The present application provides a method for evaluating one or more components using a non-engine based test system, the method comprising: providing a non-engine based test system comprising a combustor in fluid communication with the one or more component; supplying fuel and air to the combustor under feed conditions comprising a controlled air to fuel ratio (AFR), the feed conditions being effective to produce a feedstream flowpath; combusting at least a portion of fuel in the feedstream flowpath under combustion conditions effective to produce an exhaust gas while preventing substantial damage to the combustor; and, exposing the one or more components to the exhaust gas under alternate conditions comprising substantially any conditions other than those selected from the group consisting of accelerated aging conditions and drive cycle conditions.