Advice / Review need: Regency CI2600 fireplace insert risky & costly?

[i got wood]

The cat can be burning, but may not be hot enough to glow. If you look at your stack in the first few hours (when there's plenty of un-burned wood) and there's no smoke, the cat is burning, even though it may not be glowing. Later in the burn, when there's not a lot of smoke coming off the coaling load, the cat can still be over 500 and burning, but not enough for it to glow.

I agree with you woody, seems like people worry about it smoldering but that's the type of stove it is, it aint our grand pa^s wwod stove

 

[msjones2452]

I have a question, maybe two, for those of you that are having luck with the CI2600. The Hampton HI400 (the Hampton version of the CI2600) was by far my first choice of inserts when I started looking several months ago. After reading about the plethora of problems that others have encountered and doing some research on cat stoves, I steered away from the Hampton. My concern with cat stoves is that they seem to be designed more for someone to use as a primary heat source. While we plan to use a new insert considerably more than our open masonry fireplace, I'm not sure we would use it as a primary heat source. Currently we mostly use our fireplace only when it isn't too cold outside and mainly just to enjoy an evening with the wife and a good glass of wine. I know most of that would change with an insert, first of all we would actually put some heat BACK into the house instead of the neighborhood. Second, we would like to be able to use it as a secondary heat source. I just don't think we have the lifestyle to tend to a full time wood burning heat source.

So, question one: How "traditional, enjoy a glass of wine with the wife" wood burning fireplace feel does this insert provide? Sorry if that's a weird question but I didn't know really how to word it! The way I understand it is that this type of insert is designed more for a slow/smoldering fire than a rolling/open flame fire.

Second, do you feel that this insert is more designed as a primary/full time heat source or would it be a viable option for someone that used it more sparingly? It seems like cat stoves are a little more "involved" to get to a sit back and enjoy the fire than a non-cat stove. I don't mind being a little more "hands on". That's the one thing I actually enjoy about my current fireplace, the tending to the fire part. It just sounds like these are a little too finicky and involved to be a secondary/part time insert.

I guess what I'm trying to ask is: Do you think a hybrid insert or a non-cat insert would be a better choice for someone that doesn't plan on burning full time?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[Wolves1]

I have a question, maybe two, for those of you that are having luck with the CI2600. The Hampton HI400 (the Hampton version of the CI2600) was by far my first choice of inserts when I started looking several months ago. After reading about the plethora of problems that others have encountered and doing some research on cat stoves, I steered away from the Hampton. My concern with cat stoves is that they seem to be designed more for someone to use as a primary heat source. While we plan to use a new insert considerably more than our open masonry fireplace, I'm not sure we would use it as a primary heat source. Currently we mostly use our fireplace only when it isn't too cold outside and mainly just to enjoy an evening with the wife and a good glass of wine. I know most of that would change with an insert, first of all we would actually put some heat BACK into the house instead of the neighborhood. Second, we would like to be able to use it as a secondary heat source. I just don't think we have the lifestyle to tend to a full time wood burning heat source.

So, question one: How "traditional, enjoy a glass of wine with the wife" wood burning fireplace feel does this insert provide? Sorry if that's a weird question but I didn't know really how to word it! The way I understand it is that this type of insert is designed more for a slow/smoldering fire than a rolling/open flame fire.

Second, do you feel that this insert is more designed as a primary/full time heat source or would it be a viable option for someone that used it more sparingly? It seems like cat stoves are a little more "involved" to get to a sit back and enjoy the fire than a non-cat stove. I don't mind being a little more "hands on". That's the one thing I actually enjoy about my current fireplace, the tending to the fire part. It just sounds like these are a little too finicky and involved to be a secondary/part time insert.

I guess what I'm trying to ask is: Do you think a hybrid insert or a non-cat insert would be a better choice for someone that doesn't plan on burning full time?

Thanks,

Matt

The answer to question number one its a beautiful stove to have a glass of wine with your wife in front of it, it has a very large viewing area compared to all the stoves.most of the time my wife is in front of it anytime she's in the living room with me or without me. Answer to question two it is alittle more work than the non-cat stove but it is worth it, whether you use it or don't use it as a primary heat source it really doesn't matter. I do have a feeling though once your wife starts feeling the heat from the stove you may be burning a little more often, last year I ran out of wood and was using our central heating and my wife would say it's not the same heat I deafly prefer the wood. A non-cat stove is definitely easier but the stove is too beautiful not to put up with a little extra work, that's just my opinion I do love to burn.

