New stove: Woodstock vs. Hearthstone?

[Todd]

Are they still using all steel cats? Seems like the big cat making companies would be more dependable/efficient than in house cat production from such a small stove company. That maybe stove companies should make stoves.

Catalytic Update: Oxidation improves catalyst longevity and performance

Above is a photo of Fireview Catalysts being oxidized at Woodstock Soapstone Company (April 2022) prior to being coated. The oxidation process creates an aluminum oxide (Al2O3) layer on the surface of the FeCrAl Ferritic Stainless Steel used to build Woodstock Soapstone Catalysts.

www.woodstove.com

 

[Highbeam]

Catalytic Update: Oxidation improves catalyst longevity and performance

Above is a photo of Fireview Catalysts being oxidized at Woodstock Soapstone Company (April 2022) prior to being coated. The oxidation process creates an aluminum oxide (Al2O3) layer on the surface of the FeCrAl Ferritic Stainless Steel used to build Woodstock Soapstone Catalysts.

www.woodstove.com

Yes, I know how steel cats are made. Was hoping they would also be making or selling ceramic cats too like they used to. After having used both I prefer ceramic. We've all read about the cat clogging issues with steelcats in more than one brand of stove.

The good news is that today's price is 185$ for the IS catalyst. Not bad at all.

 

[Todd]

Yes, I know how steel cats are made. Was hoping they would also be making or selling ceramic cats too like they used to. After having used both I prefer ceramic. We've all read about the cat clogging issues with steelcats in more than one brand of stove.

The good news is that today's price is 185$ for the IS catalyst. Not bad at all.

Pretty sure they only make and sell steelies. I bet there just too many issues with thermal shock with the ceramics and wanted to go with something more durable. They made cat maintenance easier to address the clogging issue.

 

[begreen]

Are they still using all steel cats? Seems like the big cat making companies would be more dependable/efficient than in house cat production from such a small stove company. That maybe stove companies should make stoves.

It's a large, wide cat. The run may be too small for them to interest the big cat making companies?

 

[Leeks]

We have a 2200 sq ft 2 story farmhouse and purchased a Progress Hybrid last year. This stove replaced our 35 year old Hearthstone II. We looked at the newer Hearthstones but .... let's just say we weren't overly impressed. The PH is a beautiful stove and performs similar to our Hearthstone II although there is a bit of a learning curve running a stove with a cat. Like our Hearthstone II, the PH really hits it's stride when the daytime temps drop into the 20's and lower. The thermal mass and light feeding keep the house comfortable in shoulder season weather. Also, I would highly recommend the optional ash pan. IMHO, I wouldn't have a stove without one.

 

[fire_man]

The other caveat is the catalyst has sometimes been out of supply and unavailable for an extended period.

Funny you mention that, I just checked and the Progress Hybrid Cat is out of Stock on backorder. Glad I got mine earlier this Summer.

I am heating 2300 sq ft w/ the PH in a poorly insulated house. Its fine until it gets below about 25 degrees during the day, and then I fire up the Palladian.