anyone with experience with SmartBurn?
http://www.smartburn.com.au/
claims to increase heat output, reduce emissions etc
http://www.smartburn.com.au/
claims to increase heat output, reduce emissions etc
Smartburn anyone heard/used?
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tfdchief
Minister of Fire
Going to move this into the hearth room for more exposure. They use it in a fireplace but I can't find in their guide where it wouldn't apply to a modern stove as well........ so off to the other room.
BTW, I'm skeptical. But, I always am. With proper burning habits and appliance, this is basically a non-issue.
What concerns me is that the majority of smoke comes early in the burn and can deposit as creosote before the chimney has had a chance to heat up. At this point, I'd be surprised if the firebox were hot enough to "activate" this thing to help at this stage. That of course would be assuming it helps at all.
An actual catalyst needs X temperature to work. Assuming this releases one, I'd imagine the same to be true.
Also, if it were that simple, wouldn't it be easy enough to have a stove designed around using this stuff and just have it injected or dripped in? Seems like that would be cheaper than having a cat and more likely for many poor burners to continue using. Can't tell you how many folks I know w/ a cat stove that run the damn thing w/ the cat bypassed constantly since they screwed it up w/ poor wood and poor practices.
pen
BTW, I'm skeptical. But, I always am. With proper burning habits and appliance, this is basically a non-issue.
What concerns me is that the majority of smoke comes early in the burn and can deposit as creosote before the chimney has had a chance to heat up. At this point, I'd be surprised if the firebox were hot enough to "activate" this thing to help at this stage. That of course would be assuming it helps at all.
An actual catalyst needs X temperature to work. Assuming this releases one, I'd imagine the same to be true.
Also, if it were that simple, wouldn't it be easy enough to have a stove designed around using this stuff and just have it injected or dripped in? Seems like that would be cheaper than having a cat and more likely for many poor burners to continue using. Can't tell you how many folks I know w/ a cat stove that run the damn thing w/ the cat bypassed constantly since they screwed it up w/ poor wood and poor practices.
pen
Defiant
Vermont Castings Geek
Sounds like the old "burn a beer can" trick. But in response to the OP, haven't ever seen anybody here mention using one of the things.
webbie
Seasoned Moderator
It doesn't seem to improve your burning as much if your already using good burning practices- according the their case study
As great as CATs are that is their one shortcoming. Without proper use and maintenance they are useless. I too know people with CAT stoves that just use them in bypass which means they technically have a pre EPA stove.
tcassavaugh
Minister of Fire
Huntindog1
Minister of Fire
Pen , Good point that with out the heat in the proper range it may be worthless in the beginning of the burn cycle when most creosote is created. Points to the fact that a good top down startup is the best way to reduce emissions when starting from a cold start.
Makes you wonder tho if there is another cheap chemical if thrown in the fire interacts with the smoke to lower its re-ignition point temp. Maybe that beer can option.
At one time I used to look up old patents on peoples ideas to improve emissions. Some of the ideas are put to use in like stack scrubbers for coal electric generation plants.
Like one idea they put a high voltage electrical field in a stove as the smoke passed thru this field of like 3000 volts potential the smoke particles would become unstable and re-ignite much easier at a lower temp thus an easier secondary burn and cleaner exhaust of the stove.
Makes you wonder tho if there is another cheap chemical if thrown in the fire interacts with the smoke to lower its re-ignition point temp. Maybe that beer can option.
At one time I used to look up old patents on peoples ideas to improve emissions. Some of the ideas are put to use in like stack scrubbers for coal electric generation plants.
Like one idea they put a high voltage electrical field in a stove as the smoke passed thru this field of like 3000 volts potential the smoke particles would become unstable and re-ignite much easier at a lower temp thus an easier secondary burn and cleaner exhaust of the stove.
bluedogz
Minister of Fire
MishMouse
Minister of Fire
Looking at their website shows that SmartBurn was also a finalist in the Vesta Awards for Hearth Accessories in 2011.
Which is a plus.
Which is a plus.
That seems to good to be true and besides that if you burn good dry wood you should not have an issue anyway.
Pete
Pete
CenterTree
Minister of Fire
http://www.smartburn.net/addBasket
If ya are in the US, you will need to use a different site to order. (if you go for this gimmick that is).
According to the AUS to US dollar conversion, one item SHOULD be about $37 ....but I noticed it remains at $49 even when placed in "cart".
Who knows.
Seems waaaaaaaaay too expensive and risky.
Plus it states that you will need TWO if you have a medium to large stove.
So, is it worth $100 (plus whatever the shipping may be) for 3 months of use?
If it even works at all. I say no way!!
If ya are in the US, you will need to use a different site to order. (if you go for this gimmick that is).
According to the AUS to US dollar conversion, one item SHOULD be about $37 ....but I noticed it remains at $49 even when placed in "cart".
Who knows.
Seems waaaaaaaaay too expensive and risky.
Plus it states that you will need TWO if you have a medium to large stove.
So, is it worth $100 (plus whatever the shipping may be) for 3 months of use?
If it even works at all. I say no way!!
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