2013-2014 Blaze King Performance Thread(everything BK)

[BKVP]

Well done Rusty! I was expecting some reference to "Aliens"!!

 

[Quentin2]

We finally came out of a cold snap this past weekend, it warmed up to 30 deg for about three days. I was so used to running 2-2.5 on the stat, I set it and left the house came back five hours later to 88 degrees in the stove room and 80 upstairs. It was nice to play with the low settings again getting 16-20 hour burns.

I started to lose active cat temps a couple of times trying to find the sweet spot of what was too low, easy remedy though as you can just bump it a 1/4 or 1/2 and watch it come to life or maybe just roll a couple logs.

Here's pics of scrounging some beetle kill before the snow gets too deep.


Edit: it's back down to 4 degrees so the low stat funs over for now

 

[richg]

I was in a hearth shop a few days ago and saw the King, the Princess and a Chinook 30. Those stoves are built like tanks, and the firebox on the King looked big enough to crawl into. We're planning on moving within the next 18-24 months, and the new house will have a King. And 8-inch walls with spray foam, triple pane windows and six inches of spray foam in the attic. Take that, winter!

 

[Quentin2]

I was in a hearth shop a few days ago and saw the King, the Princess and a Chinook 30. Those stoves are built like tanks, and the firebox on the King looked big enough to crawl into. We're planning on moving within the next 18-24 months, and the new house will have a King. And 8-inch walls with spray foam, triple pane windows and six inches of spray foam in the attic. Take that, winter!

Where you located?

 

[richg]

Where you located?

Northwest NJ. It would surprise a lot of folks to see how cold it gets here in the winter as we actually have mountains...nothing like the Rockies or what you have in Alaska, but high enough to cause cold temps, especially in shaded valleys. Add to that summertime temps that can easily reach 100, and my wife and I want a house that is as energy-efficient as possible. We also get hurricanes from time to time and want a house that can withstand high wind loads. Sandy messed up NJ badly and we were lucky to have escaped with only a few bucks for generator gasoline. 8 inch walls filled with 3lb roofing foam, triple pane windows, steel roof with solar panels, the works.

 

[Quentin2]

That stove and that house plan should serve you very well I reckon. There was a member a few years ago in salcha alaska who built his super insulated home almost literally around the king. I'm sure it worked out well for him, I think he had one of the nicest wood sheds I've seen as well.

Some People would probably be surprised at how "moderate" our climate can be here in south central alaska. It's a big state and an even bigger difference in climate as you move around this state.

 

[NVHunter]

Does anyone with a blaze king utilize an outside air intake with there stove?

When is necessary? Is there a time when you shouldn't install it?

I'm planning on a Sirocco 30 in the summer and I'm just picking brains right now.

Thanks

 

[Comanche79p]

How long has BK made the King models?

 

[HotCoals]

How long has BK made the King models?

Not sure we had a new 1987 model before this one.
Our old one was a non cat one but they did have a cat model back then.

 

[BKVP]

Comanche79p

The first king model was made in 1977. In 1983 we build our first catalytic stove that also had secondary air tubes, a Princess 1000. The first certified clean burning stove was a king model 1101 made in 1984. There have been many models since then, all with continued refinement.

Fresh air kits generally benefit installs that are usually in tightly constructed homes. Our dealers in Alaska advise that below -35 degrees F, the fresh air kits result in complex issues. Also at -35 or greater, all stoves draft JUST FINE!

Have a Merry Christmas!

Chris

 

[eddy_currents]

Well as someone who is into using a blazeking for their 14 year I must say that I will hand over my guns without hesitation, but if you want my Blazeking you will have to pry it from my dead cold f ingers............. I know you wernt impressed with the changes I made to mine but most of you havent the experience I do, so thats fine. On a happy note do google canadiandirtbags for a account of someone saved by a blazking in -30 C weather. muddome is his wordpress blog. A blazeking does save lives, how do I get a commision.......just kidding, Im happy to do good work.

 

[sticks]

No vibration... just loud. I certainly don't have to check that they are on. I'd like it if I could dial the rheostat down a bit further. Even on low, I think it's moving too much air across my stove.

Most of the rheostats have a small screw on the side. this will adust the low end speed. Not sure of how hard it is to get to.

