2020-21 Blaze King Performance Thread (Everything BK)

[BKVP]

I just called a contact at the OEM supplier and was advised a very large shipment is to arrive at Midwest within 2 days!

 

[ohiojoe13]

I just called a contact at the OEM supplier and was advised a very large shipment is to arrive at Midwest within 2 days!

Thanks.

 

[Highbeam]

This is not entirely correct. We test combustors all the time for an EPA Combustor Equivalency protocol. We find all sorts of variability as far as lifetime effectiveness. Some show diminished capacity at as little as 200 hours.

You may be correct for the combustors you have purchased and used but your assumption that "no brand or type" doesn't take into account others you have not purchased/tried.

Correct, I should have been more clear that none of those listed in the question are known to have a longer expected life. Even among OEM combustors you could get a lemon.

 

[MissMac]

I just called a contact at the OEM supplier and was advised a very large shipment is to arrive at Midwest within 2 days!

that is the correct catalyst for the 30 boxes, right? it is the same as cat for the princess?

 

[MissMac]

Did you find anything out?

no i didn't - nobody has chimed on to answer this one. i will order a replacement metal one, since i have experience with this type.

 

[BKVP]

OK folks, allow to post this again as it has been some time. It is a violation of Federal law (New Source Performance Standards 2015) for the manufacturer of a catalytic equipped wood heater to in any way suggest to a consumer use a combustor other than the one that the unit was tested/certified with. So, forgive me please, I cannot comment on what you should or should not purchase or install into the various catalyst equipped wood heaters.

 

[showrguy]

OK folks, allow to post this again as it has been some time. It is a violation of Federal law (New Source Performance Standards 2015) for the manufacturer of a catalytic equipped wood heater to in any way suggest to a consumer use a combustor other than the one that the unit was tested/certified with. So, forgive me please, I cannot comment on what you should or should not purchase or install into the various catalyst equipped wood heaters.

Clearly understood !!

 

[sprawlnstall]

Could you explain how we could expect a ceramic vs steel cat to perform differently? If you listed the pro and cons we could make an educated decision on our own

 

[Highbeam]

Could you explain how we could expect a ceramic vs steel cat to perform differently? If you listed the pro and cons we could make an educated decision on our own

I’ve used both types in my stove. They both work great and lasted about the same number of hours. Steel costs a lot more and clogs easier so I stay with ceramic. The alleged earlier light off for steel is not a factor in real life. Any new cat is extra active at first.

 

[Alpine1]

I’d like to try a ceramic cat, but having it sent to Italy involves a lot of handling through customs, airports, trucks... I’m not sure a ceramic can survive such a trial. A steel cat should be less prone to damage caused by careless handling... or am I missing something?

 

[showrguy]

I’d like to try a ceramic cat, but having it sent to Italy involves a lot of handling through customs, airports, trucks... I’m not sure a ceramic can survive such a trial. A steel cat should be less prone to damage caused by careless handling... or am I missing something?

The one’s I’ve got from Firecat were very well packed, I would’nt worry..

 

[Diabel]

You should be able to order one. If not, i will bring you one, once covid is done.

 

[kennyp2339]

getting closer to my first fire of the season, brought in a wheelbarrow load of uglies into the stove room, thinking I might light the stove up tomorrow night, low of 36, but the high tomorrow is only 60 here, so the house may not warm up enough during the day to maintain comfort at night.

 

[Diabel]

4 fires in the princes and 2 in the vc so far. It is to warm up after the Canadian thanksgiving weekend (yes this weekend) so, there might be a sporadic fire here and there. Unusually warm for this time of year.

 

[Alpine1]

You should be able to order one. If not, i will bring you one, once covid is done.

I’ll order one from Midwest next week (a steel one) but, at the moment, I have no idea of the shipping costs.
But you’ll be more than welcome here, even without a ceramic cat!

 

[BKVP]

The metal substrates are thinner in wall tolerances. They absolutely light off under identical conditions much faster than ceramic substrates. Keep in mind the actual mix and application of precious metals plays a significant role in light off duration as well.

90% or more of emissions are produced in the first 1-2 hours so the sooner a light off occurs, the better for the chimney system and environment. This all correlates to the moisture being boiled from the fuel load.

Conversely, ceramic based substrates are heavier and hold temperatures longer at the tail end of the run. But...is that even necessary given the emissions are virtually nil at that point.

 

[Poindexter]

As a regulated burner I put a lot of effort in cold starts, getting to clean plume in 20 minutes or less starting with a cold stove. I can do it consistently, but there was quite a learning curve. Even with the 3-5 years of experience I have I would not be anxious to try it with a slower to light off combustor.

 

[MacinJosh]

I’ve used both types in my stove. They both work great and lasted about the same number of hours. Steel costs a lot more and clogs easier so I stay with ceramic. The alleged earlier light off for steel is not a factor in real life. Any new cat is extra active at first.

I know this has been answered before but I forget, the BK’s come with ceramic cats, correct? That’s the OEM?

 

[Alpine1]

My Ashford had a steel cat OEM. I think the King and the Princess both have ceramics OEM, but I could be wrong.

 

[Highbeam]

I know this has been answered before but I forget, the BK’s come with ceramic cats, correct? That’s the OEM?

My princess came with ceramic.

 

[huauqui]

My Princess came with a ceramic as well.

 

[Diabel]

So did my Princess. I am very happy with the ceramic cat. Some years ago i bought a steel cat for my VC, it was horrible it bent out of shape within weeks. I am told it was one of the first ones “diesel foil” type. I will stick with ceramic

 

[kennyp2339]

Still no fire here lol, maybe Monday evening, rain Monday & Tuesday with low in the mid to upper 40's perfect fire weather and soup weather.

 

[vwmike]

Just had my 3rd fire so far this season in the princess. It’s been sunny and warm here so far this fall. I didn’t get my stove installed till late in the season last year, most of my good wood had already been burned and it was all cut long at 18+” for my summit. This year every thing is 16” and I built a solar kiln so it’s near perfect.
I’m so impressed by this stove, off a partial load on a cold stove 12 hrs later the house is cozy at 71, the box is dark and still a 1/4 full, thermostat right at bottom end of normal. Strangely looking forward to winter

 

[kennyp2339]

I just ran the brush through the chimney (cleaned it at the end of the season last year to) and checked my gaskets with the dollar bill test, by-pass gasket has only been adjusted once since owning the stove, still holding strong to.
I'm thinking of a fire tonight, if not def tomorrow with the rain coming, kind of excited to get the stove going for the season.