Hearthstone Shelburne Cat Temps and Cat probe

[Burnin Since 1989]

I have the Hearthstone Shelburne 8372 model on order. Has anyone gotten a straight answer on what temp the cat becomes active? I know the thermometer that comes with the stove does not indicate the temps only the inactive/ active and too hot zones. The manual is a little wishy washy on the subject. Initially it says the normal operating temps are from 800-1300 degrees F. Later in the manual is this gem " -This catalytic (or hybrid) heater is equipped with a thermometer to monitor catalyst operation. Properly functioning combustors typically maintain temperatures in excess of 500 °F and often reach temperatures in excess of 1,000 °F.

Has anyone used a digital probe meter (ie Auber) or swapped out there original thermometer from Hearthstone with one that shows temps?

If so, what kinds of numbers are you seeing?

Does anyone know the length of the probe on the OEM thermometer?

Any and all help, appreciated!

 

[Burnin Since 1989]

And a follow up question, what are the actual inside dimensions of the firebox. I know it's 2.0 cubic feet in total. My best guess from outside dimensions is 18" wide x 16" deep x 12" high

 

[neverstop]

And a follow up question, what are the actual inside dimensions of the firebox. I know it's 2.0 cubic feet in total. My best guess from outside dimensions is 18" wide x 16" deep x 12" high

I think it's something like 10-11". I haven't used anything else to measure catalyst temperatures except the provided thermometer.

I believe last time I measured it I got something around 1.32 cubic feet. If you measure what you can actually expect to use 19" wide x 10" deep x 12" tall, you get ~ 1.32 cubic feet. I believe the box is 20"x14"x12" which gets you close to 2.0 cubic feet, but good luck fitting a 20" split in there, and you won't be able to stack it right up to the glass door.

 

[Burnin Since 1989]

I think it's something like 10-11". I haven't used anything else to measure catalyst temperatures except the provided thermometer.

I believe last time I measured it I got something around 1.32 cubic feet. If you measure what you can actually expect to use 19" wide x 10" deep x 12" tall, you get ~ 1.32 cubic feet. I believe the box is 20"x14"x12" which gets you close to 2.0 cubic feet, but good luck fitting a 20" split in there, and you won't be able to stack it right up to the glass door.

I've been loading my old stove East/West or Right to Left for 30 years. And I recently tried burning North South or putting the wood straight in and I like it a lot better at least for kicking off a cold stove. The current stove will fit about a 9 inch log straight in and I'm hoping the Shelburne would be a little deeper. I don't put anything into my stove over 18 inches. I've broken fire bricks trying to jam wood inside. This is back when I was young and foolish!

According to the "literature" it's supposed to have a 2 cf box. I don't know if that is with or without the bricks.

And that's fine of the thermometer. When I get mine installed I will figure out what I'm going to do.

How long have you had your Shelburne? First stove? What are your thoughts on the stove?

 

[neverstop]

yes, it says 2.0 cu ft but it's not 2.0 cu ft useable. I've cut some 10" splits to load N/S in the Shelburne and it works much better than E/W. It just takes more effort to buck it short, more splitting, more stacking. It burns more consistently like this (less variations in temp within a burn and between burns), and it also allows you to fit more in because you don't have to worry about playing jenga or a log rollling onto the glass as the load burns down. You can definitely fit 18"+ in there, you just need to put it in at an angle. The soap stone should be more resilient than firebrick.

My intention was to replace it with a thermocouple probe and hook it up to my custom monitoring setup but I couldn't find any probes that match the size and all in for everything it would have been an additional $175. Flue/STT are more than enough.

This is my 5th year with it. Prior to that I had a 1980's vermont castings vigilant 1977. It's been a learning experience. I would make a lot of different choices if I could do it again.

However, I'm happy with the stove in general. It heats the entire house and I can get reliable overnight burns with hardwoods.

 

[Todd]

Pretty much all cats will light off at a consistent 500 degree temp. I think manufacturers don’t want you to get hung up on numbers and would rather preach a range of operations since there’s so many variables in wood burning. Personally I like numbers so I can see some consistency and know when it’s time for cat maintenance or replacement.

 

[Burnin Since 1989]

yes, it says 2.0 cu ft but it's not 2.0 cu ft useable. I've cut some 10" splits to load N/S in the Shelburne and it works much better than E/W. It just takes more effort to buck it short, more splitting, more stacking. It burns more consistently like this (less variations in temp within a burn and between burns), and it also allows you to fit more in because you don't have to worry about playing jenga or a log rollling onto the glass as the load burns down. You can definitely fit 18"+ in there, you just need to put it in at an angle. The soap stone should be more resilient than firebrick.

My intention was to replace it with a thermocouple probe and hook it up to my custom monitoring setup but I couldn't find any probes that match the size and all in for everything it would have been an additional $175. Flue/STT are more than enough.

This is my 5th year with it. Prior to that I had a 1980's vermont castings vigilant 1977. It's been a learning experience. I would make a lot of different choices if I could do it again.

However, I'm happy with the stove in general. It heats the entire house and I can get reliable overnight burns with hardwoods.

Thanks for all of that! When I find a split that's 18 or longer, I cut it in half for N/S loading. It really bothers me when a split rolls over into the glass. I plan to go easy on the wood loading so as not to damage anything.

I'm not going to go crazy making little wood, but at least so I can do a N/S load every week

I'm looking into getting an Auber 2 channel digital thermo that I can monitor stove pipe and Cat temps. It's probably more than I need, but I'm kind of a techie and I think it will be cool.

Auber Dual Ch Meter