CATALYST OWNER’S MANUAL Safety Notice: Please save these instructions for future reference. Please read this entire manual before you install and use your new room heater. Failure to follow instructions may result in property damage, bodily injury, or even death. Contact local building or fire officials about restrictions and installation inspection requirements in your area.
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Introduction What you have in your hands is not the greatest wood burning device ever invented – it is just the manual for the greatest wood burning device ever invented. Catalyst is the world’s first smart wood stove. We built the Catalyst around state-of-the-art combustion techniques and using a revolutionary smart controller that delivers efficient, clean, and safe burning for you and your family. As a result, we’ve won a few prizes.
Table of Contents Introduction .......................................................................................... 2 Table of Contents ................................................................................ 3 Safety Precautions .............................................................................. 5 Installation........................................................................................ 5 Operation ..........................................................................
Catalyst Smart App............................................................................ 30 Downloading the Catalyst Smart App ........................................... 30 Connecting To Your Catalyst ........................................................ 30 Stove Control Screen .................................................................... 31 Setting the Temperature ................................................................ 32 Controlling Your Blower ...................................
Safety Precautions Installation The Catalyst must be properly installed to prevent house fires. Please strictly adhere to the installation instructions. The Catalyst must be connected to a listed high temperature chimney or approved masonry chimney with liner. Do not install in a mobile home We recommend you use smoke and CO detectors Contact your local building officials to obtain information on any local wood stove installation requirements.
low burn rate that must not be altered. It is against federal regulations to alter this setting or otherwise operate this wood heater in a manner inconsistent with operating instructions in this manual. Do not burn garbage or flammable fluids such as gasoline, naphtha or engine oil Never over-fire the Catalyst, as it could lead to a house fire. If the unit or chimney connector glows, you have over-fired the unit. Allow the Catalyst to cool before conducting any maintenance.
Features and Specifications Exhaust: This is where your chimney pipe, or stack, attaches. Soapstone: The soapstone serves to smooth heat delivery for a long comfortable burn. Full-Fire View: Three windows means you can see the beautiful fire from everywhere in the room. Blower vent: Hot air from the blower blows out from this gap and warms your room.
Dimensions All clearances, side, corner, and back, are measured from the largest dimensions. Emissions U.S. Environmental Protection Agency certified to comply with 2020 particulate emission standards for single burn rate heaters. This single burn rate wood heater is not approved for use with a flue damper. Certified average emissions rate of 1.9 g/hr, tested to EPA Method 28R and ASTM E2515-11.
Stove Installation Safety Notice: Please read this entire manual before you install and use your new room heater. Failure to follow instructions may result in property damage, bodily injury, or even death. Contact local building or fire officials about restrictions and installation inspection requirements in your area. Do not install in a mobile home! Planning the Installation Proper care and attention to service helps to protect you from unnecessary fires and carbon monoxide poisonings.
Stove Placement Requirements Catalyst must be placed in a room with a source of fresh air. Stove must be placed so that no combustibles are within, or can swing within 36" (914mm) of the front of the stove (drapes, doors, etc.). Floor protection must extend around the front, sides, and rear of the stove, according to listed clearance requirements below. Floor protection must be made of a non-combustible material and at least 0.018” (0.45 mm) thick with a minimum R-value of 2.67 ft2•hr•°F/Btu/in.
Standard Installation A B D E G H I Minimum Clearance Requirements Side wall to stovetop Back wall to stovetop Connector to side wall Connector to back wall Floor protection, side and back Floor protection, front Floor protection, connector side 11 | Page 20” (508 mm) 12” (305 mm) 30” (762 mm) 15” (381 mm) 8” (200 mm) 16” (407 mm) 2” (51 mm) Catalyst Owner’s Manual | © MF Fire 2017
Corner Installation C F G H Minimum Clearance Requirements Corner wall to stovetop Connector to corner wall Floor protection, side and back Floor protection, front Catalyst Owner’s Manual | © MF Fire 2017 8” (203 mm) 18” (458 mm) 8” (200 mm) 16” (407 mm) Page | 12
Chimney Requirements Do not connect Catalyst to a chimney flue serving any other appliance or use in conjunction with any air distribution ductwork, unless specifically approved. This room heater must be connected to: 1. A 6” (150 mm) diameter, UL 103 HT chimney, from a single manufacturer OR 2. A code approved masonry chimney with a flue liner. Standard Chimney Arrangement A. Chimney termination 15’/33’ (4.5/10m) min/max height B. Roof penetration C. Chimney sections D. Ceiling penetration E.
Chimney Connector Requirements Chimney connector is required from the flue collar of the stove to the factory-built chimney or masonry chimney. The chimney connector must be 6” (152mm) diameter and a minimum 24 gauge black steel. Aluminum or galvanized steel is not allowed – these materials cannot withstand the flue temperatures and may give off toxic fumes when heated.
