What stove is better, a catalytic or non-catalytic?
There is much debate over this question. Both technologies will produce clean and efficient burns. Consider that a non-cat stove is usually easier to operate. There is one air control. If you want more heat, give the fire more air………less heat, reduce the amount of air. Catalytic stoves use a damper to engage the combustor that must be opened whenever the door is open or for re-fueling. The combustor and flue gas temperature must be monitored to know when it is appropriate to close the damper. A combustor needs to be cleaned regularly (at least annually) and periodically replaced (after about 10,000 hours of operation).
