Cat users: describe your burn/temp cycles

[Pagey]

All the cat vs. non-cat chatter over the past few months got me wondering: how do your temp cycles flow during a burn cycle. Here's what my Endeavor 2.2 cubic foot fire box does on a full load: with the load charred and the primary air adjusted, I get about a 30 minute peak at 650 or 700F. Then it drops to around 600F for 1.5 to 2 hours. Then it will cruise at 500F for another hour or so. Then it seems to hang at 400F for 3 hours or so. Of the total 8 hour cycle, I would say that during really cold temps, I get only 3 hours of what I call "usable" heat due to my insulation/windows/layout/etc.

Does a cat stove hold the "usable" heat (say, 550F +) for more than 3 hours?

Please take a moment to describe your burn cycles on a full load in cold temps. Thanks!

 

[Pagey]

Shameless self bump, but only because I am truly curious if your peaks last longer.

 

[Troutchaser]

Sorry, Pagey, I haven't the experience to weigh in on this one. I will say that when I get the Leyden downdraft to work, your scenario sounds pretty close to what I see.

 

[Todd]

I think for an 8 hour burn my stove runs pretty similar to your temps. It will stay over 500 for 3-4 hours and slowly drop down to 250-300 at the end of 8 hours. When it's cold I do 3 loads per day and burn a little hotter, when it's warmer I let the cat do it's thing and can stretch it out to 2 loads per day.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

On a full load we can run 600+ for around 3 hours (peak near 700) and then gradually down from there. Probably 500+ for at least 5 hours.

But please take all these temperatures that everyone gives with a grain of salt. Just because one can get 500 or 600 for x amount of time does not mean you will always get that. It all goes back to the fuel. If I load up (not a full load for sure as it would be too much) the stove with soft maple I certainly will get the heat but for a much shorter period of time.

One of my favorites is to load with mostly soft maple and maybe one ash, with the stove loaded maybe 2/3 full. That will give us 500 degree heat for many hours. Don't put the ash in and then maybe 450-500 for a shorter period. Then there are those 35 degree days when just a couple soft maple or elm will give us 400-450 degrees.

 

[Pagey]

Thanks so much for the insight, guys. I know there are a ton of variables to take into account, but I'm more than happy with gross generalizations in this thread!

 

[SolarAndWood]

When its cold, I run 12 hour cycles on 50-100 lbs of wood depending on how much heat I want. It runs hot for 8 hours with the thermostat and then I run it with the air wide open for the last 4 hours before reloading. The cat thermometer never goes below half way whatever that means. If we were getting any solar gain with these highs in the 30s, I would go to a 24 hour cycle.

 

[BrowningBAR]

On a full load we can run 600+ for around 3 hours (peak near 700) and then gradually down from there. Probably 500+ for at least 5 hours.

That makes me very excited for next winter.

 

[Pagey]

I would love to be able to get more time in the 600F to 500F range. It must be my layout/insulation/windows/something, because even though I can hold 400F for a long time, it just will NOT heat this house in really cold temps.

 

[Todd]

I would love to be able to get more time in the 600F to 500F range. It must be my layout/insulation/windows/something, because even though I can hold 400F for a long time, it just will NOT heat this house in really cold temps.

Firewood?

 

[Pagey]

I would love to be able to get more time in the 600F to 500F range. It must be my layout/insulation/windows/something, because even though I can hold 400F for a long time, it just will NOT heat this house in really cold temps.

Firewood?

I'm burning well seasoned red oak, white oak, and tight bark hickory. I have no problems with starting or maintaining a fire. I have no problems with secondaries. I have a clean flue. So I honestly don't think I can lay it on the wood. I think it's mostly insulation and windows. My attic has very thin rolled insulation.

 

[weatherguy]

I load mine up and let it burn for 5-6 hours at whatever I set the tstat. The BK doesnt have numbers on the thermometer so not sure what the temp is b ut thats a higher setting putting out good heat. The tstat really keeps it consistent, after 5-6 hours I rake up the wood thats left and turn the tstat up for another 2 hours. I easily get overnight bhurns with a lower setting but I dont turn it way down, I leave it at what I would call med-low and it gives out decent heat for 7-8 hours with a good load. I do 3 loads a day in cold weather.