Chimney Termination Requirements Must have an approved cap (to prevent water from entering) Must not be located where it will become plugged by snow or other material Must terminate at least 3' (914mm) above the roof and at least 2' (610mm) above any portion of the roof within 10' (3.
Special Installation: Exterior Factory-Built Chimney Catalyst may be used in conjunction with an exterior factory built chimney provided that the chimney meets UL 103 HT requirements. Special care must be taken regarding the wall thimble, or penetration from the chimney connector pipe to the exterior chimney, if the wall thimble must pass through an exterior wall.
Special Installation: Masonry Chimney Catalyst may be used in conjunction with a masonry chimney provided all installation instructions are followed. We strongly recommend a full reline when installing the Catalyst in a masonry chimney. If the chimney does not have a clay tile liner, a full reline is required. The chimney must be clean, undamaged, and meet all local building codes.
Special Installation: Masonry Fireplace Catalyst may be used in conjunction with a masonry fireplace provided all installation instructions are followed. The entire fireplace must be clean, undamaged, and meet all local building codes. This installation requires a full reline. The liner must be stainless steel chimney connector or flexible vent pipe. Follow the liner manufacturer’s instructions for installation and support.
Installing the Soapstone Catalyst’s soapstone pieces are designed to maintain a smooth even heating while effectively directing your blower air into the room. To install the soapstone, simply rest the two smaller soapstone side panels on top of the stove and then rest the larger top panel on top of the side pieces, as shown below. The soapstone must be installed before attaching your Catalyst to the chimney connector.
Connecting the Combustion Fan The combustion fan (AD-MF) is responsible for moving the air throughout your stove and is mounted on the exhaust of your Catalyst in the section of single wall chimney connector pipe directly adjacent to the stove. Catalyst’s combustion fan is mounted in your existing single wall chimney pipe. You will need a dremel or jigsaw, drill, a pair of scissors, and a flat head screw driver for your installation.
Step 1: Gather the combustion fan parts Each Catalyst comes with a combustion fan, four “U” nuts, four screws, rope gasket, and a paper template cutting your chimney connector. Catalyst does not come with the screws necessary to secure your chimney connector pipe to your stove or to the remainder of your chimney connector. Step 2: Clean pipe surface and adhere the template to your pipe Ensure the chimney connector pipe is clean and adhere the template so that the arrow points towards the chimney exit.
Catalyst Smart Controller Assembly The Catalyst smart controller assembly includes the smart controller, 4 ceramic spacers, and 4 self-drilling screws. The smart controller should be screwed in to the four piloted holes on the bottom of the rear air duct with the ceramic spacers being placed between the smart controller and the rear air duct. The screws should not be over tightened in order to avoid damaging the ceramic spacers.
Connecting the Electronics The combustion fan and smart controller are the two electronic components that must be installed. Special care should be taken when routing the primary power cord (the right cord), and the combustion fan cord (the middle cord), and the blower fan cord (the left cord). Under no circumstances should the power cords be routed in front of or underneath the appliance.
Connecting the Smart Sensors Catalyst is equipped with three temperature sensing thermocouples. Each sensor is plugged into the smart controller and help’s Catalyst to smoothly regulate your burn. Thermocouples These thin wires monitor temperature at their tip. They are very low voltage, and not dangerous to touch, but are somewhat fragile and should be handled with care. The first two thermocouples are routed through the back of the stove and above the main baffle in Catalyst’s firebox.
How Catalyst Works Catalyst is a whole lot easier to use than any wood stove you have ever used. Gone are the days of dampers and keeping the door open to start the stove, spilling smoke into the room. Instead, Catalyst is 100% automatic, so you just build a fire and walk away, and the Catalyst goes to work automatically tending your fire and minimizing emissions. Combustion Fan and Room Blower Catalyst comes equipped with two powerful fans: the combustion fan and the room blower.
Turbo-Start Safety Notice: Never use gasoline, gasoline-type lantern fuel, kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid, or similar liquids to start or "freshen up" a fire in this heater. Keep all such liquids well away from the heater while it is in use. Before starting your Catalyst, be sure that all power cords are remote from the main firebox, to prevent burning and electrical failure. Catalyst is the only wood stove in the world with a Turbo-start system, making Catalyst the easiest wood stove ever to start.
70oF. If you’d like to set your ideal temperature, just use the Catalyst Smart App. Reloading When reloading, if there is a large coal bed (glowing red coals, covering the entire bottom, at least an inch deep), there is no need to use kindling or newspaper. To reload, press the power on button on your Catalyst smart app or on your Catalyst controller (the bottom button) until the combustion fan turns on. The pull from your combustion fan helps to prevent smoke from spilling into the room.