 

[msjones2452]

The answer to question number one its a beautiful stove to have a glass of wine with your wife in front of it, it has a very large viewing area compared to all the stoves.most of the time my wife is in front of it anytime she's in the living room with me or without me. Answer to question two it is alittle more work than the non-cat stove but it is worth it, whether you use it or don't use it as a primary heat source it really doesn't matter. I do have a feeling though once your wife starts feeling the heat from the stove you may be burning a little more often, last year I ran out of wood and was using our central heating and my wife would say it's not the same heat I deafly prefer the wood. A non-cat stove is definitely easier but the stove is too beautiful not to put up with a little extra work, that's just my opinion I do love to burn.

Thanks Wolves, I've been following this thread pretty closely for a while. I had all but bought the HI400 but I had several reservations due to all of the problems others have had. I keep coming back to it as it was definitely my first choice. My wife and I are still trying to make up our mind. I never realized picking out an insert would be so difficult.

Thanks again for all the info and please keep posting your success' and difficulties. Also any videos you've got would be appreciated.

Matt

 

[msjones2452]

Hey Wolves, I have a question for you. How long does the battery last on your digital cayalytic temperature probe? I was looking at the one from Condar for $119.00 that has the optional AC power adaptor for $16.95. With shipping that makes the total cost pretty pricey. I can get one through Regency from my dealer for $135.00 but it does not have an option for AC adaptor - it's 9V only. For some reason I tend to have bad luck with batteries that's why I was looking at the AC option.

Also, I have access to a lot of FREE lodge pole pine. I know it's not the best for heat but it's FREE Have you burned any softwoods in your stove? Would there be any issues running that stuff through the catalyst that you know of? I have access to "seasoned" hardwoods also but that'll take a while to......well......season! That and it's not free. I was going to start buying the hardwood this spring/summer/fall here and there so that I can get it ready for (hopefully) this time next year.

Thanks!

 

[Wolves1]

Thanks Wolves, I've been following this thread pretty closely for a while. I had all but bought the HI400 but I had several reservations due to all of the problems others have had. I keep coming back to it as it was definitely my first choice. My wife and I are still trying to make up our mind. I

Hey Wolves, I have a question for you. How long does the battery last on your digital cayalytic temperature probe? I was looking at the one from Condar for $119.00 that has the optional AC power adaptor for $16.95. With shipping that makes the total cost pretty pricey. I can get one through Regency from my dealer for $135.00 but it does not have an option for AC adaptor - it's 9V only. For some reason I tend to have bad luck with batteries that's why I was looking at the AC option.

Also, I have access to a lot of FREE lodge pole pine. I know it's not the best for heat but it's FREE Have you burned any softwoods in your stove? Would there be any issues running that stuff through the catalyst that you know of? I have access to "seasoned" hardwoods also but that'll take a while to......well......season! That and it's not free. I was going to start buying the hardwood this spring/summer/fall here and there so that I can get it ready for (hopefully) this time next year.

Thanks!

If you can get one with AC power go for it the battery last about 2 to 3 weeks. As far as the wood I don't think burning soft woods is a problem there are places that all they have to burn is pine.

 

[Wolves1]

Thanks Wolves, I've been following this thread pretty closely for a while. I had all but bought the HI400 but I had several reservations due to all of the problems others have had. I keep coming back to it as it was definitely my first choice. My wife and I are still trying to make up our mind. I never realized picking out an insert would be so difficult.

Thanks again for all the info and please keep posting your success' and difficulties. Also any videos you've got would be appreciated.

Matt

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This is from this weekend, sorry about the bond music my wife is English and wanted a taste of her homeland.

 

[KC_Michael]

Hey Wolves, I have a question for you. How long does the battery last on your digital cayalytic temperature probe? I was looking at the one from Condar for $119.00 that has the optional AC power adaptor for $16.95. With shipping that makes the total cost pretty pricey. I can get one through Regency from my dealer for $135.00 but it does not have an option for AC adaptor - it's 9V only. For some reason I tend to have bad luck with batteries that's why I was looking at the AC option.

Regency sells the Condar digital cat. thermometer I don't believe there is any difference between the two. I have a few other observations.
1) 1/4" hole (as specified in CI2600 instructions) is not large enough for the probe. Have some slightly larger drill bits available prior to undertaking the install;
2) I used some monel seizing wire to hold the probe into position (don't know if it's necessary, I just wanted to avoid any chance of the probe sliding down too far);
3) Battery life of thermometer seems somewhat short (around 2-3 weeks of fairly active burning). My guess is that once I learn the nuances of this insert, I won't be turning on the thermometer so often and battery will last longer;
4) Regency could put an outlet on the CI2600 (near the fan controls) to plug in the thermometer's AC adapter;

 

[msjones2452]

If you can get one with AC power go for it the battery last about 2 to 3 weeks. As far as the wood I don't think burning soft woods is a problem there are places that all they have to burn is pine.

