How low is too low in a cat stove?

[JA600L]

Ive heard folks describing creosote liquids running down and in some cases out of their stoves during a cat burn. Is this normal? I know that you will get black glass, firebrick, etc.. but liquid formation in a firebox?

Is it possible with properly seasoned wood for liquid creosote to run in a firebox during an active cat burn?

I have not had this happen to me personally.

 

[Ashful]

Ive heard folks describing creosote liquids running down and in some cases out of their stoves during a cat burn. Is this normal? I know that you will get black glass, firebrick, etc.. but liquid formation in a firebox?

Is it possible with properly seasoned wood for liquid creosote to run in a firebox during an active cat burn?

I have not had this happen to me personally.

I have never had it happen to me, either. Methinks this would require some mighty wet wood.

What is a more realistic concern is icing of the upper chimney and cap, due to ultra high efficiency, and thus low chimney temps. One BK dealer I visited this winter had enormous brown icicles hanging all over his chimney, from the cap, as the result of burning his stove on wet wood. Looked... gross.

 

[rdust]

As long as the cat stays active I don't think you can have it "too low". When I dial mine way down I get some nasty stuff inside the stove. I think I've had the consistency of a thick tar but have never noticed actual liquid that could run.

 

[mellow]

I have not seen liquid either, dark crusty creosote in the firebox yes, but it comes off in flakes. As previously mentioned as long as the cat is active (400-600 depending on the cat) you are good to go and should not see smoke, especially if this is in the coaling stage of the fire.