Catalytic or NonCatalytic: Clearing the air

Most retail showrooms will have both catalytic and noncatalytic wood stoves on display. Both meet clean air requirements. But some wood stove manufacturers will actually promote one technology at the expense of the other. Not Lehman’s™. We offer both types of wood stoves, and see real benefits of each technology to the homeowner.

CATALYTIC
A higher efficiency heating machine, catalytic wood stoves are ideal for those who wish to supplant a major portion of their heating needs with their wood stove	Cleaner Burning Higher Efficiency Advanced features such as top-loading, swing-out ash pan and thermostatic control Longer burn times

NONCATALYTIC
Homeowners will save money and time with a noncatalytic model. Easier to start and operate, the noncatalytic wood stove is ideal for those with less heating demands on their wood stove.	Slightly lower cost Easier to operate Livelier flame picture No catalytic combustor to replace

How Catalytic Combustion Works

Primary Air enters the stove through an access hole in the back and is preheated as it is drawn through the interior walls of the stove.
To achieve greater efficiency, thermostatically controlled secondary air mixes with the smoke (which is unburned wood gases). This begins the secondary combustion process.
Smoke passes through a catalytic combustor, which lowers the smoke's burning temperature from 1200°F to 600°F, and causes it to ignite. This secondary combustion turns that smoke into usable heat.