Regency sells the Condar digital cat. thermometer I don't believe there is any difference between the two. I have a few other observations.
1) 1/4" hole (as specified in CI2600 instructions) is not large enough for the probe. Have some slightly larger drill bits available prior to undertaking the install;
2) I used some monel seizing wire to hold the probe into position (don't know if it's necessary, I just wanted to avoid any chance of the probe sliding down too far);
3) Battery life of thermometer seems somewhat short (around 2-3 weeks of fairly active burning). My guess is that once I learn the nuances of this insert, I won't be turning on the thermometer so often and battery will last longer;
4) Regency could put an outlet on the CI2600 (near the fan controls) to plug in the thermometer's AC adapter;

Thanks for the info and suggestions guys. I think were gonna pull the trigger on the HI400. That's the insert we were originally supposed to get then changed our mind to the Enviro Cabello, now back to the HI400. These damn voices keep confusing me

I agree with the outlet, that would be a nice touch.

Nice video Wolves, looks like a good fire.

 

[Wolves1]

After 10 hours of burning stove temp 550. House still toasty warm with outside temp 30.

 

[Jonny006]

Haven't been here for awhile mainly because I have no complaints!
For those that asked the new stove is really working well. While I would like to see longer burn times, it is acceptable. With the temps here not really ever getting above 30 for over a month, my house has been very comfortable. The furnace will kick on in the early morning hours as the stove output dies down but a few logs and the damper open for 10mins and we are back on for the day.
If we are home, snow days etc. I can keep the entire house at 68-72 without issue. I have even seen 78 downstairs! I am pleased.
The downside is I have maybe 3 days left of wood. The 2600 "experiment" cost me valuable wood and I underestimated my usage as well. I have more wood available but with 48" of snow this year it's not readily accessible. So for now it's oil. C'mon spring!

 

[msjones2452]

Finally pulled the trigger on the Hampton HI400 w/heavy wall SS flex liner. Everything should be in sometime next week. Now just to get it installed.

 

[Wolves1]

Finally pulled the trigger on the Hampton HI400 w/heavy wall SS flex liner. Everything should be in sometime next week. Now just to get it installed.

Congratulations, just remember you have to be patient the stove gets better with time or maybe I got better with time, make sure you break in the gasket, the reduction plate helps a lot and the thermometer is very important. You need to have realistic expectations with the stove you can heat your house for 14 hours if temperatures are in the 40s if it drops into the 30s then you're probably looking at about 10 to 11 hours once you start hitting the low 20s Or lower you can heat your house for 8-6 hours but that's with a 1600sf house half the house with insulation the other half is old plaster walls, thinking of pumping insulation in one day. Please continue to post and we're here for you anytime you need help.

 

[msjones2452]

Thanks Wolves, I'm looking forward to getting things going. Of course, by the time it's ready to go it'll be too warm to really stretch it's legs. Oh well, gives me time to work out some bugs. I'm ordering the Condar thermometer next week, I've kind of gathered from this thread that it's kinda essential. I still need to talk to my dealer about the restrictor plate. If I can remember, I'll try getting some pics during the process.

(BTW, like the pup! We've got a grey/white Siberian. She's the last one left, lost two reds over the last several years.)

 

[Wolves1]

Thanks Wolves, I'm looking forward to getting things going. Of course, by the time it's ready to go it'll be too warm to really stretch it's legs. Oh well, gives me time to work out some bugs. I'm ordering the Condar thermometer next week, I've kind of gathered from this thread that it's kinda essential. I still need to talk to my dealer about the restrictor plate. If I can remember, I'll try getting some pics during the process.

(BTW, like the pup! We've got a grey/white Siberian. She's the last one left, lost two reds over the last several years.)

Now I can't wait till next burning season. Love to see a picture of the pup,he's a tamaskan his name is timber. I also have an Alaskan Klee Kai her name is Koda.

 

[Langbow]

Guys in the CI 2600 are all the fire blocks tight to each other in your unit. I have some gaps is that normal?

 

[Wolves1]

Guys in the CI 2600 are all the fire blocks tight to each other in your unit. I have some gaps is that normal?

