Cleaning a "New" CAT-surprising results

Great meeting with EPA on this topic. When it was pointed out that online sellers were selling combustors with none or different formulas of precious metals, EPA would consider this in future rule making. (Scheduled for 2027). Many years ago there was an Applicable Determination (AD138) that permitted catalyst manufacturers to send a catalytic combustor to OMNI Test labs. That combustor was used in a reference stove and if the combustor performed as well as or better than the original combustor in the reference stove certification, the proposed new combustor was deemed suitable for sale. AD138 expired in 2015's NSPS, making it 100% required that any combustor sold has to be the same combustor used in the certification of a specific wood heater. This applies to stove manufacturers & their dealers.

When AD138 expired, it opened a Pandora's box of non compliance, which EPA is intent on addressing. Manufacturers of combustors should provide only one combustor, that being the one used in the certifying a wood heater. If a manufacturer were to decrease the amount of precious metals (alter the formula) then they would be able enter that product legally into to the chain of commerce, and this is happening.

I think this topic has been challenged enough and rightfully so. We'll just let this all get sorted out and that will address this topic.

BKVP

 

Please keep us posted. I'm sick of all this counterfeit crap coming in from overseas.

 

So I see 50:50 recommended for the vinegar wash but my Hearthstone manual says 1:4.

Thoughts?

I might like to get my stove cranked up tomorrow but I have definitely noticed a moderate deterioration in cat performance after three years, so it would be good to do what I can to help.

 

Follow the Mfg's suggestions.

BKVP

 

Good idea. Just got done doing so. Hopefully it buys me some more time with my cats.

Interesting aromas from my kitchen. the combination of wood fire smell and vinegar almost made it seem like bbq.

 

I think the aroma is best experienced on the back porch!

BKVP

 

I think I have to agree. My wife was not amused when she tried to bake cookies immediately after I finished what I was doing.

 

I've never put a cat in my kitchen stove. But I do use the 50/50 process on my Absolute Steel and I now have a steel cat in my Fireview. But this is my first steel cat in my Fv, previously I've been using ceramic cats in my 205 Fireview. If you have a older Fv with the cast iron casing You can get a ceramic from a company called Firecat. I used it when I couldtn't get one from Woodstock and I found it worked quite well, for more than 6 years. It takes 2 of these and a casket around them but they worked well.

205 Fireview

PS I don't on the steel cats I use an old hair dryer to dry them quite easily and quickly, and that process seems to work well.

 

They don't last forever but the vinegar will certainly give it a temporary refresh. After 3 years I'd be making sure to have the replacement cat ready. When you say 1:4 is that 1 vinegar to 4 waters? Pickle water is 3 vinegars to 1 water.

 

Firecat is midwest hearth as you see when you click through. You can also go to amazon and get these from midwest hearth. All of these ceramic cats come from Applied Ceramics from what I understand.

 

In 1985, I bought a Korean stove (forgot the brand name) that had a ceramic catalytic converter in it. It was a small stove I ran in my basement. It would also burn coal if you took the cat out. I ran that stove for years on its first cat. So, I'm used to ceramic cats, and I find they heat quite well. Their only real downside is that they can be damaged more easily if not handled carefully. This is not a problem on the Fireview. I only bring this up if you're in need and can't get what you need from Woodstock, but remember, you need the cast iron casing on the Fv.

 

i personally prefer the ceramic catalysts. Less clogging, warping, cheaper, and I even think they last longer.

 

Highbeam you're correct, the ceramics do last longer, at least in the Fireview I have. I bought one in 2018 when they were out of stock at Woodstock. It wasn't a matter of preference. But I needed a new cat.

Then, quite a bit later, I did get the Woodstock steel cat. I was already doing fine with the ceramic, so I let it ride. in 2024, they ceramic bit the dust somewhat quickly, so I'm back to the steel cat from Woodstock. I just checked, and they still have those ceramics if needed. In the Fv it worked quite well.