If you are still debating on whether you should upgrade your traditional fireplace to one of the many wood stove inserts, then keep reading. You will see that the newer models offer many benefits.
Wood stove inserts are usually made from cast iron or plate steel and have glass doors to allow you to enjoy watching the flames.
Today, many models and styles are available. So, it is very easy to find one that matches your personal tastes and home decor.
Choices can include models that protrude onto the hearth. The additional surface area of the insert provides more radiant heat. Read the rest
In this video, an industry expert explains some problems that may develop with wood stove catalytic combustors. He shows examples of damaged combustors and explains how the damage occurs and what can be done to prevent damage such as thermal shock or mechanical cracks.
Replacement costs have dropped in recent years thanks to increased competition and online access to the catalytic combustors. Now, you can expect to pay about $200.00 US dollars.
Stove manufacturers are required by the Environmental Protection Agency to provide a six year prorated warranty on the original wood stove combustors. If your combustor does stop working properly anytime during that six year period, you can return it and get a prorated refund that can be applied to a new purchase.
The original combustor that is returned to the stove manufacturer is then returned to the original supplier for testing. Test results usually show that the combustors failed due to thermal shock. Thermal shock results from sharp changes in the temperature. If you were to load ice or snow covered wood into your hot stove, or try to burn wet wood, you would have a rapid temperature change that will, over time, damage your catalytic combustor.
With proper burning techniques and stove maintenance, the catalytic combustors can last much longer than comparable stove parts that are not kept clean.
Above is a photo of a new wood stove catalytic combustor.
For more selections of wood stove and wood burning fireplace inserts catalytic combustors, check out out Catalytic Combustors.
If you cannot find your combustor there, you can always check Condar’s.
Three tips to a hot fire for your wood burning fireplace insert:
Use dry, seasoned wood
Make sure wood isn't too big
Use enough kindling
Purchase your wood from a reputable dealer, or make sure you season your wood if you cut it yourself.
Wood that is seasoned will have darkened ends with cracks or "checks". The wood will have a hollow sound when you hit two pieces together and will be lighter in weight than wood that is not seasoned.
Green wood contains up to 50% more water than seasoned wood. When you burn a stove load of green wood, you can have up to a gallon of water from the moisture content of the wood. The extra moisture has to burned out of the wood. You use the energy of the fire to evaporate the water instead of producing more heat.
Wood does not dry well until it is split. Use a splitting maul or a hydraulic splitter to split your wood. Make sure you keep lots of kindling wood for your fires.
After you cut your wood, it is important that you stack it correctly so it dries properly. Stack you wood so that air can flow around the split logs. Keep the top of the stack covered.
Once your wood is completely seasoned, store it so that it is protected from the rain and snow. Cover it with a tarp or keep the seasoned wood in a wood shed.
