fdegree said:
I didn’t realize, until the other day, that there was a Blaze King Dealer near me. So, now I have been considering the King Parlor, in addition to the others I've been researching.
I was turned on to the BK here, bought and installed a Princess recently, and am delighted.
The two big drawbacks are the looks, which some people (or their wives) consider "ugly",
and the price gouging that you'll endure since you live east of the Mississippi River and if
you cannot induce a west-of dealer to ship you one.
1. Is it a convection and/or radiant stove, without the fan option?
The Ultra version has side panels, which supposedly make it convective, and I think they're
optional on the Parlor and Classic. I actually removed them on my Ultra, preferring to go
mostly radiant, since the thing sits in my main living area. I use a ceiling fan, blowing
upwards, to move the air.
2. When burning at a lower thermostat setting, is creosote build-up a problem with this cat stove?
I have not burned mine long enough to check the chimney. I can tell you that with my old Dutchwest
catalytic, I did lots of long slow overnite burns, and I cleaned the chimney every 3 years whether it
needed it or nor - and it did not need it. I see no reason to believe this one will burn dirtier. In fact,
right now I'm at the tail end of a 12+ hour overnite burn, the catalyst is still active, and I see nothing
but heat waves coming out of the chimney cap.
3. With the thermostat set low, the stack temperature will be lower…will 2 - 45 degree elbows significantly impact the draft?
I have back-to-back 45's, for an 8" offset. I'm fine. I do think I have a killer chimney, in terms of its draft.
I am using single wall pipe, and the offset starts about 24" above the stove collar, both directly contrary
to BK's recommendation. This is an experimental setup, and I MAY upgrade to double-wall one of these
days, but I see no compelling reason to, at this point.
I believe that if you follow the rec to have 36" (?) of rise above the stove below your elbows, and if you
use double-wall, you should be fine.
4. The owner’s manual states, “If the thermostat breaks, the damper will automatically close.” If this happens, is there any way to manually adjust the combustion air until the thermostat can be replaced?
I haven't removed the thermostat cover on mine yet; there are dire warnings not to do so.
I don't think thermostat breakage is a big issue. Never heard of it.
5. Will the top get hot enough to cook upon, with and without the fan option?
I doubt it - perhaps the only thing I like less than the Dutchwest. The top is so thick (1/4"
plate I think) that even with the cat above the active zone (which of course I try to avoid)
the top is not beginning to glow at all.
Good luck !