Cat Life Span

[Maddi in the Cariboo]

My Ashley20 is 7 years old. It's not putting out the same heat it used to so I am wondering about the cat. It glows, but only in the middle. The sides seem "cool." I burn from October to April with 24/7 burning from December to March. I've used mostly pine and fir since that's what we grow, but this year I landed some birch. When my cord is done I'll be back to fir in the remaining cords. So, it's either the cat, I'm thinking, or maybe the birch is not dry enough. I don't have a moisture measurer. Opinions anyone? See cat photo

 

[stoveliker]

It could very well be the cat.
I would order one. And order gasket for a few cat swaps
Then you can run with the new cat. If it runs well,.solved. if it runs the same you can put the old one back.

@Highbeam runs similar heating season and fuel.

 

[Wisco Shepherd]

7 years is plenty old. Swap it

 

[Dieselhead]

Wet wood could be the issue. Cooling off the cat as your baking the moisture out of the stove. Also the entire cat does not need to glow evenly.

When the stove is in the active zone is any smoke visible out of your chimney? How long has the birch been split and stacked out of the weather for?

Here’s some Cat info from the manufacturer;

FireCatâ„¢ Catalytic Combustors FAQ's

Applied Ceramic's purpose for this guide is that of giving you a better understanding on how the Firecatâ„¢ catalytic combustor works in your EPA certified catalytic stove and the role it plays in reducing harmful air pollution.

www.firecatcombustors.com

 

[stoveliker]

Regardless, get a new cat. The current one, if still okay, will fail at some point - and given it's age, odds are sooner rather than later. Better have a new one on the shelf ready to go.