I just got my first Intrepid @ hooked up, im burning very dry red oak, i wait until its about 500 degrees and then throw the lever to engage the catalyst and i get more smoke out of the chimney- normal? or do i need a new cat? i looked at the one i had in there and it appeared ok but i am unsure how to really test it. this video below is with the stove running 550+ degrees on a good bed of coals, and red oak, cat engaged.
is this too much smoke from the Chimney??
- Thread starter Tlgrant
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![[Hearth.com] is this too much smoke from the Chimney??](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/336/336393-f40cfa1a001dc79ec885db1c6e509184.jpg?hash=cDbijAMb1N "[Hearth.com] is this too much smoke from the Chimney??")
The smoke indicates incomplete combustion. It looks like a new cat is needed. What temperature is the cat at?
great question please excuse my ignorance. I dont know, and i dont know how to install a thermometer on the cat? i have read posts mentioning cat temp but figured that was for a newer stove. this is a 1990 model built in 2014.
That's helpful info. Has the cat been removed, blown out, and gently cleaned? That is the first step. The refractory package should be examined. If it is crumbling and breaking down it will need replacement. Also, this stove has a thermostatic probe which regulates the cat's air supply. If that has deteriorated, then it may be misfunctioning.
before i installed it i took the back plate off and the refractory looked to be in almost new condition, no chips or cracks. the catalyst had some minor cracks inside the grates, and i gently tried to vacuum it out but i didnt brush it. i just put it back together. how would i go about investigating the probe?
A good place to start is with the manual which covers cleaning and inspection.
www.manualslib.com
Vermont castings The Intrepid II 1990 Manuals
Vermont castings The Intrepid II 1990 Pdf User Manuals. View online or download Vermont castings The Intrepid II 1990 Installation & Operating Manual, Homeowner's Installation And Operating Manual, Installation And Operating Manual
www.manualslib.com
Does the smoke break up and dissipate pretty close to the chimney? Or does it hang together and drift away like a cloud?
Woodsplitter67
Minister of Fire
So just a heads up. You will get smoke.from the chimney with the cat engaged to some degree. If that picture was taken a couple minutes after the damper is closed you should expect that as the catalyst is not really up to temperature and running. If the picture was taken 30 minutes after the bypass is closed your catalyst isn't really running
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