Where are the gaps is it in between each block?

 

[Langbow]

In the back row (4 bricks) one has 3/4 to 1" gap. Along the sides 1/4 inch gaps and they move a lot. Likely not an issue but I can't figure out how to gain 8-9 hour to achieve burn time within the spec. Still 3-5 hours before having to add wood. How long is your CAT active. By that I mean 500 degrees to highest temp and back down to 500 degrees. To me this is an important duration as the 20-40 minutes of watching and hoping to hit CAT temp is and should not be considered burn time. The CAT is the almighty in this product and if not functioning how can it be considered part of the burn time.
Wolves in a normal day do you load your insert 2 times or 3 times a day?
To all if you are loading more than twice a day you are not achieving the burn time outlined by the product literature.
How about a roll call:
1. Yes CI 2600 performs as specified and burns up to 14 hours
2. No CI 2600 does not burn up to 14 hours.
3. Yes CI 2600 now burns up to 14 hours after modifications by the supplier, myself and regency additional products
4. No CI 2600 still does not burn up to 14 hours after modifications by supplier, myself and regency products

So where do all of you fall? I am a disappointed consumer because we are not in reach at all of 14 hours.

 

[Wolves1]

In the back row (4 bricks) one has 3/4 to 1" gap. Along the sides 1/4 inch gaps and they move a lot. Likely not an issue but I can't figure out how to gain 8-9 hour to achieve burn time within the spec. Still 3-5 hours before having to add wood. How long is your CAT active. By that I mean 500 degrees to highest temp and back down to 500 degrees. To me this is an important duration as the 20-40 minutes of watching and hoping to hit CAT temp is and should not be considered burn time. The CAT is the almighty in this product and if not functioning how can it be considered part of the burn time.
Wolves in a normal day do you load your insert 2 times or 3 times a day?
To all if you are loading more than twice a day you are not achieving the burn time outlined by the product literature.
How about a roll call:
1. Yes CI 2600 performs as specified and burns up to 14 hours
2. No CI 2600 does not burn up to 14 hours.
3. Yes CI 2600 now burns up to 14 hours after modifications by the supplier, myself and regency additional products
4. No CI 2600 still does not burn up to 14 hours after modifications by supplier, myself and regency products

So where do all of you fall? I am a disappointed consumer because we are not in reach at all of 14 hours.

Stove 5. N/S 10 pieces, Filled 7am
T. ST. LT. OT. F. AIR
8am 1250. 76. 32. L. C
9. 1100 83. 32. L. C
10. 1000. 85. 34. L. C
11. 850 84. 36. L. C
12. 650. 84. 39. L. C
1. 600. 84. 40. L. C
2. 550. 84. 40. L. C
3 550. 84. 40 L. C
4. 500. 83. 39. L. C
5. 500. 83. 37. L. C
6. 450. 82. 35. L. C
7. 350. 81. 34. L. C
8. Cool. 32. L. 1/4
This may help I made this chart to keep track, time in first column, stove temp second column, living room temperature in the third column(not that important oven was on for 2 hours that day) outside temperature fourth column, fan speed, air control. If outside temp is in the low 20s and lower I will load 3 times because my house is not fully insulated, once the stove hits 500 the house temps starts to slowly go down. I will fill at 7am with 8 to 10 pieces of wood, my wife will put about 4 pieces of wood at 3 pm then I'll fill with about 8 to 10 pieces at 9pm. If outside temps are high 20s and up will fill at 7am and then fill again at 9pm.

 

[Wolves1]

When I made that chart a

With outside temperatures in the 30 to 40 rang today the stove was able to heat my house for 14 hours and could go longer but I want to go to bed so I'm going to load the stove. The cat temp was reading 350 up to hour 13 and went to cool after hour 13 but the fan was still blowing heat.
View attachment 154336
This is what it looked like after 14 hours could easly hit 14+. I filled the stove in 1 min I had a flame.

This was that day at 9:30pm I filled the stove and that's what the coal bed looked like.

 

[Wolves1]

You can also see the bricks on the back if you like to compare the gaps.

 

[BrotherBart]

8am 1250. 76. 32. L. C

1250?

 

[Wolves1]

1250?

That's a cat thermamitor inside the stove.

 

[BrotherBart]

Ah. OK. My heart can restart now.

 

[KC_Michael]

Regency told me that if your serial number is 429001192 OR HIGHER it was shipped with the restrictor plate already installed. I added a restrictor plate and it definitely helped, but I'm still nowhere near the advertised heating times.