cozynest said:
Mo how do you like the winter warm large? Did you have any problems installing it and who's liner are you using?
Also did you use the hook method of connecting the stove to the liner described in the manual? If you had to do over again would you go the same route?
I know questions, question and more questions but I'm giong to put in an insert and I'm asking every one I know about their setup.
Thanks,
Steve
I'm burning the WWL hotter now, and am a bit happier with it. It's taken me a full burning season and nearly 4 (real) cords of wood to learn to burn. I've still got door sealing issues, but I'm hoping my first door gasket change using over-sized gasket will improve things.
I think the liner is Elmer's SS (~ 15' straight) with a flex piece from the bottom of that, through the damper, and onto an adapter that connects it to the flue collar.
What's the 'hook method'. I searched my online manual for 'hook' and drew a blank.
If I had it to do over again, I'd probably get a different stove, although this thing is growing on me. I was seduced by the physical appearance of the cast iron lattice surrounds. I knew not of catalysts when I bought it. Nor of the flashier fireworks of non-cat stoves. If you don't enjoy fiddling with mechanical stuff, I'd skip this stove. It's 'old school' design and suffering from aging assembly techniques (or something). Remember, this stove was designed back in the early nineties IIRC. That's pretty old in stove years.
Still, if it doesn't start breaking down on me, I'll be happy enough. I have my fingers crossed. My next stove will likely be a non-cat model (Edit 3/06: "Maybe not. The cat is really growing on me."), but I think it is nice that I experienced the cat stove before they go extinct. Like riding the last Tyrannasaurus. Same as when I bought a land barge way back in 19 ot 78. Interesting life experience. Even worth the pain, with all the trade-offs, but I wouldn't do it again (Edit 3/06: I just might buy another cat after all.
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When fired up for a couple hours, it can easily heat the embarrassingly large room it's in. I only throw in a couple splits at a time to keep the digital probe cat thermometer between 750*F and 1750*F while leaving the primary air wide open. I have to regulate the burn with the wood load until I get the door sealing better. I suspect I spend a bit more time tending, and at more frequent intervals, than someone who owns a different stove. I've got the time and don't burn 24/7 so it's ok for me. The cat is just too complex for me to trust Mrs. Mo Heat with the firing, but she is self described as mechanically challenged.