Non-bypassable catalyst assisted appliances

A method comprising:

• directing along a first single flow path, when a door of a housing is disposed in a closed position covering a loading door opening, all the gas from a combustion chamber through an insulated catalyst combustor in the housing and into a flue;
• directing along a second single flow path, when the door of the housing is disposed in the open position, all of the ambient air entering the loading door opening and all of the gas from the combustion chamber through the insulated catalyst combustor and into the flue;
• and
• wherein the housing does not include a movable catalyst bypass.

A non-bypassable catalyst assisted appliance comprising:

• a housing having a combustion chamber;
• a loading door opening in said housing coverable by a door for loading fuel into said combustion chamber;
• an air inlet opening in said housing for receiving a primary air supply and a secondary air supply to said combustion chamber, and an exit opening connectable to a flue;
• a platform defining a non-movable separation in said housing between said combustion chamber and said exit opening;
• a secondary air supply manifold disposed below said platform and operable for directing the secondary air supply to said combustion chamber;
• an insulated catalyst combustor disposed in the housing between said housing and said platform;
• an automated secondary air control system for automatically regulating the amount of flow of the secondary air supply to said secondary air supply manifold operable based on the temperature of said insulated catalyst combustor;
• wherein when said door of said non-bypassable catalyst assisted appliance is disposed in a closed position covering said loading door opening, gas from said combustion chamber is exhausted and directed along a single flow path through said insulated catalyst combustor and into the flue;
• and
• wherein when said door of said non-bypassable catalyst assisted appliance is disposed in an open position allowing loading of fuel through said loading door opening to said combustion chamber, gas from said combustion chamber is inhibited from passing through said loading door opening, and ambient air entering said loading door opening and gas from said combustion chamber are exhausted and directed along a single flow path through said insulated catalyst combustor and into the flue.