Recall in the not-so-fine-print in the cat warranty that it is "prorated" for 6 years with a 2 or 3 year 'free' replacement. Like tires.
And, the noble metal coatings , platinum or paladium, that do the "reburning" of the incomplete wood gases do have a life expectancy, ~ 12,000 hours.
The design and engineering of wood catalytic combustors is similar to those in vehicles, but with a longer life ( you Engineers and Physicists can explain the why better ).
Our cat from Sud Chemie is metal. It is cleaned and bathed in vinegar each year--with windows open in June. Past ceramic cats have mechanically deteriorated within 3 years or +/- 12,000 hours of use.
The first Sud Chemie steel cat was defective. Their service was exceptional, sending a new replacement even before receiving their original steel cat. Thanks.
Our experience with two wood stoves burning 24/7 here in Downeast northern Maine with no central heating, is that the cat stove, a 2001 VC Encore, burns around 1/3 to 1/2 LESS wood than the Jotul Oslo non cat.
Both stoves heat approximately the same space, use the same splits, and are tended by the same owners.
The Bungalow Effect of John G. in in effect here for non-cat stoves. The Encore primary air can be lowered to near nil for much longer with clean burns and same BTUs as the Oslo.
BTW this has been a chilled Spring so far: 26 F @ 0615 this morning. For youse thinking about committing full bore to wood heat, it is the Logbutchers' whine in early Spring: "I'm sick of wood!"
Close to 7.5 cords used. Next winter's butts have been cut and piled ready for the split and stack routine later this Spring. I'm tired.