt for a new cat for my stove, I'm aware of the ceramic ones, but has anyone heard of or had any experience with a steel one? Saw this on the 'bay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Catalytic-Combustor-for-wood-stove-Steel-CS-001_W0QQitemZ200267244421QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item200267244421&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:570|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

whatchya tink??

 

[raybonz]

I'm on the hunt for a new cat for my stove, I'm aware of the ceramic ones, but has anyone heard of or had any experience with a steel one? Saw this on the 'bay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Catalytic-Combustor-for-wood-stove-Steel-CS-001_W0QQitemZ200267244421QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item200267244421&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:570|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

whatchya tink??

Never heard of a steel cat.. Cats can get very hot and I have seen mine run at 1450 degrees a few times..Could steel withstand this? My cats last at least 6 yrs and cost only $100.00.. I'll stick with proven technology.. For the record my stove is bout 20 yrs old and so far only 2 cats have been bought beside the original that came with the stove..

Ray

Link for combustors: https://www.appliedceramics.com/default.aspx?id=64

 

[Todd]

The steel ones haven't been around very long but have heard some complaints about them clogging up more and are hard to brush or vacuume out. I always thought there would be an advantage with no thermo shock for steel cats. Advance catalyst use to make some for wood stoves, now they say they no longer produce them.

 

[isuphipsi1052]

I purchased a steel cat from Condar and am EXTREMELY pleased with its performance. I seem to have a higher heat output and I'm going through less firewood. There is also a noticeable drop in the amount of smoke coming from the stack when the cat is engaged. I highly recommend. Not sure if the Forum rules permit (if not, I apologize), but here is the link where I purchased mine...

http://www.woodstovecombustors.com/Steel_Honeycomb.html

 

[raybonz]

I purchased a steel cat from Condar and am EXTREMELY pleased with its performance. I seem to have a higher heat output and I'm going through less firewood. There is also a noticeable drop in the amount of smoke coming from the stack when the cat is engaged. I highly recommend. Not sure if the Forum rules permit (if not, I apologize), but here is the link where I purchased mine...

http://www.woodstovecombustors.com/Steel_Honeycomb.html

You have piqued my interest.. Have you checked out this site: http://catcombustor.mybisi.com/category/Consolidated-Dutchwest_67427_Page1.html .. They are really inexpensive there.. I can get one for my stove there for $59.00...Wondering what the real difference is other than price..

Ray

 

[isuphipsi1052]

Not sure what the difference is. Maybe an e-mail to the company asking them what separates there cat apart from Condar's.

 

[Todd]

The steel cats from Condar are a honey combed cat that was made by www.advancedcatalyst.com
But they don't make them anymore, so I don't know how long Condar will have them? I really thought these would take off and repalce the old ceramic cats. I wonder why they discontinued them?

The other steel cats are made by clear skies and those are the ones I heard from a few on here about clogging and cleaning woes. I think they are thinner or more compact and you can't get a pipe cleaner through them like a regular honey comb type?