Catalyst Education

[David Tackett]

I just bought a catalyst stove a few weeks ago. It is my first stove of this style. The stove was used and is 6 years old. I have noticed a lot of postings stating the Cats last 6-8 years. I think this one will last longer, because I can tell my the condition of the stove it was used sparingly over the last 6 years. My question is, when the Cat starts to go bad and goes bad, what are the symptoms? How will I know when it is going bad or gone bad?

 

[raybonz]

I just bought a catalyst stove a few weeks ago. It is my first stove of this style. The stove was used and is 6 years old. I have noticed a lot of postings stating the Cats last 6-8 years. I think this one will last longer, because I can tell my the condition of the stove it was used sparingly over the last 6 years. My question is, when the Cat starts to go bad and goes bad, what are the symptoms? How will I know when it is going bad or gone bad?

It will take longer for the cat to become active or may not go active at all or run on the cooler side if this makes any sense.. A cat temp probe is very helpful so you know what's going on. My old CDW came with the probe but many add them if they don't have one..

Ray

 

[ddddddden]

Less heat.
Smoke from the chimney.

 

[David Tackett]

I have a temp probe, it is a Condar. How do I know if the Cat is active or not? I keep reading on here people saying the "cat is active or not active". It is a piece of ceramic, I don't understands the terminology "active" in this case.

 

[raybonz]

I have a temp probe, it is a Condar. How do I know if the Cat is active or not? I keep reading on here people saying the "cat is active or not active". It is a piece of ceramic, I don't understands the terminology "active" in this case.

I believe 500+ degrees is active and normal running temps would range between 800-1200 degrees..

Ray

 

[raybonz]

I have a temp probe, it is a Condar. How do I know if the Cat is active or not? I keep reading on here people saying the "cat is active or not active". It is a piece of ceramic, I don't understands the terminology "active" in this case.[/quote

I have a temp probe, it is a Condar. How do I know if the Cat is active or not? I keep reading on here people saying the "cat is active or not active". It is a piece of ceramic, I don't understands the terminology "active" in this case.

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

Ray

 

[David Tackett]

Thanks for the link. Great info.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I have a temp probe, it is a Condar. How do I know if the Cat is active or not? I keep reading on here people saying the "cat is active or not active". It is a piece of ceramic, I don't understands the terminology "active" in this case.

On our stove and I suspect all other cat stoves, once we engage the cat the stove top temperature will rise fast whereas before engaging it rises very slow.

It sounds as if you have not removed the catalyst yet and if so, you should remove it and clean it if necessary. Normal find on the cat is just the light dust of fly ash and we just brush ours with an old paint brush and put it back in. You can use the small cans of air like you would use on your keyboard but don't use regular compressed air lest it remove the good stuff off the honeycomb. If the cat is really bad then perhaps you need to clean it further but that is rare.

Woodstock recommends cleaning the cat after perhaps a cord of wood but this depends a lot on your wood. If it is really good and dry then it will not need cleaning that often but if it is not really good wood, best to clean it after a cord of wood or perhaps 3 times per heating season.

 

[Bub381]

I clean mine every 2 to 3 weeks so i guess i'm in the clear.

 

[David Tackett]

I took it out and cleaned when I first bought it from the guy. I overhauled the entire stove. He used it as an insert, I even sanded and repainted all the metal.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

David, when the cat goes bad it will start to crumble. You'll see it when you remove the cat for cleaning. A little cracking and crumbling won't harm but once it starts it seems to go fast. So if you notice any, best to get another one ordered. Or if you start to see lots of smoke and not so hot of a stove, then that too can be a sign.

 

[charly]

I clean mine every 2 to 3 weeks so i guess i'm in the clear.

Your going to spoil that cat with all that brushing