WS Steel Cat update

I don't engage mine too quick I always worry if there is too much moisture ?? I know any left over moisture gasses off quick. This is all wood that's been CSS for 2.5 years at least and all under 20%

 

This is a great thread. I'm thinking that the cat cleaning with vacuum cleaner and brush only gets off the fly ash from the cell entrance & exits. This could leave some fly ash covering the catalyst precious metal coating covered in the middle, so the smoke doesn't get to the platinum. That's why a mild 50/50 vinegar-water wash (I spray not bath) clears out any ash or unburnt creo from the cell middles. Then a rinse with tap water then distilled. It has always woke up the cat noticeably but I agree once or twice a season max.
EDIT: Also, I wonder if it would be prudent to bypass the cat (on the IS you slide the cat sled out of the exhaust stream - other stoves open the bypass door) once the fuel is into coal stage. This is because the cat is really no longer needed or active and the ash-laden exhaust stream won't go through the cat.

 

I can't remember are we useing white vinegar here?

 

The cat does help hold some heat in. Keeping it open would let alot of that heat out the stove.

 

Yes - 1:1 (50/50) with water

 

I'm thinking that any fly ash that floats into the interior should just blow right out. I'm more worried about un-burned creo that eventually gets burned; I'd think that ash would be more likely to stick. That's why I like to get the stove pretty hot before I close the bypass; I want that cat burning hot as soon as I close the bypass to avoid creo deposits inside of it. That said, I don't like burning "poppy" wood like Sassafrass. Seems like that would stir up more fly ash. I do burn Cherry, though, and that stuff will pop a bit.
I use strictly distilled water to rinse. It's cheap, and I don't want to take a chance with tap water, even if I'm rinsing after that with distilled. I haven't tried the rinse yet, been simmering the cat and double-rinsing. I've only been doing it once every couple years. http://www.condar.com/combustorcleaningmanual.pdf

Yep, white (distilled) vinegar.

 

Even if you close it earlier and cat slowly climbs up to temp then jumps up. It's still burning 1300+ for me usually 1500to1700 on a moderate fire. That's sure hot enough to burn any creosote off the cat I would think.

 

Agreed, but I think that fly ash would blow out easily whereas creo that was stuck inside and then burned, the ash might not blow out, it might stick.