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Hello your method is a good one and would minimize steam induced shock to the combustor. By not closing the bypass immediately even in the active zone you can burn off any water in the wood and ensure that you don’t get a steam induced crack in the combustor. I usually wait for the stove to get to the inactive zone before reloading but if I have to load whilst in the active zone I would keep air control on a very low setting and close the bypass after about 5 mins. This is usually a reload just before bedtime. I typically leave the stove on a very low setting for overnight burns since it provides ample heat and is still going well into the morning the next day. I stay away from high air control setting during reloads since I don’t like seeing lots of smoke even white smoke coming out of the chimney. By using a low setting I see just a wisp of smoke. Don’t want to get a knock on my door from the neighbors because of smoke.

Congratulations it will be there to enjoy for many many years. A few more weeks before the flowers appear. Also in September there are a few days when the robins, mockingbirds, squirrels and chipmunks go nuts over the berries. Looking forward to that second show in the fall. We

Check the thermometer when the stove is cold to make sure it’s right around the zero mark 8’oclock position. To get long burns the air control needs to be in 4-6 o’clock position. This is the low setting so no real flames to see but the heat is good. My stove stayed in the active zone from 6PM to 12PM, I had it in the lowest setting from 7PM. If after confirming the above you’re still not getting the long burn then it may be time to look at the combustor. I’ve been on the same combustor for several years so it’s probably not that. But make sure it’s still in tact. It can fracture from thermal shock during reloads if the new load has a lot of moisture and you engage the bypass too soon.

My stove works just fine, and that’s how it works in the video. If I had a problem the burn times would be low and the flames would be very visible. Any way thanks for your observations and comments.

Once a year - but based on the chocolate brown look inside the chimney liner instead of a black tar like appearance I would think I could skip a year. Also I’m in the NE so oak hardwood is what I use primarily. Once a year in late winter is usually when I have it done.

It works great, I’ve had it since 2015. The catalytic combuster was replaced because of damage by a chimney sweep. Replaced for free under the 10yr warranty. It always amazes me at the amount of heat it can deliver. I run it very low because it will push temps into the 80s very quickly. I would buy it again.

@@n121pp67 Thanks for the reply. I'm officially reaching out to local shops tonight. Cheers

It was repaired under warranty, good as new.

I spent many hours watching Magnum PI in the 80s, and the first thing that came to mind when stepping foot on Waimanalo Beach was that I’ve been here before, this place looks very familiar. It didn’t take me long to figure it out, and I was able to find the Spanish Colonial Estate that was a key part of show. It was still there in 2017 in Waimanalo. Thanks for kind words.

@@n121pp67 I honestly didn't know about Waimanlo being in Magnum PI. I'm gonna look for those reruns 🙂 Another great beach is Kailua Beach, lovely waves, nice sand and only a 10 minute jaunt north of Waimanlo. The town of Kailua is also neat. We rented a VRBO guest cottage on Kailua Beach and it was simply perfection. If you are ever looking for a super affordable beachfront stay, I'd be glad to provide you this information. The owners Eva and Herman have lived in their home for 30 plus years and are looking to share their piece of heaven with couples who appreciate the islands for it's beauty, peace and solitude vs. the Waikiki scene - so money isn't a priority for them - their rates have never changed in 30 years !!! So kind and sweet they are. Any way, I hope you make a trip back to the islands soon - cheers ! m.

Hi We had a couch, the room was very spacious. Great hotel.

@@n121pp67 Wow - I've never gotten such a quick reply ! Much appreciation and I love that the room is well outfitted. Cheers to you and mahalo too 🙂

It’s fast, you will get 3-4ft the first year and each year it puts on 2 ft. I prune it every year to keep it from outgrowing the space.

Thank you for such such fast reply!

​@@n121pp67 is it a good foundation plant near front door? Or are the roots bad for the house's foundation and drain? Thanks

Thank you for the feedback, I’m glad you enjoyed the video.

I recently put in a BK King woodstove (not an insert) and it works the same, it is a KE40 model. It seems too good to be true, all the stuff you hear about how long the stoves can hold a fire. With 6 average size pieces of Dougas Fir my stove burned 20 hours. The stove stayed hot another 2 hours, enough to keep the house at 70 while it is 33 outside. When I load it more fully, it becomes a daily task to fill about the same time each day. It is truly liberating, and the price tag is definitely worth it. My old stove would burn through that in 3 to 4 hours, requiring me to get up at night to keep it going. No more. And I can put my hand on the stove pipe, a testament to how much heat is getting utilized inside rather than out. Also there is no smoke, occasionally a slight wisp if the catalyst is engaged. My son in law couldn't believe his own eyes when he was over. What a great stove.

