Can I squeeze another year out of this combustor?

[Dmitry]

It's 3 years used 24/7 for winter in the northeast, a catalyst for large fpx hybrid.
I gave it bath two years ago.
Cam I get another year after giving the bath again. Thevdamn thing is $450 metal aftermarket.
Pictures show back and front .

 

[Todd]

Hard to say for sure. Give it a try and have a new one on hand just incase. Also be careful buying aftermarket cats they are not all created equal.

 

[begreen]

Does it still glow when activated? Is there smoke coming from the chimney cap when burning? If none, then it is still burning up the wood gases. It might be worth trying a ceramic replacement from Midwest Hearth for the next cat to see if it provides longer service.

 

[Dmitry]

Does it still glow when activated? Is there smoke coming from the chimney cap when burning? If none, then it is still burning up the wood gases. It might be worth trying a ceramic replacement from Midwest Hearth for the next cat to see if it provides longer service.

It still glows but wanted to clean it anyway. This is metal from Midwest. The ceramic from them lasted for less, started to crumble after 2 years.

 

[Highbeam]

It still glows but wanted to clean it anyway. This is metal from Midwest. The ceramic from them lasted for less, started to crumble after 2 years.

Crumbling is not the cat's fault, the same issue might also explain why your metal one is so physically damaged. Could it be the design or condition of your stove is letting the cat overheat or get hit with cold air?

Unless you can resolve what is damaging your catalysts you might be doomed to replace very often.

 

[Dmitry]

Crumbling is not the cat's fault, the same issue might also explain why your metal one is so physically damaged. Could it be the design or condition of your stove is letting the cat overheat or get hit with cold air?

Unless you can resolve what is damaging your catalysts you might be doomed to replace very often.

I think it's a design flaw; many other users of this insert report the same issue. The flame literally hits the combustor while burning the wood. I even made a perforated metal shield in front of it. It made things better; at least it degrades evenly, not in the middle like it used to be before. I burn 24:7, it makes. For 3-4 months. It makes roughly 10000 hours for 4 years. I guess that's ok lifespan. It's a hybrid unit. Might try to run some time this year without the cat just to see the difference. It's too warm to do it now.

 

[Dieselhead]

Have you checked your draft with a manometer?