Fireplace Xtrodinair Behaviour

[Bushfire]

I have a large Fireplace Xtrodinair Flush Hybrid-Fyre insert and have a question for other who may have this stove or have experience with this stove. I'm burning less that 20% wood (generally 16-20%) and with the baffle open after a reload I have no problem getting a good fire going with a bed of nice coals. However, a soon as I close that damper the fire dies down considerably and takes a long time to rebuild, sometimes 30-40 minutes at night on a full load for overnight burns. Once that happens I get lovely secondaries and it burns well as I pull the air control out (lowering the air intake). Is this delay in the fire building up again normal for these cat stoves? Am I closing the damper too soon (not sure this is an issue as I can hear and see flames shooting up the flue)?

I know the manual says to clean the cat with that brush every week or so, but that's kind of tough when you're burning 24x7. Could that be the issue?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Up to high 50s and plenty of rain today, so I do plan on a good clean out this evening, including brushing that cat off.

 

[FoxTrotBoogie]

At what temp are you reloading? My guess is you're reloading a little too late. I've noticed with mine that if I reload much below 300df that I cant shut the bypass right away and have to let the cat warm up a bit again before closing on a reload.

Also if the cat is dirty it will take longer to light off. I usually brush mine off in the morning when it's cooler than usual with a small brass wire brush.

 

[webby3650]

Mine clogged with ash pretty quickly, mostly due to the fact that Lopi did nothing to protect the cat. When it cools off take a soft brush and wipe it down. Use a small shop vac attachment as well if you have one.

 

[Bushfire]

At what temp are you reloading? My guess is you're reloading a little too late. I've noticed with mine that if I reload much below 300df that I cant shut the bypass right away and have to let the cat warm up a bit again before closing on a reload.

Also if the cat is dirty it will take longer to light off. I usually brush mine off in the morning when it's cooler than usual with a small brass wire brush.

My reloading time varies, but I even find this when I'm reloading on super hot coals. I'm beginning to think I need to brush that cat a little more often. I'm hesitant to use the shop vac just in case I ignite anything inside the shopvac. I've done this when the stoves been shut down a couple of days, but would be hesitant even on a morning reload. Thanks.

 

[Bushfire]

Mine clogged with ash pretty quickly, mostly due to the fact that Lopi did nothing to protect the cat. When it cools off take a soft brush and wipe it down. Use a small shop vac attachment as well if you have one.

Yep, I'm beginning to think it's a cat issue with me not cleaning it frequently enough. Will get a chance tonight to give it a brush, so we'll see how it goes after that.

 

[FoxTrotBoogie]

How old is your insert? Once a year I like to take the cat out and soak it in a mixture of half water half vinegar for a more thorough cleaning then just brushing it. If you're going to do this you want to have a new gasket ready.

 

[Dmitry]

I don't have this problem. Once fire is established I'm closing the damper and fire is not changing much. After that I'm closing the air gradually. I think you need to make sure that you cat is not clogged. I remember another thread with similar problem reported and everything went back to normal after cat was cleaned.

 

[webby3650]

It's not recommended to take the cat out to clean it. It's fragile, removing it will greatly reduce its lifespan. A simple brushing and/or vacuuming is all that's needed.

 

[FoxTrotBoogie]

fireplace xtrordinaire and condar both recommend removing the cat for removing deposits that cannot be removed with a simple brushing by soaking the cat in a mixture of 50/50 boiling distilled water and vinegar (broken link removed to http://www.woodstovecombustors.com/Cleaning_your_combustor.html)

 

[webby3650]

Ya, well they sell $300 combustors . It's not necessary under normal burning conditions. These cats will fail on their own in a shorter amount of time than others due to having 0 protection from the flames that pour through the cat on a regular basis. Pulling it out to clean will only expedite the failure.

 

[FoxTrotBoogie]

That's like saying a dpf filter on a diesel truck doesn't need cleaned under normal conditions. Yet some trucks idle more than others, producing more soot. So do you just clean it while it's not in use, or do you wait until it screws up while you need it.

 

[webby3650]

That's like saying a dpf filter on a diesel truck doesn't need cleaned under normal conditions. Yet some trucks idle more than others, producing more soot. So do you just clean it while it's not in use, or do you wait until it screws up while you need it.

I work on these things every single day. All types of cat and non-cat stoves. When someone asks for advice, I try to give them the most practical real world advice. Not something I read in a brochure.

 

[webby3650]

And don't ever use a wire brush, a soft bristle brush is all that's needed.

 

[Bushfire]

And don't ever use a wire brush, a soft bristle brush is all that's needed.

Yep, I've only been using the bristle brush that came with the unit. I find it hard to really see what I'm doing though as the cat is tucked back and high. I did get to brush this evening, and I'd say I've seen a slight improvement. I'm guessing the shopvac will help, but that'll only happen if I let the fire die for some time, which may be this weekend as temps are supposed to get into the mid-hgh 50s.

 

[FoxTrotBoogie]

I only stated a brass wire brush because they are soft like a nylon brush, but will not melt in case your cat is still a little warm. And yes I tend to trust a company that has been around for 46 years that produces cats for cat stoves. Its a nice brochure you should try reading it.