Cat question

[Locust Post]

There may be posts on this but I have not poured through them. I am seroiusly thinking of pulling the trigger on a new Buck Stove but I am on the fence 94 non cat or 91 cat. My question is not which one but what is the average life expectancy of a cat. I always burn good quality wood (4 years ahead at least). I'm sure there are variables, I am just looking for some averages and input.

 

[Ablaze Tech]

This link should help.http://www.woodstovecombustors.com/replacement.html

 

[jeff_t]

From what I've read, the average life expectancy is expressed in XX,000 hours (I don't remember the figure), which equates to 6-8 years around here. That's burning it like you should. If you are exceptionally nice to it, it could last longer. Burn crappy, wet wood, and you'll replace it sooner.

 

[rideau]

ALso, depends on whether it is ceramic or steel. Ceramic will not withstand overfires or much direct impingement from flame. Well treated. ceramic will last five years or so. Stainless may last up to 10 perhaps. A lot depends on how you burn.
Cats come from the manufacturer with a warranty, which is generally about five years. SOmetimes it is full replacement the first three years, then prorated. Anyway, you can count on 5 years if you are trying to determine costs.

 

[Locust Post]

This link should help.http://www.woodstovecombustors.com/replacement.html

Thanks A T....I actually found that comapny online but was just looking at cost of a cat. That shows about 2.5 years for my area but other things I have seen say 6-8. That is why I posted, to get some feed back from guys that have been down that road.

 

[rideau]

Probably depends a bit on the stove too. Don't know what stove you are considering. But, really, 5 years is good to go with for estimating maintenance cost, because they are warranteed that long.

 

[Woody Stover]

I replaced the cat in the Buck 91 this year. Had four or five seasons on it but I don't know how the previous owner treated it...

 

[mellow]

The 91 has a cat that has to be replaced every 4-6 years round about, the 94 has 2 baffle boards that will need to be replaced around the same time frames, depending on how it is treated.

$70 for the baffle boards or $130 for a cat

 

[ohlongarm]

There may be posts on this but I have not poured through them. I am seroiusly thinking of pulling the trigger on a new Buck Stove but I am on the fence 94 non cat or 91 cat. My question is not which one but what is the average life expectancy of a cat. I always burn good quality wood (4 years ahead at least). I'm sure there are variables, I am just looking for some averages and input.

LP,not trying to sway you in any way but the Buck 94 is a total piece of chit, I had one all of 2 weeks in 2011,absolutely could not get an honest 6 hour burn out of it,it was difficult to feel heat at a distance of 3 feet from the stove. I like you have primo wood ,although I lost my arse when I traded it in,it was all for the better.I'm on my fifth stove since 2004 and it was the worst,although it looks like a beast it performed like a gnat. It's your money but for what you'll pay there are better stoves. Just trying to help a fellow woodburner.

 

[mellow]

Wonder if Buck just slapped tubes and a baffle in the 91 and changed it to a 94 without much development going into it.

I have yet to see an honest bad review of the 91.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Seems I remember a fellow up in the Yukon who had over 10 years on his catalyst. That was a few years ago and I haven't heard from him lately so don't know if he changed it or not.

 

[Locust Post]

LP,not trying to sway you in any way but the Buck 94 is a total piece of chit, I had one all of 2 weeks in 2011,absolutely could not get an honest 6 hour burn out of it,it was difficult to feel heat at a distance of 3 feet from the stove. I like you have primo wood ,although I lost my arse when I traded it in,it was all for the better.I'm on my fifth stove since 2004 and it was the worst,although it looks like a beast it performed like a gnat. It's your money but for what you'll pay there are better stoves. Just trying to help a fellow woodburner.

Thanks Longarm,
I took a good look at them this afternoon and am leaning more toward the 91 cat. I read a review that said the same thing as you just did about the 94. I have not found any negative comments about the 91 yet. This is a very hard move all the way around for me because my old stove is still doing a good job but I have concerns with it and it is just time to get something nicer. Forseeably this may be my last stove purchase so I want to do the right thing.

edit: just looked at the review and it just may be yours...looks like it came from your neck of the woods.

 

[ohlongarm]

Thanks Longarm,
I took a good look at them this afternoon and am leaning more toward the 91 cat. I read a review that said the same thing as you just did about the 94. I have not found any negative comments about the 91 yet. This is a very hard move all the way around for me because my old stove is still doing a good job but I have concerns with it and it is just time to get something nicer. Forseeably this may be my last stove purchase so I want to do the right thing.

edit: just looked at the review and it just may be yours...looks like it came from your neck of the woods.

Probably was I'd hate to see someone go through what I did,although the people at Buck were nice they didn.t have a clue about their products.Also the stove has no depth in it so ashes are like right there when you open it. Good luck I hope you make the right choice.PS the 94nc ate more wood in 24 hours than my BK did in 5 days comparable 24/7 burns.

 

[WoodpileOCD]

I'll add my 2 cents worth here. I bought a used 91 in Dec. '11 and have a good solid year and a half on it now. I don't really know how many years or how much use it had before me but it certainly didn't look new and for my calculations I assume a few years. Never done anything to the cat except brush it out one time. It takes right off every time and heads north of 1500 degrees every time unless I only put a few splits in it.

I don't know about the inside space on a 94 but don't believe what you read about a 4+ cu. ft. box. More like 3 usable. It is very deep and very wide but not that tall because of the flame impingement plate hanging down.

Not that popular of a stove around here numbers wise but I love mine and as someone else said I haven't seen any bad feedback on it by other owners here.

Be sure to keep us updated on what you end up with.

 

[Locust Post]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I am pretty darn sure we are going with the 91. I may purchase it soon but likely won't install until the end of the burn season. BUT I may certainly have questions in the fall.