Sizing a Blaze King for my space.

[Black Bart]

Hi guy and gals. I'm new here and hope I'm in the right forum. I live in Eagle River, Alaska. After much research, many YouTube videos and visiting every wood stove company in Eagle River and Anchorage, I have decided to go with a Blaze King wood stove.

My home is, 1227 sq ft. Living/kitchen area, 1 bedroom, 1 bath and a laundry/boiler room. This stove will be for Backup heat in emergencies (earthquakes and such thing that could interrupt our natural gas supply). It will also occasionally just because we want a fire. And last but not least when we have -20 f weather my hot water baseboard system struggles to get the house above 70 f, we like 75-78 f.

Our winter weather during the time I would fire up the stove ranges 20 f to -20f. The house is of 2x6 construction. The living/kitchen area is 713 sq ft. with 2 36 inch glass doors and 3 5x5 windows. The window are double pane. Ceiling height throughout is 8 feet.

My wood supply is Alaskan Birch Spruce and Beetle Kill Spruce.

Now my question. Which Blaze stove? Size wise. I've been looking at the BK Princess 32, but afraid it might be too big.

Any help or suggestion will be greatly appreciated.

Rich in Eagle River, AK.

 

[Wisco Shepherd]

Most people here would opt for the larger Blaze Kings as the low end of BTU output is similar. So if your space allows larger is usually better although it can be a little Annoying lighting small fires in large stoves during shoulder season.

Is there a reason you are looking at such an expensive stove for emergency only use? If I was looking for something just to get me out of a pinch in emergencies I feel like I wouldn't spend as much money. Blaze King makes a tremendous product but you do pay a premium for it I would want to be using it 24/7 if I had one. Then again you might find once you start burning that you really like it and what to do it full time in which case The Blaze King will be perfect

 

[stoveliker]

^^This

BKs are nice, very nice, but they work best when burning 24/7.
In fact, I only burn if it's below 40-45 for 24 hrs or more.

Lots of folks in AK use BKs, but if one is running them full bore all the time, their advantage as compared to e.g. a Drolet (or, if you wish to spend more, a PE) is not as clear. The thermostat is nice though regardless of how you run it, because of the even heat output it ensures.

In your usage situation I would get a medium sized Drolet. Much less money, good product, nice fire view.

 

[kborndale]

I second the drolet, blazekings are expensive stoves to get for just occasional and emergency use, unless you get addicted to wood heat and start burning 24/7 which has happened to many people who thought they wanted it for emergencies only.

 

[Murray01]

If you’re going to spend big money on a BK have you considered using it full time instead of for emergency situations?

 

[BKVP]

I have spent plenty of time in Alaska and Eagle River specifically. (You folks have a great outdoors man's store!)
A few points:
The Princess will occupy some valuable space. Can you spare that space? Cut out a cardboard square the size of the stove, and walk around it for the day or two.

As far as Btu's are concerned, you can dial it down for your space.

If cost is a consideration, as others mentioned, you could go smaller with a SC20 or other brand medium stove. But since your total space isn't large, it won't take much heat to keep it toasty.

One offset that might help financially, by purchasing a wood heater that qualifies for the Biomass Energy Tax Credit (up to $2000.00) The IRS just recently clarified that qualifying stove must be 75% as listed on the EPA website. Consult your tax adviser to see if YOU qualify.

You should save some funds for a well designed moisture meter and covered wood storage area! While wood is plentiful, do you have outdoor space to store firewood under cover for up to a year? Wood sellers in FNSB are required to post the MC of all fuel on there sales receipts to customers. Thank isn't required anywhere else in AK so be aware wood isn't always ready to burn.

There are lots of good stoves on the market to choose from, so don't rush, unless you want to just start having fun being a part of the wood burner family!

BKVP

 

[Black Bart]

Thanks for all the replies So far. The biggest reason I'm looking at the Blaze King is it's efficiently of wood, burn times and the reported even heat with their thermostat control. I'm 81 years old and can no long go out and get my own wood supply. Wood has become expensive here, so the amount of wood used is a consideration.

Someone mentioned Drolet stoves. I do have a Drolet dealer In Anchorage and haven't been there yet. I'll be going there next.

Edit: I just called the Drolet dealer in Anchorage. They no longer handle that brand.

 

[kborndale]

Thanks for all the replies So far. The biggest reason I'm looking at the Blaze King is it's efficiently of wood, burn times and the reported even heat with their thermostat control. I'm 81 years old and can no long go out and get my own wood supply. Wood has become expensive here, so the amount of wood used is a consideration.

Someone mentioned Drolet stoves. I do have a Drolet dealer In Anchorage and haven't been there yet. I'll be going there next.

Edit: I just called the Drolet dealer in Anchorage. They no longer handle that brand.

Don't expect to get those long burn times in Alaska, when it's cold out blaze kings need to be turned up and get the same burn times as other stoves of the same size. Also be careful buying wood, it's rarely dry enough to burn without sitting for a summer which is an issue for any modern stoves but even more for a blaze kings.

 

[stoveliker]

Yes, the even heat is there.
My suggestion of the Drolet was based on the occasional fires. BKs are just (imho; no offense BKVP...) not the best for a situation where one has occasional fires.
They shine as solid continuous heaters.

Regarding efficiency, buying any stove that meets the tax credit criteria, means that all are 75% efficiency. So in principle wood consumption (per BTU output) should be the same. I don't think that's therefore a valid reason to "go BK".

Drolet's are sold online. They can be shipped to you. Not sure what that would mean for cost (shipping to AK), but the stove itself is quite low cost for its quality.
You'd need to find an installer (I presume, given your eminent age).