Ordinary Operating Sounds During the typical of your Catalyst, the wood stove will make occasional creaking noises. This is completely normal and is likely caused by the heating and cooling of the stove. Additionally, the fans will create some noise as they move air through the stove and the room.
Engaging the Catalytic Combustor Prior to opening the front door, the catalytic combustor bypass should be opened (swing upwards). Engage the combustor by swinging the bypass handle on the right-hand side of the stove until it closes completely. This applies when first starting a fire, or when reloading wood onto hot coals. Opening the catalytic combustor bypass prior to opening the front door when hot coals remain may also help to reduce some smoke out into the room.
Catalyst Smart App Catalyst is the first wood stove that can be controlled directly from your smart phone. That means you can achieve your perfect burn with just the push of a button. Let’s show you how it works Downloading the Catalyst Smart App To get your Catalyst Smart App simply visit the Google Play Store, Amazon App Store, or iTunes and search “MF Fire Catalyst”, and follow instructions to install. Having trouble? Shoot us an email at info@mffire.com and we’ll help.
Stove Control Screen You can control your Catalyst from the stove control screen. Set your room temperature or adjust the room blower. Settings: Adjust stove settings or learn more about the Catalyst Smart App Room Temperature: Set your desired room temperature Blower Speed: Set the speed of the fan blowing air throughout your room Power On/ Power Off: Turn on or off your Catalyst smart controls.
Setting the Temperature Catalyst will automatically adjust to maintain the perfect room temperature for you. This temperature can be chosen by touching the screen and sliding the temperature slider circle pictured in the center of the app. If you don’t do anything, Catalyst will automatically work to achieve a perfect 70oF. If your turn the dial all the way down Catalyst will burn as slowly as possible. If you turn it all the way up it will burn as quickly as possible.
Temperatures: View your current room and fire temperatures. Burn Status: Check to see if you are burning well or if it is time to add more wood. Burn Rate: See how much heat your stove is currently producing Efficiency: Monitor your smart efficiency to see how much money you are saving. Note: No status screen numbers will display if there is no fire or the fire is too small in Catalyst. Notifications Catalyst will notify you when you of a few events during your fire.
Regular Maintenance and Troubleshooting Woodstoves, even those as clean as Catalyst, must be cleaned frequently because soot, ash, and creosote will accumulate. Please follow a routine maintenance schedule as suggested here. Glass The glass will accumulate some soot through the course of regular burning. More soot will accumulate during slow burns than during hotter burns. Sooting is worse with unseasoned or resinous woods. To clean the glass, the unit should be allowed to cool.
Catalytic Combustor This wood heater contains a catalytic combustor to help achieve a clean burn. It is important to periodically monitor the operation of the catalytic combustor to ensure it is properly functioning, and not clogged. A clogged or otherwise non-functioning combustor will result poor performance, smoke leakage, a loss of heating efficiency, and an increase in creosote and emissions. Your catalytic combustor should be visually inspected at least monthly to check its condition.
Monthly Maintenance Creosote When wood is burned slowly, it produces tar and other organic vapors, which combine with expelled moisture to form creosote. The creosote vapors condense in the relatively cool chimney flue of a slow-burning fire. As a result, creosote residue accumulates on the flue lining. When ignited, this creosote makes an extremely hot fire.
Annual Maintenance Exterior Paint To fix areas on the exterior of the stove that have been scratched or dinged, simply use aerosol stove paint. Color match paint can be ordered directly from MF Fire. Simply email us at info@mffire.com and tell us the color you need, and we will ship it right out to you. Paint should only ever be applied with the stove is cool. Allow the paint at least one hour to cool. After applying the paint, the newly painted area may appear darker than original until it is cured.
Catalytic Combustor Replacement If you suspect that your catalytic combustor is not working, the catalytic combustor should be removed an inspected to identify the source of the problem. CAUTION: DO NOT OPERATE THE CATALYST WOOD HEATER WITH CATALYTIC COMBUSTOR REMOVED! Back Panel Catalytic Combustor Panel To access the catalytic combustor, first remove the back panel of the stove, then remove the catalytic combustor panel.
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Lifetime Limited Warranty Your Catalyst is automatically registered for MF Fire’s lifetime limited warranty with purchase. All portions of the stove are subject to the warranty, excluding paint, gasket, glass, fasteners, catalytic combustor, fans, and electronic control board and housing. The catalytic combustor, fans and electronic control board and housing are subject to a 5-year limited warranty also subject to sections A. and B. below.
5. Damage to the appliance while it is in transit is not covered by this warranty, but is subject to a claim against the carrier. 6. The warranty, as outlined within this document, does not apply to the chimney components or other accessories used in conjunction with the installation or use of the stove. 7. MF Fire is not responsible for inadequate performance caused by environmental conditions. 8.
