Troubleshooting cat issue

[BronxMatt]

Hi all,

I have a blaze King Ashford 25 insert that I have been using for about 2 1/2 winters so far. A few weeks ago when the fire had been out for a couple of days, I cleaned the combustor. This time I tried doing it with a vacuum and soft bristle brush attachment. Since then, I have had an issue getting the fire hot when the cat is engaged.

When I refuel the fire and let it get hot with the cat disengaged and the air intake all the way open, the fire is able to heat up and get to temperature. But as soon as I turn on the cat, with the air intake still fully open, the fire dies down as if I had also closed the air intake. My thinking is that when I vacuumed, I may have pulled some soot into the air tubes of the cat that has clogged them. This is may be what is causing less air to be able to pass through it and appear as if the air intake has been closed when it actually has not.

Any thoughts on how to address this?

Thanks everyone!

 

[begreen]

Did the wood change at all? When was the flue system and chimney cap last cleaned.

Try blowing air through the cat or remove it and vacuum the back side too. Hold it up to the light to make sure the cells are clear. Also vacuum behing the cat while at it. Have a fresh gasket on hand for the cat in case it needs it.

 

[stoveliker]

Yes, I've seen fly ash behind the cat I think due to the metal plate that hangs down behind the cat probe.
When I took my cat out for the first time I found fly ash in the bottom half inch or so in the back. I think my vacuuming did that.

Any time you take out the cat you'll need a new gasket. I bought a roll and use scissors to cut them to size.

 

[BronxMatt]

Thanks,

I’ve read not to blow compressed air into the cat. I can control the pressure on my portable tank. Should I dial it back and try to blow it out a little before committing to taking it out for a cleaning?

 

[stoveliker]

Yes, be very gentle.
I don't know what pressure is still okay...

 

[begreen]

Low pressure air should be ok. Kuma says 20-30 psi in their manual.

 

[Montanalocal]

You can buy compressed air dusters in cans.


https://www.amazon.com/Office-Depot...3012916011_d_sccl_1/137-7956929-5327614?psc=1

 

[stoveliker]

Yes. Don't like the straw into the cat channels tho

 

[crstrode]

I have used a portable air tank numerous times to blow ash from the cat in my Sirocco Insert (SC25). Those duster cans work well also, however, when they are empty, they are empty. To make sure air pressure does not damage the cat, merely hold the air tank nozzle back a few inches from the cat face. This reduces pressure and and velocity at the cat face. The air stream also spreads out wider so it will go through several channels instead of just one. When the annual soot-eater treatment is underway, I stick the shop vac up past the smoke baffle and suck out a good amount of ash from the back of the cat. Been doing this for 5 years now with good results.

As in most things; be patient, be careful, be gentle.