Any new replacement combustor tech

[kennyp2339]

Hi all, looking to get a replacement combustor for a BK Princess, just wondering if there's anything new on the market as for durability / longevity. I am familiar with ceramic and steel combustors, just seeing if there's anything newer out there.

 

[Highbeam]

I've just seen more suppliers of cats online. Some so cheap that I worry about quality but since there is no actual standard I guess we just take our chances if you want to.

I would expect a huge amount of marketing and fanfare when new recipe is brought to market because then they could justify a higher cost per cat. It would not be a secret IMO.

Steel cats seem to be getting worse with regards to shrinkage failures.

I have am actually going on year 4 with my current ceramic cat. A record for me. Replacement ceramic from midwest is waiting on the shelf.

 

[begreen]

I have am actually going on year 4 with my current ceramic cat. A record for me. Replacement ceramic from midwest is waiting on the shelf.

A result of adding the mini-split to the home heating options combined with last winter being a mild one?

 

[Highbeam]

A result of adding the mini-split to the home heating options combined with last winter being a mild one?

A little of both but I want to give most of credit to shed wood. Wood in a shed seems to always be drier than wood stored under top covers with our wind blown constant rain and darkness. The mini split can heat my home but I use it mostly for cooling in the summer which has spoiled us.

Or maybe the cat recipe changed to one that lasts longer. We'd never know.

I definitely don't pull the cat out until it fails so we'll just see how far this cat makes it. We burned yesterday and I had no problem getting a glowing cat with 5- 4" splits.

 

[kennyp2339]

A little of both but I want to give most of credit to shed wood. Wood in a shed seems to always be drier than wood stored under top covers with our wind blown constant rain and darkness. The mini split can heat my home but I use it mostly for cooling in the summer which has spoiled us.

Or maybe the cat recipe changed to one that lasts longer. We'd never know.

I definitely don't pull the cat out until it fails so we'll just see how far this cat makes it. We burned yesterday and I had no problem getting a glowing cat with 5- 4" splits.

This will be my 3rd season on the same ceramic cat. I should be able to get the whole season out of it and I do have a replacement in my staging area, but I want to get another one just incase things get tight in the next year or two.
I also think the wood that comes out of my shed is killer, I get 2 summers of baking it under the roof before it goes in the stove, sometimes I think the wood gets to dry, I've hit a freshly split face of maple & ash and have gotten 11% readings.

 

[ratsrepus]

I've always replaced mine very two years, probably throwing $$$ away, but oh well at least I know my stoves are running efficient

 

[ratsrepus]

What grates my A$$. folks spend 5000 on a new BK what ever model, then have an issue when 5 years later the combustor need to be replaced

 

[Tron]

What grates my A$$. folks spend 5000 on a new BK what ever model, then have an issue when 5 years later the combustor need to be replaced

Probably the same people who ride around on bald tires, not realizing what's a consumable and what's not. ;-)