I don't like it. Just like Jeff T I have a corner install and never LOOK to see what number it's on but just like my Ford truck guages that just have L to H, or C to H instead of an actual temperature, pressure, or amp number it just seems like they cheaped out or took for granted I couldn't grasp what the numbers mean anyway.
2014-2015 Blaze King Performance thread (Everything BK)#2
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Everyone does need to find the setting that works best for them. Why is that a problem?Not really, you inform that user to stop reading the internet forums and find the setting that works best for their stove. Now users are just going to compare I have it at 3 o'clock or 6 o'clock just like we do with the cat probe that has no numbers.
Doesn't really matter though mine has numbers and letters.I found them very helpful when I started burning this stove 4 seasons ago. It was very easy for me to explain to my wife how to operate the stove using the numbers or letters as a guide.
This is just different, it's a non-event.
I can only think of 1 other manufacturer that uses actual numbers on the air control rather than a range. And that's only for their own reference during the EPA test, not for the end consumers convenience. This is a tiny thing, it's just a freakin sticker!
Ashful
Minister of Fire
First... gotta acknowledge this thread just passed the 1000 post count.
Second... name the other manufacturers advertising 30 and 40 hour burn times. Comparing this to other stoves, without similar automatic thermostats, is not justified. This is not a hard-linked air control.
The regency 5100 claims to get 40 hours or so. Realistically it's getting 12 hours like other stoves! That's the closest runner up!
I'm fine without the numbers, just use dots like the Princess insert than. I feel I'm a pretty typical user and as a newbie with this stove I found the range/numbers/letters very helpful. When I had my Lopi I had to say things to the wife like "pull the air control out until the second coil on the end of the handle is even with the edge of the ash lip while looking down." Yep, that's a lot easier than saying "put it on the n on normal". IIRC the WS IS has engraved markings on the ash lip, that looks pretty helpful too.
They obviously used the numbered labels for years, my stove was a 2006 build and has them. It seems odd that this is just starting to be a problem now. Sometimes it's better to educate the users of a product instead of getting rid of something that is helpful to people just to avoid some phone calls. The only people who are comparing are people on the internet, it's not like people know enough people in their real life that own BK stoves to compare their "numbers".
As I said earlier either way it's a non issue for me, my stove has numbers so myself and family members can continue to drive by numbers.
BKVP
Minister of Fire
Actually, they hate doing our low burn because they have to have more than 2 attendants to monitor the low runs!!
BKVP
Minister of Fire
I'm fine without the numbers, just use dots like the Princess insert than. I feel I'm a pretty typical user and as a newbie with this stove I found the range/numbers/letters very helpful. When I had my Lopi I had to say things to the wife like "pull the air control out until the second coil on the end of the handle is even with the edge of the ash lip while looking down." Yep, that's a lot easier than saying "put it on the n on normal". IIRC the WS IS has engraved markings on the ash lip, that looks pretty helpful too.
They obviously used the numbered labels for years, my stove was a 2006 build and has them. It seems odd that this is just starting to be a problem now. Sometimes it's better to educate the users of a product instead of getting rid of something that is helpful to people just to avoid some phone calls. The only people who are comparing are people on the internet, it's not like people know enough people in their real life that own BK stoves to compare their "numbers".
As I said earlier either way it's a non issue for me, my stove has numbers so myself and family members can continue to drive by numbers.
When we reference the issues people have, we never go by the numbers or the dots between the numbers. We speak in terms of satisfaction, burn times, amount of flame etc. 90% plus of the dozens of weekly callers always say "when I run it pointed at 3 o'clock..." Few if any ever reference the numbers or dots. Here's how a typical call starts out..."Hello, there is something wrong with my Princess. It gets 20+ hour burns on low but another guy on Hearth.com sees flame when his thermostat is pointing at 2 and one dot and mine has to be on 3 to see any flame." Then we get to take 30 minutes to explain the difference the chimney makes, the moisture level in fuel, density of the fuel species, loading variability, amount of ash and how close the fuel load is to the cat and the list goes on.
Don't get me wrong, it's actually rewarding to help people....WHEN THEY ACTUALLY NEED IT. Keep in mind there are VASTLY more readers than contributors on this site and when someone reads here what another person writes, they take it as 100% gospel.
