DO NOT attempt to remove the combustor from its stainless steel band (if it is so equipped) for this procedure. Always be sure the combustor has cooled completely before handling. Handle with care to avoid breakage.
Dry Cleaning
Using a clean, unused paint brush and a vacuum cleaner, remove any fly ash and loose soot from the combustor. If some cells are totally blocked, use a cotton swab or pipe cleaner. Be careful not to damage any of the cell walls by scraping or scratching them with a hard object.
Wet Cleaning
In addition to keeping the unit clear of ash and debris, a major wet cleaning every other year (or every year in heavy-use situations) will help prevent deactivation of the combustor due to accumulation of deposits on the surface of the catalytic material.
Checklist of Tools and Materials for Wet Cleaning
• Combustor removal instructions from your stove Owners Manual.
• Distilled water - 2 to 3 gallons, enough to completely cover the combustor by at least 1/2 inch greater than its thickness, three separate times. Do not use tap water, it contains minerals which may harm your combustor.
• White vinegar - 2 to 3 quarts, or enough to mix a 50/50 solution with distilled water.
• An old pot to heat the cleaning solution in.
• A metal wash pan or bucket big enough to completely submerge the combustor in the vinegar/water cleaning solution.
• A plastic coated wire or heavy cord.
• Handtools - unused paint brush, screw driver, pliers. Again, refer to the Owners Manual of your stove for specifics.
• Home vacuum cleaner with standard size hose.
Pour distilled water and vinegar in a pot to form a 50/50 mixture of the solution. Heat the solution until it is boiling. Take the cord or coated wire and form a handle for dipping the combustor into the boiling cleaning solution.
Slowly lower combustor into the boiling solution and slightly reduce the heat. There is no need to keep the solution boiling once the combustor is in place. Do not allow combustor to bump the bottom of the pot. Allow vinegar solution to flow easily through the combustor cells. Let it soak in the hot cleaning solution for at least 30 minutes.
After soaking combustor in the vinegar solution, dry with a soft towel. Dump the vinegar solution, rinse the pot and boil half of the remainder of the distilled water. Again, place combustor in the boiling water to rinse. With the water just below boiling, let it simmer for 15 minutes. Rinse combustor using this procedure at least twice. Use fresh distilled water each time.
Shake excess water from combustor cells and dry it thoroughly. Place combustor back into your stove according to the instructions in your owners’ manual.
Allow combustor to dry 24 hours before lighting a fire. Steam generated from a damp combustor could damage the catalyst material. If the stove must be put back into operation immediately, place combustor in an oven and heat at 300°F for at least 1 hour. Allow combustor to cool completely before reinstalling it.
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Catalytic Combustors 
