How do you clean a wood stove catalytic combustor?

Can I use compressed air to clean the combustor cells set to a very low pressure like 20 psi or would this remove the precouis metals?

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How long does a wood stove catalytic converter last?
How do I know if my catalytic combustor is working?
Can you remove the catalytic converter from a wood stove?

What type of stove? I had a catalyst on my Appalachian Insert and the recommendations I read were to build a hot fire-- the catalyst (ceramic) was self cleaning.

I miss that stove.

Fireplace Xtroidinair. Hot fires burn it off but inside the passage ways get clogged.

Last edited: Jan 17, 2009

I have used compressed air at ~80 psi but wouldn't recommend it. I got about 4 years out of my catalyst and it is ~$250 for a new one.

The old one is still in there but I had a chunk fall out. There isn't a hole all the way through so I am waiting until I can use my left hand fully (tried to cut my index finger off with a utility knife, I got 3 more weeks before I can move it- cut tendon) before I swap them out.

Reading Blaze Kings manual you can vacuum them out to get the fly ash out. Otherwise there is a deep cleaning procedure that involves soaking the catalyst in a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water at just under boiling temp and two hot rinses in boiling hot distilled water.

I vacuum mine out from time to time to get the fly ash off. The main thing is burn dry wood and no trash and your catalyst maintainence will go way down.

Don

Catalytic combusters are delicate: the paladium or other precious metal coating on the ceramic grids is fragile. Blow out or brush carefully.
Sud-Chemie and Corning, makers of cats, have a manual ( maybe online ) that shows how a good combustor should look, and pics of deteriorated cats from too hot flames or trash burning, or higher than normal heating.
One renewal method that has worked for me is to literally bathe the cat in a flat pan or plate of warm vinegar--be sure that SWMBO is out of the house if done on the kitchen cook stove. The instructions for this usually come with a new cat or on the maker's site for details.
I clean and check the cat at least twice each heating season. Since we use the cat stove 24/7 in winter, the cat's life is around two years, maybe three if the winter was mild.
For efficient, long, consistent heat, our cat stove does a better job than the non-cat for a similar space and insulation. Replacing the cat every 2-3 years is just part of routine maintenance. Forget the "12,000 hour, or 6 year 'prorated' life" of a catalytic combustor. Used hard for 100% wood heat in a normal northern winter, cats last less than the 5 or 6 years they warranty.

Fireplace Xtroidinair. Hot fires burn it off but inside the passage ways get clogged.

I have the same stove, I just use a shop vacuum with a soft bristle brush attachment, yearly.

Transcribed

How to Clean a Catalytic Converter on a Wood Štove A wood stove is an alternative heating method for your home. It is similar to a fireplace in that you burn wood in it to heat the house. It converts harmful pollutants from the wood stove into less harmful emissions before releasing them into the almosphere. Instructions Remove the catalytic converter from the wood stove as per the manufacturer's directions that came with your stove. Vacuum both sides of the catalytic converter with a vacuum hose attachment. Clean both sides of the catalytic converter with a soft bristle brush. You're using soft bristles to avoid damaging or bending the converter, so brush each side gently. Clean ash off the catalytic converter with a pipe dleaner. Clean between each individual space where the ash is clinging to the sides of the squares in the converter. Prepare a 50:50 mixture of white vinegar and water in a bucket. Soak the catalytic converter in the mixture for 30 minutes. Follow by rinsing it in boiling water for 15 minutes. Rinse t a second time for 15 minutes if necessary. Tips & Warnings To extend the life of your catalytic converter, do not burn wet or unseasoned wood in the stove You should not burn fuels (kerosene, lighter fuid or coal) in your stove, nor should you burn treated wood, trash, plywood or particle board. Designed & Issued In Public Interest By SYNERGY

How long does a wood stove catalytic converter last?

Catalytic combustors are designed to last for a long time, generally five or six years, and sometimes more. How long yours will last depends on how much you use the stove and what you burn.

How do I know if my catalytic combustor is working?

When the bypass is in the closed position, and the catalytic combustor is in good operating condition, there should be no dark smoke coming from the chimney. If the catalytic combustor is not working properly, the stove's operator will notice an increase in fuel usage and a build-up of creosote in the system.

Can you remove the catalytic converter from a wood stove?

Removing your catalyst risks chimney fires that can damage property and people. Voiding Manufacturers' Warranties: Catalytic stoves are designed to operate at high temperatures with the catalyst engaged. If you remove the catalyst, you have an uncontrolled fire that may damage your stove, or render it inoperable.