Blaze king princess smoke smell?

[Ccarp]

I had a new princess insert installed this October and I have not been able to burn without getting a smoke smell. It seems to be coming from the door. I did the paper test on it and it passes around the entire frame, but upon checking the gasket I noticed the imprint left by the stove edge is right on the edge of the rope gasket vs in the center. I’m not sure if this is correct or incorrect. I have included pictures for reference. Not a ton of experience with this so any help is appreciated!

 

[begreen]

The knife edge should be centered in the gasket to achieve proper sealing.

 

[stovexxx]

buy a good monoxide meter to start, because it is very very dangerous to breathe smoke, for you and your family, do not joke

 

[Highbeam]

There is a decent amount of skill required to properly install a gasket like this. You can't stretch it, bunch it, twist it, or cut the corner too tight. You must use enough silicone, you must use the right silicone, and you need to place the gasket in the right place without pushing it in too far or else you get dips and valleys. You must use the original gasket from the manufacturer of your stove.

I think the installer of your gasket could have done a better job. He pulled it too tight through the corner. Your indentation looks like it would seal pretty well though.

 

[Ccarp]

The knife edge should be centered in the gasket to achieve proper sealing.

Thanks for the information, I will have to replace it

buy a good monoxide meter to start, because it is very very dangerous to breathe smoke, for you and your family, do not joke

I have lots of CO detectors but a meter is a very good idea, thank you.

There is a decent amount of skill required to properly install a gasket like this. You can't stretch it, bunch it, twist it, or cut the corner too tight. You must use enough silicone, you must use the right silicone, and you need to place the gasket in the right place without pushing it in too far or else you get dips and valleys. You must use the original gasket from the manufacturer of your stove.

I think the installer of your gasket could have done a better job. He pulled it too tight through the corner. Your indentation looks like it would seal pretty well though.

I appreciate your tips. When you say I have to use the original gasket from the manufacturer does this mean it is not advisable to replace the original with something like a Rutland gasket? My plan was to remove the original and replace it with a 7/8”(same size installed now) Rutland gasket.

 

[kennyp2339]

What does your flue collar look like?

 

[Ccarp]

What does your flue collar look like?

That’s actually my next step if replacing the door gasket doesn’t get rid of the smoke smell. I helped the installer put it in due to him not having the manpower available. I noticed he didn’t caulk the flue collar or connection. I read in the manual you are supposed to, but I contacted blaze king and they said it’s not required and wouldn’t be causing the smoke smell. What do you think?

 

[kennyp2339]

When the stove is running the chimney actually runs a vacuum, so it would be sucking in, but I have noticed with mine when running the stove from high to low, there is a period of turbulence that occurs as flue temps de-crease and draft slows down w/ a firebox fuel vapor rich - hence the no flames to flames period over glowing wood, this is when I'll occasionally get a light smoke smell in mine.

 

[Highbeam]

If you replace the door gasket do not use Rutland gasket. It’s not the right density. Only oem from BK in a thick bed of high temp RTV.

Be sure to check the door glass for gasket tightness too. It’s a simpler gasket but has been known to not seal well if the retainer nuts are loose.

 

[BKVP]

The connection at the collar is what I'd double check. If the smell originates there, then when not running the fans, smoke may appear to originate at the door.

With blowers on, it would likely increase the smoke smell issue.

BKVP

 

[Ccarp]

The connection at the collar is what I'd double check. If the smell originates there, then when not running the fans, smoke may appear to originate at the door.

With blowers on, it would likely increase the smoke smell issue.

BKVP

I appreciate everyone’s advice. I finally got the time to dig into my situation. I ended up replacing the door gasket and that solved my smoke smell issue. The groove on the door where the gasket is supposed to be glued isn’t centered on the “knife edge” when the door is shut. So I had to hug the edges in some locations while gluing in order for it to be centered on the gasket.
I took your advice about the connections BKVP and I decided to take a look. What I found is creosote leaking through some connections. I was wondering if you had any advice for this situation.

 

[BKVP]

And that is going to burn and smell big time! I think a great sweep/installer such as @bholler can provide guidance. I will write it again, that will burn off and that smell will get blasted into the home, and it stinks!! Paging @bholler

BKVP

 

[bholler]

Yeah that's totally wrong. It should all be stainless welded seam stuff in there and made specifically for a heavy wall liner so everything fits properly. You need to call back whoever did your install and make them replace with proper components

 

[begreen]

These are proper insert elbows for the liner, 15º & 30º.

 

[BKVP]

We implemented a mandatory Tech Support Request form. It has specific questions related to installation and also requires specific images to be provided. Our use of this has allowed us to not assume anything about a particular installation (we've learned that the hard way). While there are still other questions/images that could be helpful, this form hits the very top identified issues.

 

[Mburlingame1]

When the stove is running the chimney actually runs a vacuum, so it would be sucking in, but I have noticed with mine when running the stove from high to low, there is a period of turbulence that occurs as flue temps de-crease and draft slows down w/ a firebox fuel vapor rich - hence the no flames to flames period over glowing wood, this is when I'll occasionally get a light smoke smell in mine.

Is there a way to get this to stop? Mine is doing this as well.

 

[BKVP]

As the original OP discovered, it was likely an installation issue. First check the door seal. Next check all the connections.

When customer call us we now require lots of photos of the install because we often hear, "nope, that is good" and we chase our tails to help them. Then later, much later, we get photos and discover the issues. So now we require photos up front and other information.

Post your pictures here. As you can see, many of the guys here are installers, sweeps and engineers. They can help.

