Englander Cat Stove

[neverrude]

My neighbor stoped by last night and ask me if I knew anything about catalytic stoves and I told no but I know of a great web sight that has a world of information and I would ask there.

He has an Enlglander cat stove he installed in 02. He has never changed the cat combustor
He said the only way he can run the stove is with the door open a little. That's the only way the stove gets enough air.

Any ideas what could be the problem?



He's going to call me today with model number.

 

[BrowningBAR]

My neighbor stoped by last night and ask me if I knew anything about catalytic stoves and I told no but I know of a great web sight that has a world of information and I would ask there.

He has an Enlglander cat stove he installed in 02. He has never changed the cat combustor
He said the only way he can run the stove is with the door open a little. That's the only way the stove gets enough air.

Any ideas what could be the problem?



He's going to call me today with model number.

Well, wet wood has to be mentioned. And if he has never changed the cat, he probably hasn't cleaned the cat chamber either. That could be gunked up. Does he at least clean his chimney? If not, his 6" pipe might now have the air flow capacity of a straw.

 

[neverrude]

Browing thanks for the reply. My neighbor was supose to call me back and he never did. I'll give him a call today and if he wants I'll go and take a look at it and I'll bring some of my seasoned wood with me. I'll let you know what I find out.

 

[tcassavaugh]

i changed the cat on one last year for my daughter in a place she was renting because it was getting no draw either. not sure what model it was but had the two spinning covers on the front for the air vents. it took about an hour to change as you had to reach all the way in and change it in the back left corner. i've never seen such an arrangement, couldnt see what you were doing....and what a pain. got it back together and it worked a lot better. if its a cat, will it run with it bypassed? I cleaned the chimney for them too and that helped a little but there wasn't much in the waay of soot in it.

id check the cat first for sure or at least see if it runs ok open bypassing the cat.

cass

 

[Jags]

Yep, bypass the cat. See if it burns well in that position. After the proper temp is reached - engage the cat and see how the fire reacts. It could be a multi problem thing. If you are willing to take some known good wood over there, you have won half the battle.

Plugged cap
Plugged cat
Worn out cat (yes, they do have a life cycle)
wet wood
bad draft (dirty chimney) could all be part of the problem.

Your a good neighbor. ;-)

 

[neverrude]

Thanks Jags, I guess he worked it out himself. He never returned my call.