Looking for a new stove

My understanding is that they run in parallel. There's the secondary reburn baffle system that works in conjunction with the catalyst. I haven't seen a stove advertised where it is recommended to strictly bypass a catalyst. That seems contrary to the intended design.
I do know two people in my periphery who on separate occasions with the same dismissive wave of a hand saying that they don't bother with the catalyst. Didn't make any sense to me and left me basically speechless.

 

I agree. A hybrid is a cat stove. When using one you must use the cat. It’s not either or. There is/was a VC product that was either or but as with all VC products, it sucked.

If the other option is freezing to death, I’ll run my cat stove with a missing cat. Just pull it out. Leaving the bypass open while burning will permanently damage the stove with BK’s design.

 

You just described an Ideal Steel.

I'd order it today if I was you!

 

I wish the ideal steel was available in side load as well as front load. At least I don’t think it’s available as a side loader.

 

With the progress hybrid we can leave the bypass open longer and close the air down if we want to let it get warmer before we shut the bypass.

 

not available as a side load.

 

They’ve gotten more expensive but it’s pretty close.

People with good noncats like PE products claim to have no problem making it overnight with plenty of coals for the morning load.

 

That would be the Progress Hybrid.
I might look into a PH in a couple years. Love the soapstone/cast iron look!

 

I had the PE Summit that couldn't do it for me so I sold it.

 

So in my marketplace travels this morning I discovered a Regency F-3500 for sale 20 min from my house. Used in good shape for $750. Ad states they used it for 1 year. I see they sell roughly for $2500 new. Any opinions on this stove? Things to look out for buying a used cat stove?

 

I hear good things about those...just make sure it doesn't looked completely roached inside...that's a decent price though...not sure how much the cats are for those if you need a new one...

 

For sure worth checking out.

 

We have the Drolet Blackcomb. Usually have a nice bed of coals in the morning, especially with a load of good oak.

 

Vermont Castings “Flexburn” I believe is what you were referring to and I believe they’re still made.

I heard at one time they had some real “control” issues, or should I say lack of control issues resulting in runaway stoves. Who knows if they got it worked out or not. I hope so. Good looking stoves. Not a fan of down draft units though and you are correct…they claim you can remove the catalyst and just run the secondary…if behind the refractory isn’t clogged up with ash…the achilles heal of downdraft designs.

 

What good is a catalyst if they place it in the stove breech? All the heat still goes up the chimney. Seems that emissions was their primary concern, not heat production or they’d have moved that catalyst forward somehow.

Don’t take that wrong. I believe they’re a well made stove with a much improved reputation over the last decade, and I like that particular stove in the Pro-Series which has catalyst, I’m just not fond of where they placed it.