Just picked up a used Keystone locally and it's in great shape overall, only 5 years old and the previous owner said it was only used for 3. The combuster does show a number of cracks and some small missing pieces. As this is my first catalytic stove I'm not sure what life if any is left in it. I was planning on buying a new cat for the stove but figured I would check before I do. This is the old style ceramic cat.
That cat doesn't look that bad. I'd try it. Given the price of Woodstock cats, I'd also get a replacement. Because you will eventually need to.
I'd agree with Jeff, I'd give it a run because you will have a learning curve with a cat stove so may as well try to get that with the old one.
Looks like normal ware and tear for a 3 year old cat. Probably has a little life left but I think I'd just start out fresh with a new steel cat so you don't get frustrated with poor light offs or poor performance. Does this stove have the new stainless scoop protecting the cat or the older cast iron with expanded metal screen? You may want to replace that as well if its the later.
It has the old style scoop, what is the biggest difference with the new scoop? it looks like it is easier to access the infeed side of the cat for cleaning, is there anything else? I had thought I would wait on that but if you can give me a convincing argument I'll consider it. I'm likely going to stop up at woodstock tomorrow as work has me going most of the way there and I'll just pick up the stuff and avoid shipping.
The new scoop wraps around the whole cat and has a finer mesh which keeps more fly ash out of the cat. Less cat cleanings with my experience. The steel cat also has finer pass through cells so they developed the new scoop to keep the steel cat from clogging more. If you replace the ceramic with steel cat its probably better to go with a new scoop as well.
Congratulations on the new stove. That cat still has some work it can do but I'd pick up a new one anyway because you don't know for sure how long they will last once they start cracking. I like the steel cats as they light off quicker and no worry about crumbling. They also tend to last longer. When at Woodstock, I'd also ask them about the kit they have which has about everything you will ever need for maintenance on that stove including all the gaskets and it is a good price.
Stopped in and picked up a cat, the new scoop and some pipe today. Always cool to visit but didn't quite feel the same without Jamie being there...
Jamie left on good terms but found greener pastures. All is well but they want to hire you now Todd to replace him.
I "tried" to learn to run a cat stove while absolutely ignorant about them, coming from a pre epa stove. I think I am actually more confused after trying to get a crumbled cat to work. If I could do it over again I would have started with a new cat.
It really depends upon how badly the cat is. For sure though, once they start to crack, it does seem to take a hotter fire to get the cat to light off.
You should be happy with the new cat and flame deflector - the SS is good IMO. We're just starting our 2nd year with a Keystone - live 5 miles from the factory. Best wood stove I ever owned by a long shot.
I hope he didn't go down the road to Hearthstone. Lol If I didn't have to move I'd work for them in a heart beat. Time for Woodstock to expand to the Midwest.
