Failing/Separating Cat?

[tabner]

Is this the situation where the cat material separates from body of the catalyst frame? I bought the stove technically second hand (although never fired) so I don’t think I have any warranty claims here? It’s only got 2.5 winters on it, but I have noticed a lack in performance. Would you change it out?

 

[Duds13]

Is this the situation where the cat material separates from body of the catalyst frame? I bought the stove technically second hand (although never fired) so I don’t think I have any warranty claims here? It’s only got 2.5 winters on it, but I have noticed a lack in performance. Would you change it out?

Sure looks like it. I would definitely swap it out. Myself and others on this site have had the same issue, and while BK replaces the first one under warranty I personally think these are defective and shouldn't count against us.

 

[tabner]

I was pretty anxious about swapping it, because we have an intense cold snap hitting for the next ten days or so. If something went wrong with the install, I could be in trouble. But I’m glad I did, pics attached are from the back of the old cat. Looks absolutely terrible, I think. Very plugged. The removal/install was crazy easy. I felt like I forgot a step cause it was done so quick (typical flawless BK engineering). The new cat is in, my first experience with ceramic, and im heating it up now.
(Also two pics of the installed new cat)
Couple questions:
- I thought about trying to clean up the old cat and keep it on hand for an emergency backup. But it looks so crappy, I’m thinking just toss it? Is there any $ value when you scrap these things due to the rare metal content, or just general metal scrap?
-anything I should be aware of with the new ceramic cat? I burn a lot of oak so I am forced to do reloads frequently where there is a strong coal bed of hot oak, and the cat probe is still third or half way through the active zone, is that ill-advised with the ceramic?

 

[stoveliker]

Looks more ash-plugged than "done" or crappy.
If you can vacuum this stuff out maybe you can get more life out of it.

Maybe you need a flue damper; high draft sucks ashes up.
Use the ceramic cat for its larger channels, so less clogging.

Do open teh bypass for 5 mins or so before opening the door if you have a hot cat. That'll direct the gases dirctly in the flue, cooling down the cat before it sees room air.

 

[tabner]

Yeah, I find that mildly annoying. I burn a lot of oak and I have to rush through that coaling phase. I frequently open bypass, open door, rake coals forward, and close everything back up. Usually once or twice toward the end of every load. The extra five mins waiting and watching, is fairly inconvenient.

 

[stoveliker]

well, cat life time can be affected by cold (room) air hitting it when it's hot.

But here I don't see that this is the main problem.
I think too aggressive raking or too high draft is the issue here, sucking ashes into the cat.

 

[Highbeam]

Yeah, I find that mildly annoying. I burn a lot of oak and I have to rush through that coaling phase. I frequently open bypass, open door, rake coals forward, and close everything back up. Usually once or twice toward the end of every load. The extra five mins waiting and watching, is fairly inconvenient.

I definitely don’t wait 5 minutes but I also don’t feel the need to stir coals unless I’m loading more fuel on.

Good move upgrading to ceramic. They are not that fragile, be sure the door passes the dollar bill test.

 

[tabner]

I think if I had the 30 box it would help this situation somewhat. But with the 20 box in cold weather I have to run it a little harder. Gotta power through those coals otherwise I can’t fit a full load of fresh wood in.