Controlling flame impingement.

Why is 'flame impingement' bad for the catalyst?
Direct flame contact is death to the catalyst. A catalyst burns the byproducts in the smoke. The gases such as CO, HC, and O2 ignite with each other in a chemical reaction in the presence of the catalyst (while passing through the honeycomb configuration).
Direct flame inhibits this reaction by changing the chemical make-up of the catalyst breaking down the substrate or ceramic.
Today's modern wood burning stoves are designed so that flame impingement is unlikely. However, it is not impossible. A strong fast draft can pull the flames into the catalyst. A hot fire with all the primary air controls wide open or perhaps the firebox door or ash pan door ajar are other ways the catalyst might receive flame impingement.

What causes creosote?

Creosote is a brown tar like substance which is the product of incomplete combustion of wood smoke. It results from engaging the combustor too soon or trying to operate the unit when the combustor temperature is too low.

This material must be burned off the combustor.

To burn off the creosote, put the combustor back in the stove and burn the stove at a higher than normal temperature for 30 minutes with the combustor engaged and the by-pass closed. Repeat as necessary until the material can be removed.

Note: If the combustor is coated with creosote, it is likely that the flue pipe and chimney are also coated with creosote.

Be sure to have the stove's exhaust system cleaned before operating at these higher temperatures to avoid a chimney fire.

Be sure the combustor has cooled completely before attempting to handle it again.

What is fly-ash?

FLY ASH is the normal accumulation of light grey ash, both from combustion within the catalytic combustor and from particles carried up from the stove's fire bed.

It can be removed by gently brushing with a clean, soft bristled brush or using a low suction appliance, like a vacuum cleaner.

Do not use high pressure air to clean fly ash from the combustor.

Deposits within the combustor cells can be carefully cleaned with a cotton swab or pipe cleaner.

What causes soot?

SOOT is a dark brown granular material which can result from burning off the creosote or from burning foreign materials in the stove's firebox with the by-pass closed, such as paper and cardboard.
It can be removed by gently brushing with a clean, soft bristled brush or using a low suction appliance, like a vacuum cleaner.

See cleaning for other options. 6-10-09

Do not use high pressure air to clean fly ash from the combustor. Deposits within the combustor cells can be carefully cleaned with a cotton swab or pipe cleaner.

On the humorous side