I had mine installed in May of 2015; first fire was in October of 2015. That was a long 5 months.

That’s good; it never worked for me. Also I’d rather load up the stove for a full burn light it and let it do it’s thing. Starting a small fire and adding to it just seems like extra work.

@@n121pp67 Yea I agree but I'm just learning it. Next I'll try a top load and center under the exhaust port so it drafts right away. the top down is supposed to be smoke free I thought

I’ve always had some smoke during startup and reload, dampening down minimizes it.

@@n121pp67 I have a straight 11 ft insulated pipe from the stove top running out my roof of a one story home.

I have a stainless Steel liner in my masonry chimney in a 2 story house. I’ve always wondered about the insulated pipe and how much of a difference it makes. Based on your results it seems to help quite a bit.

The stove should remain in the active zone for the duration of the fuel load. If it’s not and you have more than just glowing coals then something off. The catalyst will glow red at times during the burn cycle but there will be times when it’s not glowing. Keep in mind that it is still functioning and will continue to do its job and keep the stove in the active zone regardless of the damper setting as long as there is wood left to burn. So if you’re in the active zone the stove is working as it should. Good read on catalyst here www.woodstove.com/image/catalog/Library/Wood-Stove-Troubleshooting/Woodstock-Soapstone-Catalytic-Combustor-Tips.pdf

What are the results that you’re getting? I found the best results were from a tightly stacked north south load with good size spilts at the bottom. I like loading the stove to near capacity if possible even from a cold start.

Also let the burn cycle complete before reloading ie don’t reload until the stove drops back down sufficiently into the inactive zone.

Your stove calls for a minimum of a 15' total height of all stove pipe plus chimney pipe but not much over 18'-20'. I sounds like you are quite a bit over the maximum height which creates too much draft and the piping is trying it's best to really suck the air up too fast. I'm not sure if an old-fashioned damper would help to slow the draft. Have you talked to a chimney sweep expert or one of the many quality Blaze King dealerships?

@@CW1116 I wasn’t aware of the maximum height, the stove and chimney liner were installed by the same company. I’ll have to do some research on this.

Assuming a full load and an air control setting 2 clicks below the middle setting, I would expect 8-10 hrs of heat, perhaps longer. You will not see rolling flames btw. Once the stove settles down it’s more of a glow with a display of flames from time to time.

Thank you @@n121pp67

I do believe it is a Cherokee Brave, it’s about 40 years old. I’m in zone 7a.

Thank you 😊. I thought it might be but wanted to verify before I buy one. I have a perfect spot for it. I’m in zone 7b even more perfect.

@@annetteshaver1821 it’s a great specimen tree, wildlife love the berries in late Summer.

Wacky Races was one of my favorite cartoons 😀

The stove holds about 80lbs of wood, so 20 lbs would be a good small load and that should last about 2 hrs at least.

@@n121pp67 ok thanks,, so 20 lbs for two hours, that is about 9 kilo of wood, that is 36 kilowatt, or 18 kilowatt per hour ,, but what if you only need 2 kilowatt per hour,, CAN a load of 20lbs burn as slow as 18 hours ??= 2 kilowatt per hour how much wood do you in your house need to burn in a day that has 39,2 F as average temperature??

@@cmtwgrdk2748 I don’t think it would last 18 hrs even at the lowest setting.

1500 sq ft 2 story center hall colonial. Basement is another 700 sq ft. The princess insert works well in this house

1500 sq ft 2 story colonial. The heat rises up to the second floor via convection so it’s an ideal arrangement. A ranch presents a unique set of challenges to overcome. If the stove is centrally located then it may be ok, but I’ve heard stories of freezing rooms on the far side of the house. Check out the forums on heating with wood burners.

I heat a smaller size ranch with an Englander non-cat insert that's prolly half or 2/3s the size of this and it works just fine. Very warm in the stove (living) room of course, but the trick is to use 1 or 2 small, personal desk-sized fans (3-4" type) on the floor at the ends of hallways or however your layout is to push cold air back toward the stove room, which pulls the warm air into those farther away areas. When my stove finally gives up the ghost, I'll definitely look into one of these though for the longer burn times and wood savings as everyone raves about them, (except those with unseasoned wood).

How long are your heat times when the temps are in single digits or below zero ?

