BioBricks in a KozyHeat Z42

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pburgh

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Sep 8, 2010
20
Merrimack NH
Hi All,

I recently purchase a supply of BioBricks for my Z42. I can get great heat out of a load, but I cannot get anywhere near the burn duration they claim. I've tried a variety of stacking shapes, locations, and air settings, but I can only get about 4 hours from 12 bricks. I cannot do more than 12 bricks because it gets too warm.

For those of you using BioBrick-type products... how do you get an overnight burn? Is the Z42 firebox too big? I do have a lot of left over space, but like I said, I cannot load more than 12 for fear of over-firing.

Thanks for reading
 
I have been burning BioBricks for three years. The most satisfactory method for me is to mix my loads, that is two or three splits of cord wood and three or four BioBricks. I get a better burn time and the cord wood leaves coals which the bricks do not. I have to haul in half the wood from the wood pile that I used to and my wife likes to be able to throw in a couple of the nice light bricks into the stove when she wants to.
 
Hey there pburgh, greetings from just off dw highway! I don't know the z42 at all, but I get way more than 4 hours of usable heat out of biobricks. Visible flame, however, can be anywhere from 3 to 5 hours based on load. Best way I've found is to use 4 bricks in a little teepee to start, push them to the way back when they're fully involved, and then tightly pack a full load of bricks in front of the inferno I just moved. Just because you ain't got flame don't mean you don't have heat. A good amount of heat comes from the coaling stage.
 
Howdy! Yes, if I'm starting from scratch, I build a small tee pee and push it to the back left when roaring. I then build a wall of 12 bricks in front of that. I have tried a few different shapes around the initial blaze... maybe I need to keep experimenting.

EDIT: What sort of air level are you using for extended burns?
 
I don't know how you guys are not running to hot with that many bricks at once? I put 3 in my Regency and my top temps went past 700 quick. I do agree that they do not have a very long burn time when burned alone.
 
I've scared myself a few times, but 12 packed closely together seems to be a decent size for my firefox. The Z42 has a lot of room. If the bricks fall apart and all catch at the same time, it gets a little too hot.
 
On my stove, which does not have secondary air nor a cat, I set my air a smidge over one quarter open for my extended burn. Been running them all year and am nothing but happy. I do agree if the pile falls apart, things can get a bit hot. I've tapped 700 stovetop on a few occasions, however it's more typical for me to peak somewhere in the 600 - 650 range and cruise 500 to 550.
 
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