We got 15 years out of the original ceramic catalytic combustor in our Blaze King Princess. It was still in perfect condition, visually. I replaced it because it no longer worked properly. The new ceramic unit allows us to slow burn a wood filling for an average of 8 to 12 hours.
02:50 12,000 hours is about 500 days (16 months) of continuous use. I installed a metal combustor in my Consolidated Dutchwest large wood stove this year, and I hope it will last longer than 12,000 hours of use. It runs at 1100F on oak with door vent 1 turn open and combustor vent open 1/2 turn. The only ceramic combustor I got to run more than 2 seasons was the one that came with the stove from the factory. The aftermarket ebay combustors all clogged and broke quickly. I used the perforated cast iron plate that came with my stove for a few years, too. Not as good as a combustor, but longer lasting.
You likely aren’t servicing them, as you should. You can clean them simply by vacuuming the holes on each side. Do it before you light the stove whenever you need to clean the ash pan or once a month idk, but thst will prolong its lifespan
Something good to know never thought about it like that been looking into wood stoves that have them now not sure what stoves have the metal ones in or the other one can you request witch one you would rather have or it is what is is on style stove you buy
I bought replacement combustors for my ashley airtight or us stove co and they were woven metal in layers compared to the original ceramic. The new combustor got clogged up quickly and didn't burn anything out of it. The woven metal in it crisscrosses each other. I paid like $200 for the pair of them years ago new and just couldn't get any use our of them. Maybe I just need to use hotter wood to activate them to burn the stuff out of them?
It is important to make sure the catalytic combustor has achieved light-off before closing the stoves bypass damper. In general, the catalytic combustors needs 500°F (260°C) focused on it for 20 to 30 minutes to achieve light-off when initially building a fire in your stove.
Didn’t know there were metal ones, but now I will order one and when it’s not working anymore I can try electroplating it myself, as I have done for other applications, thought never with palladium
Sled, Speaking from my own experience with a Blaze King stove. I noticed the combustor probe would rise into the active area when building a fire. However, when I closed the bypass and turned the damper to normal the probe would quickly fall into the inactive range. There was also a lot of smoke leaving the chimney which told me the combustor wasn’t doing it’s job. I replaced the combustor and the probe at the same time and the stove runs like new again.
Great info! Although I don't get why some catalyst are much more expensive than others. Case in point, the round ones sell for around $80 on Amazon, however the rectangular ones made for Blaze King are priced at $250+.
Beware the cheap ones. We purchased samples from Amazon, tested them, and they had no active coating. The difference in pricing between our catalysts is largely due to the production volume of each size.
We got 15 years out of the original ceramic catalytic combustor in our Blaze King Princess. It was still in perfect condition, visually. I replaced it because it no longer worked properly. The new ceramic unit allows us to slow burn a wood filling for an average of 8 to 12 hours.
02:50 12,000 hours is about 500 days (16 months) of continuous use. I installed a metal combustor in my Consolidated Dutchwest large wood stove this year, and I hope it will last longer than 12,000 hours of use. It runs at 1100F on oak with door vent 1 turn open and combustor vent open 1/2 turn. The only ceramic combustor I got to run more than 2 seasons was the one that came with the stove from the factory. The aftermarket ebay combustors all clogged and broke quickly. I used the perforated cast iron plate that came with my stove for a few years, too. Not as good as a combustor, but longer lasting.
You likely aren’t servicing them, as you should. You can clean them simply by vacuuming the holes on each side. Do it before you light the stove whenever you need to clean the ash pan or once a month idk, but thst will prolong its lifespan
Which dutchwest are you running? An FA264CCL?
Awesome explanation video. Thank you.
Something good to know never thought about it like that been looking into wood stoves that have them now not sure what stoves have the metal ones in or the other one can you request witch one you would rather have or it is what is is on style stove you buy
I bought replacement combustors for my ashley airtight or us stove co and they were woven metal in layers compared to the original ceramic. The new combustor got clogged up quickly and didn't burn anything out of it. The woven metal in it crisscrosses each other. I paid like $200 for the pair of them years ago new and just couldn't get any use our of them. Maybe I just need to use hotter wood to activate them to burn the stuff out of them?
It is important to make sure the catalytic combustor has achieved light-off before closing the stoves bypass damper. In general, the catalytic combustors needs 500°F (260°C) focused on it for 20 to 30 minutes to achieve light-off when initially building a fire in your stove.
Didn’t know there were metal ones, but now I will order one and when it’s not working anymore I can try electroplating it myself, as I have done for other applications, thought never with palladium
How is it used
Do you have one that fits the Regency Hi500 insert? It’s rectangular.
Are the active metals "coated" onto the ceramic substrate? Or, are they blended into the ceramic mix before being solidified?
Yes, the active metals are coated not mixed. The substrate first undergoes a chemical bath to provide adequate porosity to adhere the coating.
Can you please explain how to tell when your combustor is worn out
Sled, Speaking from my own experience with a Blaze King stove. I noticed the combustor probe would rise into the active area when building a fire. However, when I closed the bypass and turned the damper to normal the probe would quickly fall into the inactive range. There was also a lot of smoke leaving the chimney which told me the combustor wasn’t doing it’s job. I replaced the combustor and the probe at the same time and the stove runs like new again.
Great info! Although I don't get why some catalyst are much more expensive than others. Case in point, the round ones sell for around $80 on Amazon, however the rectangular ones made for Blaze King are priced at $250+.
Beware the cheap ones. We purchased samples from Amazon, tested them, and they had no active coating. The difference in pricing between our catalysts is largely due to the production volume of each size.
Do you guys have a 5.8" x 2" metal catalyst that might fit a Regency Fire F1500?
midwesthearth.com/collections/catalytic-combustors/products/catalytic-combustor-dutchwest-englander-6-x-2-round (This one is 5.83" diameter actual)
🙏👍❤!
Ceramic get way hotter and holds heat better.