Hearthstone Shelburne catalyst issue

[HRMaine]

Hi All,
I have a Hearthstone Shelburne II (8372). This is its 4th season. I am experiencing reduced effectiveness of burning when the combustor is engaged.
This entire season I have had a ton more ash build up in the stove box, it is as if it is not going up through the combustor and getting incinerated, but instead is falling back down into the box and never burning. I have had to scoop way more ash out of the stove all season than ever before.
I burn only seasoned hardwood, I clean the combustor a few times during each season.
I was looking at the catalysts trying to decide did the need to be replaced? When I looked for the parts I noticed there was also a fiberglass gasket being shown as a part. I have pulled these catalysts out probably a dozen times, they've never had a gasket wrapped around them. I have noticed a gasket a little deeper in sort of tucked into an indent in the cast iron seat where the catalysts sit. Once or twice I thought I heard a little something suck up in the vacuum when I cleaned in that area. Is it possible I sucked up a whole fiberglass gasket that should be in there?? Because there is no gasket in there.
My manual explains how to clean and replace the catalysts but has NO MENTION of a fiberglass gasket. I found the parts at Rocky Mountain Stove and they show it as kit of two catalysts and the fiberglass, and they show how that it is wrapped around them. I looked for my parts manual on line and on the exploded view it does call out the fiberglass gasket. I cannot find any photos or specific directions for where the gasket is really supposed to go.
I attached two screenshots: the first is from my manual, it is showing how to seat the catalysts but it does not point out the gasket
the second is the parts manual, part #48 is labeled 3/4" fiberglass gasket
Does anyone have insights here?
1) If I am supposed to have a fiberglass gasket wrap is that possibly why the performance is suffering?
2) Is it unsafe to burn without the gasket?
3) Is the gasket actually supposed to wrap around the catalysts or does it sit down inside somewhere? (Do you have pictures??)
Thank you!!

 

[begreen]

Some wood species create a lot more ash than others. I notice this right away when burning soft maple, for example.

The Interam gasket is a special ceramic wood composite material. It's necesary. When hot it swells to seal around the outside for the cat. Here are more detailed instructions for the cat:

Hearthstone 3050-010 Replacement Catalyst

Rocky Mountain Stove your Fireplace Store, has a great selection of Fireplaces, Gas fireplace inserts, Wood Stoves, Gas Grills, Smokers and BBQ's, Pellet Grills, from Hearthstone, Regency Fireplaces, Morso, Rais, Enviro and Jotul stoves, We also carry a wide selection of Chimney, Hearth Pads and...

www.rockymountainstove.com

 

[HRMaine]

Thank you for the quick reply.
I've been burning the same type of wood for all 4 years. 90% red oak, a little ash a little hard maple. Only very early or very late in the season maybe some red birch. I clean the combustors during the season and there is not much build up, so I do not believe it is the wood itself.
You linked to a different stove, and that does not address the GASKET which is my concern. I have good instructions for the cat, they just do not mention the gasket.
Thank you for explaining the material - if it is not fiberglass and it is something else, I'd like to know more about it.
I'll watch for a reply from someone who has the same stove.

 

[begreen]

Sorry about that. I entered the correct part number and that's what came up. Tried again entering the Shelburne model and it came up with this cat that does include the 3/4" seating gasket kit. This is different from the standard Interam gasket that is used on other stoves. It is ceramic wool. Fiberglass has the potential to melt at firebox temperature.

Hearthstone 96-75400 Replacement Catalyst Kit

Rocky Mountain Stove your Fireplace Store, has a great selection of Fireplaces, Gas fireplace inserts, Wood Stoves, Gas Grills, Smokers and BBQ's, Pellet Grills, from Hearthstone, Regency Fireplaces, Morso, Rais, Enviro and Jotul stoves, We also carry a wide selection of Chimney, Hearth Pads and...

rockymountainstove.com