Thank you all for the comments....
BKVP
Minister of Fire
Dieselhead
Minister of Fire
I have an alcove install so I can't see my sticker. I judge it by what angle it is at. Therefore I will sell my sticker to the highest bidder let's start at $20
Sushiyummy
Member
craigbaill
New Member
I seldom use the sticker on the side because it is tough to see. I turn the t-stat down slowly till I hear the "click" of the thermostat closing then bump it back up a hair.
works every time....
works every time....
Ashful
Minister of Fire
Your T'stat must be different than the one I have seen apart. The Ashford has a rotating rod, with a butterfly damper attached via bimetallic type coil spring (looks like a continuous style clock spring). Spring heats, damper rotates closed. Spring cools, damper rotates open. There's nothing to trip or click, unless you're actually hearing the damper hit the stop when it closes (exceedingly quiet, I think).
Sushiyummy
Member
You can easily hear the damper/butterfly click when it closes. When I'm burning I burn it similar to Craig, I turn it down until I hear it "click" that's when the lights go out.(flames)
Ashful
Minister of Fire
Interesting. I've held one in my hand, and heated it with a lighter to watch it work. You can see it rotate with heat, and I wouldn't think it would close quickly enough or with enough force, to make any sounds. You learn things here...
I think my new Ashfords are in! Haven't heard from the stove shop, yet, but last week they told me they'd have them arriving in a day or two.
update: They're in! Delivery scheduled in four weeks.
I think my new Ashfords are in! Haven't heard from the stove shop, yet, but last week they told me they'd have them arriving in a day or two.
update: They're in! Delivery scheduled in four weeks.
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BKVP
Minister of Fire
kennyp2339
Minister of Fire
My 1st full season with the princess, I love this stove but I'm thinking that my cat might be getting tired already, I'm currently burning a half load of oak splits about 18% moisture with 2 red stone Fire bricks, I loaded the stove up about 2 hours ago, it heated up quickly as usual, I engaged the cat and backed the air setting down to 1&3/4, I still have visible smoke coming out my chimney, my cat thermometer is ready about twelve o'clock... Any thoughts? The cat itself is faintly glowing, I would say brighter on the sides
Sounds normal. Every load of wood will respond differently. You will see some smoke at different times throughout the burn. Also the catalyst is overly active at first, then after a while it settles down and will be much more predictable.
As Webby said, the cat will be over active at first then settle down . Mine usually smokes a little for the first couple hours of a new load now. When the cat was new I could check in on it and catch it glowing red anytime during the first few hours of a new load. Now it stays dull for the most part unless I really crank it up. I think I liked it better when it was over active,
As we deal with warmer weather the draft is going to change which will change how the stove/cat act. I'm finishing up with my 4th season and while I don't think the cat is as good as it was when it was new it still lights off good and stays active for most of the burn. When I load for 24 hours I usually load at night, in the morning I'll turn up the t-stat to get the cat nice and hot again then turn it back down. I didn't have to do that when the cat was new but it's working out. I'll probably try that vinegar bath after this season if the cat doesn't fall apart when I pull it out of the stove.
BKVP
Minister of Fire
Just pet in nicely! Oh and make sure you have combustor gasket on hand prior to removing it.As we deal with warmer weather the draft is going to change which will change how the stove/cat act. I'm finishing up with my 4th season and while I don't think the cat is as good as it was when it was new it still lights off good and stays active for most of the burn. When I load for 24 hours I usually load at night, in the morning I'll turn up the t-stat to get the cat nice and hot again then turn it back down. I didn't have to do that when the cat was new but it's working out. I'll probably try that vinegar bath after this season if the cat doesn't fall apart when I pull it out of the stove.
The problem is that there no longer a "setting" to find. I always always set the stat dial to a specific setting indicated on the sticker for repeatable dependable results. Sure, a guy could make new marks but that would be a hack compared to the numbered label. At least keep the gold normal range. The way these stoves burn is set it and forget it, this is great but you need settings.
Somebody ought to go to the house of the bk guy(or gal) that came up with this idea and replace his oven temperature control with an unlabeled scale like that. See how they like cooking bread, cookies, or turkeys. It's the same thing.
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