I realize this is an older thread, but curious if any Jotul F500 V3 users have figured out a long term solution to the combuster getting plugged? I have not other than a tedious cleaning several times a season (on top of the frequent brushing of fly ash with a soft bristled brush). Every time I take off the lid, the fragile refractory degrades. When the cat is clean, this stove is glorious. However, the design is obviously flawed and I desperately wish I had gone with a different stove.
F500 V3 crumbled top (large) insulation panel
- Thread starter RCJetFlyer
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Have any pictures of the degraded refractory? I wish they would have installed a bypass for these stoves, that would elevate a lot of this ash plugging.
Only thing I can think of is try not to run it wide open for very long during startups and reloads. As soon as the flames take well reduce the air to half or more if you can. I think what’s happening is the excessive draft on higher air settings is sucking a lot of ash up into the cat? Also try and keep the firebox clean, don’t let the ash build up.
I’m still wondering how this stove runs without the cat? Would it be the same as the V2?
Only thing I can think of is try not to run it wide open for very long during startups and reloads. As soon as the flames take well reduce the air to half or more if you can. I think what’s happening is the excessive draft on higher air settings is sucking a lot of ash up into the cat? Also try and keep the firebox clean, don’t let the ash build up.
I’m still wondering how this stove runs without the cat? Would it be the same as the V2?
I don't currently have any pics of the refractory...it is just cracked on one side and I worry that the more I mess with it, the further it will crack. I am also very curious how it would run without the cat. I know it would void warranty any not burn as cleanly, but I can't just keep replacing the cat every couple of seasons.
Cat stoves and hybrids have greater maintenance requirements. This is the risk of making ever cleaner stoves to pass a test. They are often more complex and require more maintenance. And yet, research has shown that most people are poor at maintaining their stoves properly. The end result is that after a few years of usage many modern stoves are burning significantly dirtier than when new due to deferred or ignored maintenance.
That is a good point. I wonder how many new cat stoves are less efficient than their previous iterations in the hands of a typical owner. I would not be surprised if the weighted average was dirtier. I am interested to see how the ongoing U.S. government shakeup effects wood stove manufacturing.
Have you been giving your Cat a 50% vineger and 50% distilled water soak on occasion? Great way to dislodge the accululated ash/crap. Much more Cat friendly procedure than poking anything into the Cat.
It works nice on BK and Woodstock Catalysts. Can't imagine it wouldn't work on the V3. ?
