Broken refractory shelf (VC 0028)

[homebrewz]

While cleaning the cat and vacuuming out the cat area, I punched through a refractory "shelf" that sits
just below the cat. It probably deflects heat away from the back of the refractory when the cat is engaged. Its now in two pieces
(picture below). Can I run the stove without it? I'm guessing no way.. otherwise it wouldn't be there
in the first place. Any ideas on how to put this thing back together? It sits on two little indentations for each
edge of the "shelf" to sit.. no support along the center so I need to "glue" it back together somehow.

 

[Corie]

Refractory cement?

 

[TMonter]

Is it refractory or high temperature ceramic board? if it's the latter you might be able to get a new one made for relatively cheap.

 

[homebrewz]

Its the refractory material of the refractory package for a VC Defiant Encore. I don't know if its ceramic in nature.
The assembly itself is held together with screws. Perhaps I could take metal nails and sort of mate the two
pieces back together?

 

[homebrewz]

Also, does this Cat need to be replaced? I'm surprised it looks this way, as its seen about 4 maybe 5 cords of wood maximum.
Its exactly a year old. Some of the slots are broken and have fallen out.. maybe about 10 or so. I just blew it out and cleaned out
the soot. I was going to try cleaning it with vinegar at the end of the season.

 

[Todd]

Looks like you may have some thermal shock damage there. It starts out as small cracks, then starts to crumble away. It could last a couple more years or fall apart tomorrow. Hard to tell. Take a look at this site, it has some great tips on cats.
(broken link removed to http://www.woodstove.com/pages/combustortips.html)