Princess Cat too big

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Doc C

Minister of Fire
Jul 26, 2017
730
Bonner County Idaho
I ordered a new cat and it is ever so slightly larger then the one that was in there. There are 2 of these plates. If I remove them the new Cat will fit. Can anyone tell me if these are spacers? And is it ok to remove them? Thank you
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What size gasket are you using on the cat? It should be 1/16” interam gasket, 1/8” will not work. The piece in the picture is a bypass retainer. It keeps the bypass damper in place, it’s necessary.
 
What size gasket are you using on the cat? It should be 1/16” interam gasket, 1/8” will not work. The piece in the picture is a bypass retainer. It keeps the bypass damper in place, it’s necessary.

The Cat came with a gasket already on it. There was not a separate gasket for it.
 
Also the actual combuster is slightly larger not just the gasket. With both of these plates removed the Cat will fit but it is a very tight fit
 
You most definitely need to leave those plates in. Who did you order the replacement cat from?
 
You most definitely need to leave those plates in. Who did you order the replacement cat from?
I would have to look where it came from. But it was NOT Blaze King.

I found an old thread where BKVP stated that they used to make these stoves without these parts and that the damper could come unhinged if a person was to rough with the handle.

I almost think that this Cat size was designed for the size before these plates were added.
 
Midwest Hearth Wood Stove Catalytic Combustor Replacement Catalyst Blaze King Princess (4" x 10.6" x 2" Ceramic)
 
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Sounds like it may need to be returned. The gasket will swell when heated. That may crack the cat.
 
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Midwest Hearth Wood Stove Catalytic Combustor Replacement Catalyst Blaze King Princess (4" x 10.6" x 2" Ceramic)

That is firecats online store. A company recommended by and allegedly the oem cat manufacturer for bk. My current ceramic princess cat came from them about 2 years ago and fit perfectly with the bypass retainers in place.

Call them up. I found them to be very responsive when I emailed.
 
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They'll replace it..
 
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So they sent me another Cat.....and it’s still to big. The second one is ever so slightly longer then the first but it’s just long enough that it won’t fit even with the retainers removed.

At this point I have to run the stove to keep the house warm and I am only able to use 1 of the retainers and I also do not have a gasket on as it was destroyed in the process.

Does anyone have a different supplier? I am not going to mess around with this company anymore.
 
They'll replace it..
They did replace it...with one even a touch longer then the first one they sent me. Can I buy one straight through BK? I’m done messing around with this supplier.
 
Here is the Cat that came out of the stove and I’m pretty sure is brand new from the factory up against the second one that was sent to me.
 

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Doc...please pm me your phone number.
 
I hope it’s not too rude to say, wtf?!
 
I hope it’s not too rude to say, wtf?!

That is pretty much what I said! But with a few more words thrown in before and after that.
 
This was their solution by the way. Which doesn’t not work since you can not even get it to fit with no gaskets and both retainers in.

Right now I have no gaskets and only 1 retainer so I can at least use the stove and it would barely fit.
 

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That is firecats online store. A company recommended by and allegedly the oem cat manufacturer for bk. My current ceramic princess cat came from them about 2 years ago and fit perfectly with the bypass retainers in place.

Call them up. I found them to be very responsive when I emailed.
We need to correct this understanding. Midwest Hearth is NOT affiliated, owned or partners with Applied Ceramics. Applied Ceramics, along with other potential suppliers, sells products to Midwest Hearth, Condar etc.

Applied Ceramics online store is www.firecatcombustors.com Applied Ceramics and Clariant are the two USA manufacturers of wood stove combustors. They work with one another on substrate materials, but each have their own proprietary wash coat and precious metals application processes. There are also manufacturers of combustors located in Asia that sell to some stove manufacturers and online resellers.

Lastly, never burn a combustor in any Blaze King without the gasket. It is illegal to operate the stove other than as tested and certified.
 
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Doc, don’t look now... there’s a strange man in your kitchen.
 
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Midwest Hearth is NOT affiliated, owned or partners with Applied Ceramics. Applied Ceramics, along with other potential suppliers, sells products to Midwest Hearth, Condar etc.

Firecat sent me to midwest hearth, said it was their online store on amazon that worked better than their firecat site at actually taking orders. I suppose the point you're trying to make is that this might not be an AC cat? Midwest might sell other brands as well?

Now you have condar swearing up and down that they actually produce their cats. I thought that they were a reseller.

Point is that this guy's cat doesn't fit. This 0.2" bust is a problem for him and maybe for me when I need to replace my cat.
 
Firecat sent me to midwest hearth, said it was their online store on amazon that worked better than their firecat site at actually taking orders. I suppose the point you're trying to make is that this might not be an AC cat? Midwest might sell other brands as well?

Now you have condar swearing up and down that they actually produce their cats. I thought that they were a reseller.

Point is that this guy's cat doesn't fit. This 0.2" bust is a problem for him and maybe for me when I need to replace my cat.
I spoke with Doc early this morning. I have the brass at Applied calling him to satisfy his needs. As for Midwest, I confirmed with Applied brass this a.m. they are just a customer that buys cats. Same as Condar and other resellers.

Doc will be looked after...thanks to this site!
 
As for Midwest, I confirmed with Applied brass this a.m. they are just a customer that buys cats. Same as Condar and other resellers.

To (probably inaccurately) paraphrase something (I think) you said before, Applied makes and coats substrates. Midwest and Condar cut them to size and can ‘em. Right?
 
To (probably inaccurately) paraphrase something (I think) you said before, Applied makes and coats substrates. Midwest and Condar cut them to size and can ‘em. Right?
Yes. There could be other resellers as well.