2015-2016 Blaze King Performance thread (Everything BK)

[jetsam]

So I loaded up a load, got that fire going. Closed the bypass when the cat turned active. Waiting until the fire got going well and the cat got to about 1pm, and dropped the Stat to half, a few minutes later to low.

The flames didn't die out. The fire is raging on with not much of a discernible difference between the stat in high. Usually the flames quench in seconds. It has now been maybe 15 minutes.

Help?

Make sure the door's latched.

It may also be normal- the dial isn't an input air control, it's a thermostat that contols input air. Cold firebox, many flames.

I have mine set on about 20% tonight- it was an inferno at first, then lots of floaty gas flames, and now it's in Black Box Mode. Once the firebox warms up, the thermostat shuts the air down.

 

[robk]

Thank you. Door is/was latched. But you seem to be right. Flames seem to have died down. Just never had it happen before like that. Freaked this former city kid out.

 

[jetsam]

Thank you. Door is/was latched. But you seem to be right. Flames seem to have died down. Just never had it happen before like that. Freaked this former city kid out.

If its behavior is changing, check your door gasket with the dollar bill test next time the stove's cold. Could be time to adjust the door.

 

[robk]

Will do.

How do I check the bypass on the princess insert because it's not readily accessible?

 

[Scoutin Wyo]

Robk , I only get 9-10 hour runs on full loads of Lodgepole pine out of my princess. That is running in the 2 o'clock to 3 o'clock position which is 1.5 - 2.0 on my number sticker. I think a lot depends on how well your house holds the heat and what you demand from your wood load. I'm still learning my setup.
Another thing I've noticed when comparing my princess parlor to my bud's princess insert, he runs his fans a lot more than I do. I believe I've read here that running the fan will cool the t-stat coil a bit which will result in faster burn rates.

 

[Ashful]

It may also be normal- the dial isn't an input air control, it's a thermostat that contols input air. Cold firebox, many flames.

This is not quite correct. There is a damper flap attached to the shaft, by means of a bimetallic coil spring. This spring provides a small range of motion, based on temperature, but the range of your knob is at least 2x more. So, you can easily force air fully closed at any operating temperature. When you turn the knob counter clockwise and hear a click, that's the damper closing.

If you aren't able to dial the stove down, you have a loose knob or a leak. Make sure you hear the inlet damper click closed, when you turn down the air, as step 1.

 

[Highbeam]

Will do.

How do I check the bypass on the princess insert because it's not readily accessible?

Your bypass is just as accessible as the stove guys' bypass, the adjustment of the bypass (probably what you meant) is way harder on the insert but you can test it through the firebox with a dollar bill type test. Open bypass, insert paper, latch bypass, and try to pull out. The paper should not pull out easily anywhere. The gasket is one thing that can be bad but also the bypass gasket retainers can melt.

 

[Highbeam]

This is not quite correct. There is a damper flap attached to the shaft, by means of a bimetallic coil spring. This spring provides a small range of motion, based on temperature, but the range of your knob is at least 2x more. So, you can easily force air fully closed at ant operating temperature. When you turn the knob counter clockwise and hear a click, that's the damper closing.

If you aren't able to dial the stove down, you have a loose knob or a leak. Make sure you hear the inlet damper click closed, when you turn down the air, as step 1.

Yes, nomatter what, if you spin the knob all the way low it will slam the stat flapper shut. I like this ability to override the thermostat.

I think robk was "able" to dial down the stove but his normal dark box setting resulted in flames which corresponds with a cold stove/stat behavior until warm up.

 

[jetsam]

A leaky bypass gasket wouldn't cause unexpected flames in the firebox. A leaky door gasket would. I think Highbeam has the right idea re: the unexpected flame issue.

Thanks to Highbeam and Ashful for the nuts'n'bolts stuff too, love it. <3

 

[sequoia]

A leaky bypass gasket wouldn't cause unexpected flames in the firebox. A leaky door gasket would. I think Highbeam has the right idea re: the unexpected flame issue.

Thanks to Highbeam and Ashful for the nuts'n'bolts stuff too, love it. <3

What behavior would you see if the ash plug is not tight?

 

[kennyp2339]

Good day to have a BK, pouring rain, temp's are in the low 40's its just raw, damp and chilly out there, the princess is running low and slow the house temp is 72deg, its just a good day

 

[jetsam]

What behavior would you see if the ash plug is not tight?

If the ash pan is open to the firebox, the plug hole is a hole in the firebox as far as air is concerned. If the plug leaks, more input air bypassing the system that regulates input air, more combustion.

Then again, a small leak there might be irregular and hard to notice because ash would accumulate and slow down the leak until you cleaned it.

 

[sequoia]

If the ash pan is open to the firebox, the plug hole is a hole in the firebox as far as air is concerned. If the plug leaks, more input air bypassing the system that regulates input air, more combustion.

Then again, a small leak there might be irregular and hard to notice because ash would accumulate and slow down the leak until you cleaned it.

Would the coals glow brighter in the middle? Or is that normal due to the way air regularly flows in the fire box?

 

[sequoia]

Would the coals glow brighter in the middle? Or is that normal due to the way air regularly flows in the fire box?

At my last ash clean out I found two small chunks of the fire brick next to the plug broke loose. Is this a result of super heated fire brick? Will this affect heat protection?

 

[robk]

You guys are so awesome. Thanks for the advice. (Haven't been home to test yet but I will.)

 

[tarzan]

Good day to have a BK, pouring rain, temp's are in the low 40's its just raw, damp and chilly out there, the princess is running low and slow the house temp is 72deg, its just a good day

The temps snuck into the upper limits of the BK here today with rain. 65F outside, BK running at 300 just barely in the active zone. Had to open some windows but that was easier than carrying in wood I suppose

 

[jetsam]

Would the coals glow brighter in the middle? Or is that normal due to the way air regularly flows in the fire box?

That would be a question for someone who has the exact same stove as you- I wouldn't know what normal airflow looks like or where the ash plug is.

Happily, this thread should be a good spot to find that person!

 

[showrguy]

Would the coals glow brighter in the middle? Or is that normal due to the way air regularly flows in the fire box?

I have a King Ultra, and yes the center burns hotter due to airflow...
Least that's the way I see it.....so far..

 

[webby3650]

On a cold rainy night, there's nothing better! Been doing my weekly 30 minute high burn.

 

[prezes13]

Damn people melt at that temp. I over did last week and got the house up to 80 and my wife was ready to evacuate us from the house.

 

[webby3650]

Damn people melt at that temp. I over did last week and got the house up to 80 and my wife was ready to evacuate us from the house.

My wife kicks the furnace on if it drops to 80! Lol

 

[jetsam]

On a cold rainy night, there's nothing better! Been doing my weekly 30 minute high burn.

95! My wife tells me it's too hot at 76 and starts opening windows at 80.

I know I picked the right stove for her though, because yesterday it hit 60, and I was able to keep the stove room down to 75ish burning on the lowest setting!

 

[webby3650]

95! My wife tells me it's too hot at 76 and starts opening windows at 80.

I know I picked the right stove for her though, because yesterday it hit 60, and I was able to keep the stove room down to 75ish burning on the lowest setting!

Well of course I can do that too. I was just letting it breath a little.

 

[Ashful]

Holy crap, webby. We turn on the AC when it hits 76F indoors. My wife starts groaning any time I get the house above 73F with the stoves.

 

[tarzan]

All this talk about wives grumbling when it gets above 75 or so has got me jelous. My wife likes it near 80 and watches the stove like a hawk. I swear she can hear that thermostat shut from the shower.