2 New BIG Hybrid CAT stoves

[MovingOffGrid]

I did a fast search to see if anything on these new stoves has been discussed here yet, but nothing came up so ......

I stopped by my local wood stove dealer early Sept and noticed a NEW MONSTER CAT hybrid stove (eco boost they call it), in the show room I hadn't seen before.

Very nice looking BIG CAT stoves that claim super long burn times similar to Blaze King, but this offering has an air tube + the cat (eco-boost), so it looks to be using 2 methods to create strong secondary burn.

While I am very tempted by claims of 30+ hours burn time (my Summit gets 10 hours overnight max burn/glow time with hardwood), has anyone bought one of these yet, and if so, how is it performing?

The largest offering looked HUGE (4.42 cu.ft. capacity) along side a PE Summit in the showroom (My PE Summit has 3 cu.ft capacity and used to look big). These new stoves seem to be aimed to give Blaze King a run for the money.

2 New CAT/Hybrid Stoves:

6" flue - F3500
http://www.regency-fire.com/Products/Wood/Wood-Stoves/F3500.aspx

8" flue - F5100- Firebox Capacity4.42 cu. ft.
http://www.regency-fire.com/Products/Wood/Wood-Stoves/F5100.aspx

I am really tempted, but like other CAT stoves, these are pricey (appx $3500 for the big one) and I'm not sure if they would suck as well as my forgiving PE Summit, on my 6x10 tile chimney.

6 year warranty on the Catalytic Converter - not sure the cost on replacement.

Anyone taken the plunge yet and/or have some feedback?

 

[bholler]

Never burnt one but installing a 5100 next week.

 

[BrotherBart]

Been talking about the F5100 for close to a year here.

 

[MovingOffGrid]

Been talking about the F5100 for close to a year here.

so much for my searching skills - lol

and the verdict is?

 

[MovingOffGrid]

I notice the 5100 doesn't have a thermostat like the Blaze King.

 

[bholler]

No BK to my knowledge is the only one that does. The consensus is that is it a god stove that puts out lots of heat but doesn't get the advertized burn times. No idea on durability of the cat yet.

 

[webby3650]

It doesn't get the advertised burn times. And from what I see, there is a fatal flaw in the design and placement of the catalyst. There's more than a thermostat that sets Blaze King apart from the rest. Easily gets advertised burn times, thermostat air control, proven cat design, and an unconditional 10 year warranty on the cat. I can't see any reason to choose the Regency over a Blaze King.

I didn't see any real benefit to the hybrid, sure its a little cleaner burning than an already clean burn burning stove. But its nothing the general consumer would ever notice. This comes at an additional cost, both the purchase price and the cost of parts that fail prematurely.

 

[bholler]

I dont see a fatal flaw with the cat placement and i think bk is probably a better stove but they are just not in our area at all. We have a little over 3000 customers and have never seen one here. And it does more than just clean it up you get heat off that cat to. I think it is a good stove just probably not as good as a bk

 

[MovingOffGrid]

New good looking CAT stove, BIG firebox, secondary burn air tube AND cat, but no thermostat!
I sure like the idea of a thermostat - seems odd they wouldn't have added that in.

I'll have to dig into Cat spec on each and see what the comparative CAT longevity looks like.

 

[webby3650]

I dont see a fatal flaw with the cat placement and i think bk is probably a better stove but they are just not in our area at all. We have a little over 3000 customers and have never seen one here. And it does more than just clean it up you get heat off that cat to. I think it is a good stove just probably not as good as a bk

I am saying that the cat is a good thing! When the two are combined a lot of issues arise. I don't think it has been thought out well enough. At least they aren't in the Cape Cod. The regency has some similar issues laying in wait.

 

[bholler]

I am saying that the cat is a good thing! When the two are combined a lot of issues arise. I don't think it has been thought out well enough. At least they aren't in the Cape Cod. The regency has some similar issues laying in wait.

I am curious what are the issues? Really curious not being critical or anything.

 

[aansorge]

Probably will heat like a MOFO but seems to lack the long burn times of the blaze king.

 

[webby3650]

I am curious what are the issues? Really curious not being critical or anything.

2 issues that I see just by looking at it. The flame shield is bolted in. This proved to cause trouble in the past. It takes tools just inspect and clean the cat, most often the bolts won't come out without breaking or its warped so bad it can't be put back in easily.

The other issue is the bypass operation. It opens the opposite way a BK does. This allows flames to blow right into the back of the catalyst. Not only allows it, but directs them right onto the cat. This will shorten the life if the cat. The Blaze King bypass opens toward the cat, protecting it from the flames.

The cape cod doesn't have a flame shield at all and the back of the cat is hanging out into the bypass opening. This thing doesn't have much of a chance at all. The secondary flames also rip right into the cat on the cod, a flame shield would help it a lot. It sure has a pretty fire though!

 

[webby3650]

He's a picture of mine, it shows the secondary flames pouring into the cat.

 

[BrotherBart]

The jury is defiantly out on all of the hybrids. Not enough time in real world burning for any of them for us to know how the technology is gonna stand up and work out.

 

[webby3650]

The jury is defiantly out on all of the hybrids. Not enough time in real world burning for any of them for us to know how the technology is gonna stand up and work out.

I know Blaze King made a few thousand of them in the early 80's, they abandoned the design in a very short time.

 

[BrotherBart]

Manufacturer's can try to fix bad burning habits with design all hey want. Nothing is gonna fix stupid burning habits. My stove is just a big steel box with some tubes in the top of it that has already busted the most stringent emissions number they can come up with without outlawing wood stoves period.

My sig says it all.

 

[Charles1981]

Sure does look good on paper. Don't know if I want to take a 3500$ plunge however yet.

 

[bholler]

Regency only used one tube and a deflector plat but i have yet to see one burning so i cant say for sure but i don't think the cat will get direct flames on it. But again without seeing one burn i cant say for sure yet

 

[webby3650]

Regency only used one tube and a deflector plat but i have yet to see one burning so i cant say for sure but i don't think the cat will get direct flames on it. But again without seeing one burn i cant say for sure yet

I think they have it covered on the front side, but neglected to protect it from behind.

 

[Tenn Dave]

I am saying that the cat is a good thing! When the two are combined a lot of issues arise. I don't think it has been thought out well enough. At least they aren't in the Cape Cod. The regency has some similar issues laying in wait.

No problems with the Woodstock Hybrid stoves.........

 

[Tenn Dave]

I know Blaze King made a few thousand of them in the early 80's, they abandoned the design in a very short time.

perhaps they should have talked to Woodstock

 

[bholler]

What do you mean from behind?

 

[hwdemers]

We have installed a few 5100s and getting reports back of 27 hour burn time.

 

[jeff_t]

What do you mean from behind?

This is the bypass open on my King. The bypass covers the cat from any possible direct flame contact. Picture the bypass pivoting on the opposite side of the opening, directing flame onto the back side of the cat. At least I think that's what webby is saying.