Last night, I decided it was time to stop postponing a dirty job so I replaced the catalytic combuster in my Earth Stove BV 4000C. It was just as dirty and PITA job as I remembered from 10 years ago but I got it in. (This is only the second time I have replaced it so yes, it was past time.) So this evening, despite the warm Southern weather, I had to put the new catalyst to the test so I built a small fire, let it heat up, then engaged the catalyst. This is not one of the ceramic combusters but rather a thinner one made out of a different material that I had read about. According to the company, this catalyst only has to reach an initial 350-400 degrees to perform correctly and so far, based on only one small fire, it works great. A new catalyst, when fired with TRULY seasoned oak firewood makes me a happy man. Impressive secondaries, great heat, and a longer burn time with little visable smoke coming out the chimney. I had forgotten just how good they work. Like the old saying "nothing cuts like a saw with a new chain", nothing performs like a stove with a new combuster. I will not wait so long to replace it next time and hope to get 3-5 years out of it. $175.00 if I remember correctly.
I wish I would have taken a picture before I installed it. My only question is longevity. All combusters gradually degrade and should be changed out after 4-5 years. The one I replaced it with was 10 years old and barely functioning.
Sorry for the late reply Ralphie but I bought it back in February and had to research. It is called a HearthCat and is sold by stovecombusters.com.
Good Tim. Let me know how the new one works. Tom didn't have them yet when I was there but should be the new ones now.
Dolphus Raymond that cat is no doubt a steel cat rather than the old ceramic. Hope this one lasts as long. Have you ever cleaned your cats?
New manufacturer? How do you tell when its time to replace? Mine is only a season and a half old in my Ideal Steel, but seems to light weired meaning only spots will be lit or at least glowing. Maybe as its getting more hours I need to let the temp get higher before engaging? It was a refurb stove so not sure if it was necessarily a brand new cat when I got the stove. I regularly notice this while peeking through the cat probe hole there will still be a corner or section that is dark while the rest is bright orange. Lift the lid and sure enough still a little smoke slipping past. Maybe an instant full light off is only common on a new cat? Any pointers appreciated!
I'm quite sure that Tom also puts in a new cat with refurbished. Those stove go out of there like brand new stoves. When the cat don't light off it is either time to clean or time to replace. As it ages it will light off later and later. Along with brushing the cat you can also do the vinegar batch. Actually we do a vinegar spray using 50/50 white vinegar and distilled water. I generally use 25-30 oz of spray. Then use that much spray with only distilled water to rinse.
My cat was replaced about a month ago. I forgot if I posted anything about it, CRS is a pain. When I called Woodstock I told them I needed a cat and it was pro-rated so I saved a little bit. They asked if I needed gaskets and I told them yes and they shipped in the same box. They even included a mini tube of gasket glue which was handy. I can tell a difference with the new cat installed.
The guy I talked to said the IS cat was in stock, but there were others that were not. Seems like a bad time of the year to not have cats in stock.
