Care of the Catalytic Combustor
Your wood heater contains a catalytic combustor which should be inspected regularly and replaced periodically to ensure proper operation. It is illegal in the United
States to operate this wood heater in a manner inconsistent with operating instructions in this manual, or if the catalytic element is deactivated or removed.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic com- bustor should remain active for two to six years (de- pending on the amount of wood burned). However, it is important to monitor the combustor to ensure it is functioning properly, as well as to determine when it needs to be replaced. A
The combustor should be visually inspected “in place” for fly ash accumulation and physical damage three times per year. Actual removal of the combustor is not recommended unless a more detailed inspection is war- ranted because of diminished performance as outlined below.
The refractory package that houses the catalytic com- bustor should be inspected annually for a
When To Suspect a Combustor Problem
The best way to evaluate the performance of your WinterWarm Small Insert’s combustor is to observe the amount of smoke leaving the chimney — both when the combustor has achieved
•With a fire going and the combustor properly activated with the damper closed to route smoke through it as described in the Operation Section, go outside and observe the smoke leaving the chimney.
•Then, open the stove damper and once again observe the smoke leaving the chimney.
Significantly more smoke should be observed after the second step when the stove damper is open and exhaust is not routed through the combustor. Be care- ful, however, not to confuse smoke with steam from wet wood.
If this test indicates a problem, consider other possible factors as well, such as the time of year or a change in the quality of your fuel. In spring and fall, draft is weaker than it is in colder winter weather, and fires can burn sluggishly. Small, hot fires are a good solution under these conditions.
WinterWarm Small Insert
Burning “green” (insufficiently seasoned) wood will result in poorer performance than burning properly seasoned fuel. You may have to run your stove hotter (more air) to achieve good performance if you are burn- ing green or wet wood. Also, consider any changes in your operating routine as well.
Once you have ruled out any other possible causes for a decline in performance, you may proceed with an inspection of the combustor.
Removal and Inspection of the Combustor
and Refractory Package
Before you begin, observe the basic safety precautions for working with dusty materials: always wear protec- tive eyewear, a recommended dust mask, and gloves.
1.Remove the andirons and burn plates.
2.Two cast iron wedges hold the fireback in place. Us- ing a block of wood and a hammer, tap the wedges upward. (Page 16, Fig. 17)
3.Grasp the fireback by its vertical ribs and remove it, together with the throat hood.
4.Clean the left and right exhaust pockets of the refractory package. Use a shop vacuum to avoid damaging the fragile refractory material. (Fig. 18)
Refractory | |
Plug |
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| Exhaust |
| Pockets |
FP1107 |
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Fig. 18 | The refractory package. |
5.Inspect the gaskets that seal the fireback to the damper frame and stove back. Replace if necessary.
6.Carefully remove the refractory plug.
7.Gently slide the catalytic element out of the refrac- tory chamber. Check the element and the bottom of the refractory chamber for a
8.If the honeycomb is clogged, take it outside for cleaning. Blow gently through the honeycomb. A sizeable quantity of ash may be removed from the element.
9.Inspect the element. Although small hairline cracks will not affect performance, the element essentially should be intact. If the element is broken in pieces or has sections missing, it should be replaced. Call your local Vermont Castings Authorized Dealer for a replacement element, item
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