 

[rdust]

I tuned up the stove today.

We had weather in the mid 40's today so I took the opportunity to check out the door gasket on the stove. It failed the dollar bill test on the hinge side, top of the latch and on the bottom. I adjusted it before and didn't have much adjustment left so I ran to the stove shop and bought a new gasket. While I was there I bought a gasket for the cat since it looked like it was missing a chunk.(it wasn't ) I also pulled the pipe and adjusted the bypass plate.

With the new door gasket everything is good now except I'd like for it to be a little tighter at one spot on the bottom in the middle of the door. Everywhere else is perfect so I didn't want to tighten the latch another turn or it would be too hard to close the handle. I may pull the gasket out of the channel on that part of the door and lay a thin piece of stock in the channel to help tighten up the gasket in that spot. I also noticed the glass was a little loose so I snugged up the nuts in the door frame that hold the glass in, that snugged up the glass.

The cat has some cracks in it and some small chips but over all it looked decent. I may pick up an extra cat during the off season or if I see a good deal pop up on a new one so I have it on the shelf. This is it's 3rd season and I'm not gentle with it so I'm happy with it up to this point.


The stove is back up and going, the house temp is on the rise so it's all good!

Here are some pictures before I cleaned the cat. I should've grabbed some after pictures but forgot. I left them full size so they show a good deal of detail.

 

[rdust]

Just loaded up for the night, the cat is glowing nice and bright. Stove top was pushing 600 when the picture was taken, just turned it down to 1 1/2 from 1 3/4.

 

[jeff_t]

My cat looks about the same. Debating on whether to do anything about it before my three years is up. I wish I had a good local dealer to work with.

Where did you get the gaskets?

 

[rdust]

My cat looks about the same. Debating on whether to do anything about it before my three years is up. I wish I had a good local dealer to work with.

Where did you get the gaskets?

If I bought mine from a local dealer I may try to feel them out to see if they'd warranty it out but at this point. Currently it lights right off and seems to stay active fine so I'll continue with it for now. Even after the free replacement time I believe they're pro-rated so if I have issues I'll check into it. I've wanted to get an extra one on the shelf ever since I bought this stove, even a warrantied cat will take time to get. Being able to slide a back up cat in while I wait for a replacement sounds like a good plan.

I bought from Konieczka's , I believe that's the place you bought the parts for your sisters King. I really like them, they're pleasant to deal with and know the product.

I seen a new dealer listed in Rochester on the BK site that wasn't there last time I checked. When I called them they said they'd have to order gaskets. Well if you don't have something as simple as gaskets on hand I have to pass. They may be a new dealer though since Chris said he was in town setting up some new dealers a week or two ago. If that's the case maybe it'll just take some time to get up and going.

 

[WriteNoob]

I'm in the process of setting things up for a stove install, around next fall. The more I learn about the Blaze Kings, the more I like the idea of having one. I've got a number of years worth of Scots Pine, which is going to be my primary fuel for at least 2-3 years, and need a stove that will keep my burn times as long as possible, with the pine, so that my wife will have minimal issues to deal with, while I'm at work (8-14 hours). That said, with my info. in the signature, is a King (probably an ultra + blower) too much stove, in anyone's opinion? From what I've read, a King can be turned way down, even with a full load, and controlled to the point that it shouldn't cook us out.

What isn't in my signature is that I have a masonry chimney, in the center of the house, with about 18' heated, and about 6' outside the envelope. It should have an insulated liner, by the time I get a stove. Every local dealer I've spoken with (3, so far) that if the chimney's In good shape, I don't need to line it, but after spending a few months immersed, here, I'm thinking it may be best to just do it.

This place you've got here is addicting, by the way. This sight has taken up about 90% of my time on the web, since I decided on a wood stove. Actually reading the old posts (at least any that seem relevant to me), from the beginning. Hope to be done by the time the stove's in.

 

[HotCoals]

I'm in the process of setting things up for a stove install, around next fall. The more I learn about the Blaze Kings, the more I like the idea of having one. I've got a number of years worth of Scots Pine, which is going to be my primary fuel for at least 2-3 years, and need a stove that will keep my burn times as long as possible, with the pine, so that my wife will have minimal issues to deal with, while I'm at work (8-14 hours). That said, with my info. in the signature, is a King (probably an ultra + blower) too much stove, in anyone's opinion? From what I've read, a King can be turned way down, even with a full load, and controlled to the point that it shouldn't cook us out.

