Should you "Hot Fire" a catalytic stove?

Do not "hot fire" your catalytic stove with the by-pass closed.
If this is done with the by-pass damper closed, flames will be directed to the catalytic combustor and cause damage to it.

For many years retailers and installers have advised customers to build an extra hot fire to burn the creosote deposits in the flue system.
This advice is harmful to a catalytic stove and the combustor.

Why? Because the catalyst is reducing the particulate, or creosote build-up, therefore the need to hot fire for this purpose is eliminated.