Catalytic Combustor, food for thought.

Instead of compressed air I recommend using the flexible rubber end of a shop vac hose and touch every square inch of the face of the cat. Kind of like you're dabbing the ash off.

 

Has anyone tried a caustic solution? I used to work in a chemical plant that made paint and adhesive. These products had to be filtered across a stainless mesh screen before loading out. You can imagine how clogged up they would get. We cleaned them in a sodium hydroxide and water solution that was heated in a steam jacket kettle. It usually didnt take long. Now I realize that people aren't going to have access to this type of stuff but you can find sodium hydroxide or a similar caustic in some drain cleaners.

 

Drano (crystals) drain cleaner is Sodium Hydroxide. We use it for soap making. Its exothermic chemical reaction causes it to get really hot on its own. I can see how using it in a steam jacket kettle would make it an awesome cleaner. I bet you never forgot the PPE using it.

 

I believe vinegar is caustic. That's what cats are cleaned with. Metal cats anyway. Not sure about ceramic.

 

Oh yes I meant the stainless only. I wouldn't put anything but stainless in a caustic solution. You can damage certain metals, especially cast iron and I'm sure it would do a number on ceramic.