I just pulled my Cats down out of my High Valley 2500. They were suprisingly clean given im not burning all <20%MC wood. I try and usually have 35%or less, mostly closer to 30%. (Im trying to get 2 yrs ahead, after this season i will be burning all 1yr+ wood, should be insead of some 6month wood). Anyway none of them were plugged just some tiny as globs that blocked no more than 10% of the hole they were in. Some fly ash under them is all. But after sucking the fly ash out i looked close and could see many cracks in both. This is going on my 4th season on them (bought stove used and they told me they replaced them upon my request for the deal, this was a stove store). I have noticed a bit more smoke out of the chimney this last season (maybe its mind over matter? but i assumed it cause of wood that was not as good that year). They seem to take longer to clean up the smoke once engaged but there is only wisps of smoke out of it and you really have to look to spot it comeing out.
My theory on the cracks is like i said less than optimal wood and engageing the cats to fast? Or opening when the cats were to hot and they cool air cracking them??
I guess there fine to run with these cracks in them as there still cleaning the smoke to what i beleive an acceptable amount? What do you experts say?
My theory on the cracks is like i said less than optimal wood and engageing the cats to fast? Or opening when the cats were to hot and they cool air cracking them??
I guess there fine to run with these cracks in them as there still cleaning the smoke to what i beleive an acceptable amount? What do you experts say?