What isn't in my signature is that I have a masonry chimney, in the center of the house, with about 18' heated, and about 6' outside the envelope. It should have an insulated liner, by the time I get a stove. Every local dealer I've spoken with (3, so far) that if the chimney's In good shape, I don't need to line it, but after spending a few months immersed, here, I'm thinking it may be best to just do it.

This place you've got here is addicting, by the way. This sight has taken up about 90% of my time on the web, since I decided on a wood stove. Actually reading the old posts (at least any that seem relevant to me), from the beginning. Hope to be done by the time the stove's in.

I think you are right on track with your thoughts.
Do it up right the first time and be done with it and be happy.

Pine will out gas way faster then hardwoods and get going really hot in a stove.
A catalytic stove such as the King will be way easier to control the burn.
I burn pine now and then with great results.

 

[rdust]

I'm in the process of setting things up for a stove install, around next fall. The more I learn about the Blaze Kings, the more I like the idea of having one. I've got a number of years worth of Scots Pine, which is going to be my primary fuel for at least 2-3 years, and need a stove that will keep my burn times as long as possible, with the pine, so that my wife will have minimal issues to deal with, while I'm at work (8-14 hours). That said, with my info. in the signature, is a King (probably an ultra + blower) too much stove, in anyone's opinion? From what I've read, a King can be turned way down, even with a full load, and controlled to the point that it shouldn't cook us out.

What isn't in my signature is that I have a masonry chimney, in the center of the house, with about 18' heated, and about 6' outside the envelope. It should have an insulated liner, by the time I get a stove. Every local dealer I've spoken with (3, so far) that if the chimney's In good shape, I don't need to line it, but after spending a few months immersed, here, I'm thinking it may be best to just do it.

This place you've got here is addicting, by the way. This sight has taken up about 90% of my time on the web, since I decided on a wood stove. Actually reading the old posts (at least any that seem relevant to me), from the beginning. Hope to be done by the time the stove's in.

Sounds like you got it figured out, without a doubt use an insulated liner these stove have low flue temps when dialed down. A King with a full load of pine will probably go 12 hr or more providing good heat as long is the house is fairly tight.

I'm heating a touch less than 2k and wish I had a King so I could go 24 hrs all winter long. My flue was only 7x11 so I couldn't fit an 8" liner, my fireplace flue is right next to it which is 13x13. I'm considering taking that flue over for the stove and installing a King.(family room and living room are on opposite walls) I don't use the fireplace and the chimney really isn't in the best shape so I wouldn't be out anything.

 

[wireedm]

I mentioned earlier in this thread that I had ordered a new Princess insert. Finally received and got it installed. I may should have posted the pics here, but posted on the main board.

It definitely exceeds my expectations!

 

[aansorge]

A king won't over heat your house as they can be turned way down. Go for it!

 

[WriteNoob]

A king won't over heat your house as they can be turned way down. Go for it!

Thanks for the replies, folks. Liking everything about the King Ultra. My one wish would be for a 4+ cubic foot Sirocco. Would make it so much easier to sell it to the wife. She really liked a Sirocco 20 we looked at, locally. It was the only BK in the shop, and by quizzing the owner, I figured I'd better learn everything I could about these stoves, if I planned to own one. I think the display may have been the only one he'd ever seen, in the flesh (steel?).

But what do I know, he may have sold hundreds, and I just asked the wrong questions.
At least I'm lucky, in that I have a dealer only 15 minutes away.

 

[hack]

What is the reasoning for turning down the thermosat in increments? Is it just easier on the cat? I must admit I rarely bother with this. The stove performs perfectly no matter the procedure I choose for the day.

 

[Highbeam]

What is the reasoning for turning down the thermosat in increments? Is it just easier on the cat? I must admit I rarely bother with this. The stove performs perfectly no matter the procedure I choose for the day.

I'm the same, it goes from full throttle to my cruise setting. I landed with that procedure after much wasted time and testing confirmed that the cat temp doesn't spike and the smoke production is unchanged whether I throttle down in increments or all at once.

 

[hack]

25 hrs later after loading with pine.