How can you tell if the combustor is working?

Note: some stoves are equipped with a combustor view port, it should be noted that the combustor usually glows during the first 20 to 35% of the burn cycle when the catalyst is receiving the most smoke and burning at a high temperature. The combustor temperature can reach 1000 F. and produce a glow. However, the combustor does not have to glow to be working. As less smoke is present to burn, the combustor temperature drops and the glow will cease. Therefore, it is suggest this not be a method of determining whether or not the combustor is working.
-The best method is the use of thermo couplings and following the manufacturer’s instructions.
This method will read the inlet and exhaust temperatures of the combustor.
-A more simple method is to visually observe the exhaust coming out of the chimney. When theby-pass is in the closed position and the catalytic combustor is in good operating condition,
there should be no dark smoke coming out of the chimney.
-If the catalytic combustor is not working properly, the stove’s operator will notice an increase infuel usage.
-The stove’s operator will also notice an increase build-up of creosote in the system.

Important tips on firing a catalytic stove.

Give the combustor time to do its job
Catalytic stoves require special firing techniques. Instruction for these techniques will be found in the stove manufacturer's manual. If the manual for the appliance has detailed firing instructions, they should be followed. This is very important for smooth operation of the stove.

In short, the combustor needs light-off temperature before the by-pass should ever be closed.
A temperature of 500 degrees F. must be focused on the catalytic combustor for as least 25-30 minutes before the by-pass is closed. This will assure you that the combustor has had ample time to light-off. This is just a rule of thumb for any catalytic stove.
Remember to read the manufacturer's manual before building the first fire in you stove or contact Applied Ceramics.

Cleaning the catalytic combustor in your stove.

Normally your catalytic combustor requires little or no maintenance. Because it generates such high temperatures it is basically self-cleaning.
After the first burning the combustor should have a light gray powdery appearance. Should the combustor’s cells become masked with fly-ash, use a paintbrush or soft-bristled brush and dust the combustor gently.
Never use anything abrasive to clean the combustor. A vacuum cleaner may be used, but never use high pressured air to blow the cells free of any build-up.
Any cell blockage can be removed with the use of a pipe cleaner or a cotton swab. Should the combustor become masked with soot or creosote it is possible to burn the accumulation off by opening the bypass and building a hot fire. Once the hot fire is created, close the bypass halfway and burn for 30 to 60 minutes with the bypass in this position.
However, it might be wise to check and clean the combustor, if necessary, before each burning season and inspect all flues for creosote build up. Cleaning the flue when necessary helps prevent chimney flue fires.

Understand the catalytic combustor inside your woodburning appliance and how it works

a. What is the composition of a catalytic combustors?
Most catalytic combustors for wood burning stoves are made of a high temperature,honeycomb patterned, ceramic substrate. They are coated with special noble metals. The honeycomb pattern gives the combustor surface area for the catalytic coatings. The noble metals used are palladium/ or platinum.

b. How do they work? Normally, smoke will burn or oxidize, at a temperature of 1000 degrees or higher. Burning a stove this hot would require continuous intense fire and would require a higher wood consumption. The answer to eliminate this is the catalytic combustor.
Wood smoke gases coming in contact with the, cause chemical changes to take place.
This will then allow the smoke to ignite at temperatures around 500 degrees F. or (260 degrees C.) This temperature is easily achieved in the firebox of a wood burning stove. As the wood gases ignite and burn within the catalytic combustor, clean by-products of water vapor (H2O) and carbon dioxide (C02) are emitted.