Cleaning a catalytic combustor with vinegar bath

[NHWS]

I don't know enough to agree or disagree, but the MidWest Hearth site seems to say the opposite on some points:

Metal substrate catalytic combustors provide a lower resistance to air flow and require less heat to warm up to operating temperature. The corrugated metal allows chimney smoke to flow through almost 90% of the total front area while still providing more surface area than a ceramic combustor.

Another advantage of a metal substrate is the ability to manufacture the combustor cells with significantly thinner walls allowing more surface area per inch and thus converting more of the smoke into less harmful emissions. ...

• Metal reaches operating temperature faster
• Metal has more surface area for less emissions and more heat
• Metal does not crumble
• Overall service life is the same

The Condar catalytic combustor site says similar things.

It's plausible that either/both sites are just pushing the higher cost product.

 

[Graphite]

Thanks - helpful post - giving it a go with my Elmira Fireview 1100 👍

 

[RustyShackleford]

So if I executed the search properly, I see that @BKVP has not weighed in on this issue of whether the vinegar bath is worthwhile or not.

 

[stoveliker]

I have not done this, and I don't know how porous the ceramic substrate is, and have not read other manuals that do recommend it.
If you have a ceramic cat, I would make sure to dry the cat properly before firing up after making it wet.
You don't want moisture in any pores cracking the ceramics.

 

[kennyp2339]

I did mine a few years back, honestly wasn’t worth it to me, after buying the vinegar, setting up the burner and stock pot, cleaning it and then cleaning all the other stuff, resetting the gasket and the down time of the stove, it was way easier to just part with the $200 and get a new cat replacement

 

[BKVP]

So if I executed the search properly, I see that @BKVP has not weighed in on this issue of whether the vinegar bath is worthwhile or not.

Yes, done correctly, the overplating is removed exposing the precious metals. Generally, while not new performance, it has shown to add 2+ seasons to cat life.

BKVP

 

[Todd]

Yes, done correctly, the overplating is removed exposing the precious metals. Generally, while not new performance, it has shown to add 2+ seasons to cat life.

BKVP

So what is the correct method? I’ve seen 50/50 solution spray, soak or boil?

 

[BKVP]

So what is the correct method? I’ve seen 50/50 solution spray, soak or boil?

Distilled water/Vinegar 50/50, back porch!, bring to boil. Dunk combustor into boiling solution. Raise out of solution after 10 minutes. Let cool. Then rinse with clean Distilled water, twice. Then air dry 24 hours. Wrap with new combustor gasket.

BKVP

 

[BKVP]

Friend sent me this today. No shirt, no service! And shorts, out you go.

BKVP

 

[begreen]

No shirt, no service!

Apparently, no brains qualifies.

 

[RustyShackleford]

Yes, done correctly, the overplating is removed exposing the precious metals. Generally, while not new performance, it has shown to add 2+ seasons to cat life.

Two seasons seems pretty worthwhile to me. Vinegar and distilled water are extremely cheap. I have an old catalytic converter I took out of service awhile back, so no downtime.

Looks like the equipment can be had for $30 or so:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09G99VMB7/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VZ5A5I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

 

[BKVP]

How To Care For Your Catalytic Combustor

www.woodmanspartsplus.com

 

[begreen]

I suspect that when most people resort to the vinegar bath cleaning, the cat is already at close to end of life. In that case, extended life might be more like 2 months instead of 2 yrs.

 

[BKVP]

I suspect that when most people resort to the vinegar bath cleaning, the cat is already at close to end of life. In that case, extended life might be more like 2 months instead of 2 yrs.

Applied and Sud Chemie both studied the regenerative results and stated 2 seasons, then replace.

My personal experience is the same. But after the procedure, and ample drying time, I bag it for a backup.

BKVP

 

[stoveliker]

Distilled water/Vinegar 50/50, back porch!, bring to boil. Dunk combustor into boiling solution. Raise out of solution after 10 minutes. Let cool. Then rinse with clean Distilled water, twice. Then air dry 24 hours. Wrap with new combustor gasket.

BKVP

And this is the same for steel cats? The woodmans page shows only a ceramic cat pic.

No corrosion of the steel in the acid mix?

Also, you say boiling 50/50. The webpage only mentions boiling water to rinse it clean after the (implied imo) room temp acid mix.

 

[BKVP]

And this is the same for steel cats? The woodmans page shows only a ceramic cat pic.

No corrosion of the steel in the acid mix?

Also, you say boiling 50/50. The webpage only mentions boiling water to rinse it clean after the (implied imo) room temp acid mix.

I'm old, new knee, and I was pretty close! Do it the same for both substrate materials.

BKVP

 

[stoveliker]

I'm old, new knee, and I was pretty close! Do it the same for both substrate materials.

BKVP

You have my respect ;-)

Thanks