I have had my Blaze King Princess Insert for 4 seasons now. I have been having an issue with the CAT I believe. The first 2 years I had no visible smoke coming out of the chimney but now I have had smoke when the CAT is engaged and the CAT Temp is above the 12 o'clock position. I also have had to clean the chimney twice this winter and it had a lot of creosote in the top 5 feet of it. The chimney is a masonary chimney on the outside of the house and has a block off plate at the bottom and top. I have a stainless pipe running inside the flue and it attaches to the stove. No insulation though. I have been taking to Chris from Blaze King about it. Do I need to pull my CAT and clean it? Was thinking of buying a new steel CAT. According to Condar's website the CAT should be replaced after 4 years of 6 months of burning. Any clues as to what the issue is ? My glass stays clean all winter. I am burning wood that has been seasoned 2 years so that is not the issue. Also, I put a new door gasket on just in case and i adjusted the by pass door. Only thing left is the CAT. Thanks Pete
Blaze King Princess Insert CAT ?
- Thread starter pete97
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Has the cat been cleaned in the past year or two? Too aggressive cleaning can remove the catalytic coating. Did you ask Chris if your cat is still under warranty? He told me that they have tested cats at ten years old that were still performing reasonably well.
Have you pulled the flame shield out and looked at the gasket and the cat itself? Any cracks or crumbling of the ceramic?
If you pull the cat out, you will need to replace the gasket regardless. It is inexpensive.
http://www.firecatcombustors.com/ACIG-2-p/sku_acig-2.htm
If you pull the cat out, you will need to replace the gasket regardless. It is inexpensive.
http://www.firecatcombustors.com/ACIG-2-p/sku_acig-2.htm
Never pulled the CAT or cleaned it. Maybe I should pull it and do the vinegar and boiling it to clean it and a new gasket.
I'd look at it first. I wouldn't pull it unless absolutely necessary. Too easy to damage it. If the gasket is junk, obviously you'll have to. After four years, it may be likely.
Make sure the cells are clear and not plugged with fly ash. You can be very careful with a vacuum and soft brush, or maybe use a keyboard duster to blow them out.
When reinstalling with a new gasket, wrap it and secure with a piece of masking tape. Slide it all in, and the tape will burn off. It should slide in easily, and the gasket will swell when it gets hot to make it seal.
Make sure the cells are clear and not plugged with fly ash. You can be very careful with a vacuum and soft brush, or maybe use a keyboard duster to blow them out.
When reinstalling with a new gasket, wrap it and secure with a piece of masking tape. Slide it all in, and the tape will burn off. It should slide in easily, and the gasket will swell when it gets hot to make it seal.
If you buy a new cat it most likely will have a gasket already so check that before you buy. How did you adjust the bypass on the insert?
First thing just examine the cat in place. See if it is starting to plug with fly ash. Give it a gentle vacuuming with a brush attachment while still in place and see if that helps. If not and try the gently vinegar bath.
If you take the insert out there is a nut on the bypass door if you reach in the stove outlet that you can adjust.
I may buy a new CAT as a spare. I will try the vacuum with a brush attachment. Thanks.
I may buy a new CAT as a spare. I will try the vacuum with a brush attachment. Thanks.
I saw that nut when I installed the stove, I thought you had to pull it out but wasn't sure, thanks.
Another question... When I replaced my door gasket last year, i took the glass out so that I could clean the channel that holds the gasket real well. I reused the gasket for the glass in the door. Should I have replaced it or was it ok to reuse it? Thanks Pete
If it doesn't leak, I guess it's fine. You can put a palm on either side of the glass and see if there is any movement. I'd say to look for blackening to indicate an air leak, but it is a Blaze King
. Maybe burn an incense stick and see if it sucks the smoke in anywhere.
Going back to your original post, what's the problem? This stove is not smoke free and a slight change in wood or outside temperature could be the cause of increased smoke.
The problem sounds like an uninsulated liner is allowing the flue gases to get too cool toward the top of the chimney in this unusually cold winter. If the flue gas temp drops below about 250F it is going to start condensing on the pipe and cap.
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