BKVP

 

[Jeff in Maine]

(I know this is an old thread)
I too am getting a smoke smell from time to time. We run the fans almost all the time I saw that mentioned in an above post. Next time I fill the stove I will look closely at my door seal. Sometimes after we have been gone for a while and come home you can smell a hint of smoke like you just added wood to the stove, but you have not.

 

[BKVP]

If the combustor is tired, it could be part of the issue.

BKVP

 

[J10]

For our princess insert, I think some wood shavings that fall onto the ledge below the door basically provide a wood incense smell when burning hot that I rather like. Hasn't caught fire yet...

 

[Jeff in Maine]

If the combustor is tired, it could be part of the issue.

BKVP

Thanks , I didn't see your reply until right now, I have just posted a question on the forum if you have time, please read it and see what you think. Thanks Chris, Jeff

 

[BKVP]

Thanks , I didn't see your reply until right now, I have just posted a question on the forum if you have time, please read it and see what you think. Thanks Chris, Jeff

Send me link, cannot see it.

 

[Jeff in Maine]

This is it Chris

I have a Princess of 2015 vintage I have changed the cat from Ceramic to Metal Monolith Cat a few years ago. In the last 3 weeks I have noticed some strange things that have not happened before.

1) I smell smoke when the stove is turned down to about the 3-4 o-clock position during the overnight or when we come back after being away a few hours. Door seal and By-pass seals are in good firm contact thus the "Dollar Bill Test" done this pre season.
2) The Cat does not stay active when the thermostat is turned down to 4 and below
3) Right now, the stove is WOT and there are barely flames visible inside compared to the wild roaring flames usually present at WOT. I never run it at WOT as a daylong setting, only for startup and charring the new loads. If turn it down to 3-4 it will not stay active.
4) Yes the chimney is clean just cleaned it this morning have not shoveled out the crap yet but the flue is open.
5) Yes the wood is extremely dry over 3.5 years of split stacked under cover. Lots of drying cracks (checking) on the butt ends.
6) I have burned maybe a pickup truck load equivalent of seasoned white Fir between last year and this winter, would that provide enough fly ash to plug the cat?
7) I did not blow out the Cat before this burn season, so it has about 8,500 or 9,000 hours of burn time on it without blowing it off. Is this the issue??
====================================================
I was wondering if I can blow compressed air through the front of the Cat backwards through the Cat? Even if I can It will be Sunday Noon or after before the stove is cool enough to try that.

***UPDATE*** I just did some math, that Cat gets about 4,100 hours of use per season. It has been in the stove for 3 complete seasons so it now has over 12,000 hours on it I bet it needs to be replaced.

 

[Jeff in Maine]

The post is called " Are these symptoms of a clogged cat" i think? Its in Woodstoves by manufacturer/ Blazeking

 

[BKVP]

This is it Chris

I have a Princess of 2015 vintage I have changed the cat from Ceramic to Metal Monolith Cat a few years ago. In the last 3 weeks I have noticed some strange things that have not happened before.

1) I smell smoke when the stove is turned down to about the 3-4 o-clock position during the overnight or when we come back after being away a few hours. Door seal and By-pass seals are in good firm contact thus the "Dollar Bill Test" done this pre season.
2) The Cat does not stay active when the thermostat is turned down to 4 and below
3) Right now, the stove is WOT and there are barely flames visible inside compared to the wild roaring flames usually present at WOT. I never run it at WOT as a daylong setting, only for startup and charring the new loads. If turn it down to 3-4 it will not stay active.
4) Yes the chimney is clean just cleaned it this morning have not shoveled out the crap yet but the flue is open.
5) Yes the wood is extremely dry over 3.5 years of split stacked under cover. Lots of drying cracks (checking) on the butt ends.
6) I have burned maybe a pickup truck load equivalent of seasoned white Fir between last year and this winter, would that provide enough fly ash to plug the cat?
7) I did not blow out the Cat before this burn season, so it has about 8,500 or 9,000 hours of burn time on it without blowing it off. Is this the issue??
====================================================
I was wondering if I can blow compressed air through the front of the Cat backwards through the Cat? Even if I can It will be Sunday Noon or after before the stove is cool enough to try that.

***UPDATE*** I just did some math, that Cat gets about 4,100 hours of use per season. It has been in the stove for 3 complete seasons so it now has over 12,000 hours on it I bet it needs to be replaced.

1) I smell smoke when the stove is turned down to about the 3-4 o-clock position during the overnight or when we come back after being away a few hours. Door seal and By-pass seals are in good firm contact thus the "Dollar Bill Test" done this pre season.

Likely due to cat being inactive and draft issues.

2) The Cat does not stay active when the thermostat is turned down to 4 and below

That could be be either fuel/chimney or the cat.

3) Right now, the stove is WOT and there are barely flames visible inside compared to the wild roaring flames usually present at WOT. I never run it at WOT as a daylong setting, only for startup and charring the new loads. If turn it down to 3-4 it will not stay active.

We can eliminate the cat therm being the issue if the wood won't burn hot/flames. Likely cat/fuel or chimney.

4) Yes the chimney is clean just cleaned it this morning have not shoveled out the crap yet but the flue is open.

OK, no the chimney.

5) Yes the wood is extremely dry over 3.5 years of split stacked under cover. Lots of drying cracks (checking) on the butt ends.

OK, no the fuel.

6) I have burned maybe a pickup truck load equivalent of seasoned white Fir between last year and this winter, would that provide enough fly ash to plug the cat?

Fly ash can be more of an issue in strong drafting installations. Fly ash also seems skewed towards those burning soft woods.


7) I did not blow out the Cat before this burn season, so it has about 8,500 or 9,000 hours of burn time on it without blowing it off. Is this the issue??

Perhaps, blow it out. Masking (deposits laying on top of the precious metal)can definitely influence cat activity.

BKVP