Burn Time Definition

[ajzzara]

Hi All,
Quick and possibly stupid question. When discussing burn times, does it mean:

1) The amount of time the cat stays in the active zone.
2) The amount of time between an active cat, and being able to reload on existing coals in the stove?

Thanks in advance!

 

[stoveliker]

Lol. That's different for eachperson claiming, I'd say.

Not stupid, it goes to the core of what we talk about!

When you talk about your burn time, please specify what you mean.

I generally hold to "until the cat drops out of the active zone", but of course that's only useful for folks with a BK to compare.
Reloading without needing kindling is a more universal time.
But that might be a loooong time if you mix oak (coals) and maple (ashes burying the coals).
Usable heat is another time; the long time above won't give usable heat. But that is a very subjective measure; what's usable for me may not be enough for you. So not very useful.

(And EPA testing has the stove on a scale, they add fuel, see the weight increase, and the test ends when the weight is back to the initial weight...)

And this way the holy wars about burn times start

So not stupid, people have fought on that hill . No good answer exists.

 

[Pinesmoke]

I thought it was measured until the stove hit room temperature again.

 

[stoveliker]

Lol, then the heaviest stove would have the longest time... regardless of the fuel consumption time profile.

 

[ajzzara]

Lol. That's different for eachperson claiming, I'd say.

Not stupid, it goes to the core of what we talk about!

When you talk about your burn time, please specify what you mean.

I generally hold to "until the cat drops out of the active zone", but of course that's only useful for folks with a BK to compare.
Reloading without needing kindling is a more universal time.
But that might be a loooong time if you mix oak (coals) and maple (ashes burying the coals).
Usable heat is another time; the long time above won't give usable heat. But that is a very subjective measure; what's usable for me may not be enough for you. So not very useful.

(And EPA testing has the stove on a scale, they add fuel, see the weight increase, and the test ends when the weight is back to the initial weight...)

And this way the holy wars about burn times start

So not stupid, people have fought on that hill . No good answer exists.

I have always been good at unintentionally stirring the pot, I guess this is parfor the course.
I have a Sirocco insert. If people are seeing 12- 18hrs of active cat on this stove, I think my stove is broken 😆.

How do you other BKers measure burn time?

 

[Pinesmoke]

Lol, then the heaviest stove would have the longest time... regardless of the fuel consumption time profile.

Marketing at its finest.

 

[kennyp2339]

I have always been good at unintentionally stirring the pot, I guess this is parfor the course.
I have a Sirocco insert. If people are seeing 12- 18hrs of active cat on this stove, I think my stove is broken 😆.

How do you other BKers measure burn time?

You could have an overdraft situation, yes I understand the thermostat will control the air flow into the stove, but if your chimney is pulling higher volume the the .05" then the heat inside the fire box will get sucked up and not radiate through the stove causing the t stat to open more and have a faster burn. I had to install a damper on my freestanding unit which then added more burn time which I consider active cat.

 

[ajzzara]

You could have an overdraft situation, yes I understand the thermostat will control the air flow into the stove, but if your chimney is pulling higher volume the the .05" then the heat inside the fire box will get sucked up and not radiate through the stove causing the t stat to open more and have a faster burn. I had to install a damper on my freestanding unit which then added more burn time which I consider active cat.

I am glad you found the fix for your stove. I am not sure this is the case as my flue is right at the minimum BK requirement. 15 ft giver or take half a foot. I am actually looking to add an 18”extesntion to improve draft. Unfortunately, I just found out I have developed a fear of heights in my 40’s….. So the extension will have to wait.

 

[Highbeam]

I have always been good at unintentionally stirring the pot, I guess this is parfor the course.
I have a Sirocco insert. If people are seeing 12- 18hrs of active cat on this stove, I think my stove is broken 😆.

How do you other BKers measure burn time?

For me, active cat time. I understand people can make up whatever definition they want and I can tolerate it.

 

[Garfong]

I have always been good at unintentionally stirring the pot, I guess this is parfor the course.
I have a Sirocco insert. If people are seeing 12- 18hrs of active cat on this stove, I think my stove is broken 😆.

How do you other BKers measure burn time?

Burn times on low for mine are usually under 10 hours no matter how well I pack the firebox. If you ever figure out the secret please let me know. Everyone in my family loves the stove. It looks great, it gets hot when you need it to. I just wish it was easier to get decent burn times.

 

[ajzzara]

For me, active cat time. I understand people can make up whatever definition they want and I can tolerate itli

Burn times on low for mine are usually under 10 hours no matter how well I pack the firebox. If you ever figure out the secret please let me know. Everyone in my family loves the stove. It looks great, it gets hot when you need it to. I just wish it was easier to get decent burn times.

Stove, or insert?

 

[Garfong]

Stove, or insert?

It’s the Sirocco insert. Seems like the free standing stoves hit the advertised hours no problem but the inserts require disciplined rituals to just get half the advertised time.