cleaning plugged catalyst on Heritage 8024

[whatyousmokin]

Pretty sure the catalyst on our 8024 is plugged: flames almost immediately die out on a robustly burning fire when the bypass is closed (Cat probe indicates active range). Then will get a good whiff of smoke and boom, gases ignite. Those dancing flames die and then get another good whiff of smoke then gases ignite, then die out, over and over........
I am not the most mechanical person and am very apprehensive about removing the baffle to get at the catalyst to clean it. (It may take a while to get on the chimney sweeps schedule so considering doing this cat cleaning myself). The instruction manual makes it seem pretty straightforward but am asking for peoples experience with this. Any tips you care to share? Does the baffle need to be wiggled with any sort of force to remove it? A note here, our baffle is already broken. The chimney sweeps who inspected the stove 6 weeks ago were not overly concerned about burning the stove in its present condition; just said I can wait to replace baffle on next chimney cleaning, and so baffle has already been ordered by stove shop. (Anybody have an opinion about burning with the broken baffle?) Should I just wait to have the chimney cleaned, replace the baffle and have the sweeps show me how to remove baffle to clean cat? The manual says the cat should be inspected and cleaned as necessary during burning season so would really like to learn to do this myself.

 

[wetwood4life]

I have the Castleton, which I think has similar baffle layout to your stove. I was also intimidated at first, but it's really no big deal to take them out.

1. Pull the cotter pin out of the baffle tube (I need pliers to get it).
2. Gently wiggle the baffle around until you see/feel how to take it out without forcing anything. You should never need to muscle it, the baffle is like stiff styrofoam, so be gentle with it.

At least for my stove, taking out the front baffle gives me a clear view up to the catalysts. I had a hell of a time reinstalling the catalysts, but they're probably different your stove anyway.

When you're done, just put the baffle back where you found it, gently again. The hardest part is putting that bent cotter pin back in. If you're patient and use common sense you'll get it.

The cotter pin seems to be overkill anyway, it's not like the baffle is going to get sucked up the chimney

 

[whatyousmokin]

I have the Castleton, which I think has similar baffle layout to your stove. I was also intimidated at first, but it's really no big deal to take them out.

1. Pull the cotter pin out of the baffle tube (I need pliers to get it).
2. Gently wiggle the baffle around until you see/feel how to take it out without forcing anything. You should never need to muscle it, the baffle is like stiff styrofoam, so be gentle with it.

At least for my stove, taking out the front baffle gives me a clear view up to the catalysts. I had a hell of a time reinstalling the catalysts, but they're probably different your stove anyway.

When you're done, just put the baffle back where you found it, gently again. The hardest part is putting that bent cotter pin back in. If you're patient and use common sense you'll get it.

The cotter pin seems to be overkill anyway, it's not like the baffle is going to get sucked up the chimney

Thanks. Going to attempt this first thing in the morning, hopefully I won't f.. it up and put it completely out of commission.

 

[whatyousmokin]

Just a quick (probably stupid) question for anyone. Is there anything special about the cotter pins? Can I just replace the old bent one with a new one off the shelf from the local hardware store or do I need to get one specifically for use in my woodstove?

 

[whatyousmokin]

Turns out bffle was completely cracked. Cats were definetly ash covered. Attaching photos of baffle before removal, broken baffle, right cat after vacuming, left cat after vacuming. Three questions:

can I reinstall this baffle or should I replace?.

Do the cats look "clean" enough?

Does it appear I am missing gasket around the right cat in the lower right and does that need fixed? ok, that was 4 questions

 

[whatyousmokin]

what the hell... checked with stove company to see if I could pick up baffle that they ' supposedly' ordered 6 weeks ago. They never ordered it.🥺 It is 15 degrees here with a "zero" wind chill. I reinstalled broken baffle, fired up stove hoping I cleaned cats well enough to get back to some semblance of normal operation for this stove. Seems to be operating "fine" ... for now.. lol.

 

[begreen]

Just a quick (probably stupid) question for anyone. Is there anything special about the cotter pins? Can I just replace the old bent one with a new one off the shelf from the local hardware store or do I need to get one specifically for use in my woodstove?

Yes, use a stainless replacement cotter pin if the hardware store has them.