It’s a keeper. I like fragrant plants and I’m enjoying the generous gardener rose bushes that I planted in 2019, strong classic rose fragrance musk and myrrh. From David Austin Roses.

​@@n121pp67 is it a good foundation plant or its roots are harmful for the house and drain? I am thinking of buying one in few hours. Thanks

@@kingbee4474 I haven’t had any issues with the roots impacting the house or the main drain. I have a smaller one in the front yard, white flowers, and no issues either.

Yes full sun, no issues.

Ain’t that the truth!!!

The stove is in my living room, which opens up to a dining room and a center stairwell to the 2nd floor. Approximately 750 sq ft on the main floor. This arrangement is good for heat distribution even to the 2nd floor. The stove can put out more heat if you open up the air control but then it becomes too warm in the living room.

I had mine installed in May 2015, I still remember my first burn on a very cold October morning later that year. It exceeded my expectations I had going in. Great stove.

1600 sq ft 2 story 1940 colonial; 2100 if you add the basement.

Flames are nice - I think the non cat stoves will give you a better viewing experience if you want rolling flames like say a Pacific Energy. Also choose a stove with a large viewing glass and a decent size fire box. Blaze King has a very large fire box even with the princess insert.

Yes it’s a great stove. It puts out a lot of heat and can burn for a long time. I think a fresh air kit is one way to improve on this otherwise great design and overall comfort level in the house. But other than that I wouldn’t change a thing.

The air control on the Princess insert rotates 180 degrees starting from the 12 o’clock position, which is wide open and 6 o’clock which is the lowest setting of the air control. If I run my stove say no lower than 4 o’clock then the glass will stay clean. But at that setting it gets too warm in the room so I will usually run lower to keep the temp in the room at a comfortable level. A clean glass is nice to have but I usually can’t keep it clean for long.

So there’s no smoke when the combustor is not activated but there’s smoke when you do activate it?

This must be troll bait or something

@@old1234, yeah, he has to be clueless. You don't get 30 hours out of a load by burning it wide open. lol

Blaze king stoves are meant to do the opposite actually. But thanks for playing.

Yes that makes sense I’ve noticed that with a small load there’s not much of any smoke once the combustor is engaged.

It takes a little while for the flames to die down if I’m on the lowest setting, for the first 30mins to an 1hr I will see flames then no flames for the rest of the burn. I did check the door seal and it was good last season. WRT to the air control aka temp control you may be right but it does seem to do what it is supposed to do and that is it keeps the combustion temp of the cat in the active zone throughout the burn. I run it at a setting that shows a tan coating on the the inside. If I go all the way down to low I see black shiny creosote on the inside after a burn. So I want to avoid that.

@@n121pp67 I get a creosote buildup also. But it's on the inside of the door glass as well as on other areas off the firebox. That's normal - when burning a cooler, smoldering fire in any airtight stove. The difference is that the combustor burns all that tar/creosote smoke and prevents that smoke from reaching your chimney. And the place where you do not want creosote is not in the stove but in the chimney itself. Creosote buildup inside the stove is normal on lower temp burns. So if you burn a not-so-hot fire (so you're not opening windows and burning too much wood) and keep the combustor temp in the "active zone"....then you will be operating the stove within its parameters. You can clean the glass by burning the stove at a higher setting for a while. I prefer to use a single-edge razor blade in a paint scraper handle to carefully scrape away the buildup. More than ten years of cleaning the door glass that way. Again, please don't worry about creosote formation in the stove - the catalyst is there to burn the smoke and release that heat into thee house.

@@svensvensen8406 thank you that makes sense

@@svensvensen8406 If the dirty glass bothers you, and I don't see why it should since there aren't any flames to watch anyway, and you want to quickly remove creosote, there is a product called "Speedy White" Hearth and Stove Cleaner. I'm sure there are other brands as well. You just spray it on like Windex and wipe away the creosote. A lot easier than scraping with a razor blade.

Thanks for that tip - I will check

Awesome plant at least 20 feet away from any bldg, I have a white dogwood in front that was planted about 8 feet from the house, it’s about 10 years old and I wish it was planted further away since the branches need to be pruned every year now to keep it off the house.

@@n121pp67 ok will do thank you

@@n121pp67 are the roots invasive?

@@LookHere3 no issues with the roots

@@n121pp67 thanks! i just purchased a 200mm pot dogwood but dont want to wait 30years :( for somthing like this. couldnt find anything bigger

I do use the air control to control the amount of heat the stove is putting out but usually get to the 4 o’clock position and leave it there until it is time to reload.