BK King hooked up to a 6" chimney?

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Hiram Maxim

Hiram Maxim

Minister of Fire
Nov 25, 2007
1,065
SE Michigan
I remember it being discussed here and per a discussion with Renovation George, cannot find the post anywhere.

Remember it not being advisable but would like some input from you guys!

My buddy currently has a 6" chimney and wondered what would be the pro's or cons to hooking it up to a 6" chimney???

His 6" chimney is on an outside wall and about 20 feet tall. He will only be heating around 800 sq ft. so it would be running low n slow.

Thank you, Hiram :)
 
IIRC smoke spillage could be the biggest of the issues along with not meeting code.
 
Seems like with a 6" flue and 800 sf the princess would be the obvious choice
Just my 2 cents bout all I have left..............
 
Chopslide said:
Seems like with a 6" flue and 800 sf the princess would be the obvious choice
Just my 2 cents bout all I have left..............
Click to expand...

The Princess is certainly a consideration.
However, the King holds a lot more fuel and the 800sqft has very little insulation.
 
rdust said:
IIRC smoke spillage could be the biggest of the issues along with not meeting code.
Click to expand...
I didn't even consider code. Thanks!
 
rdust said:
IIRC smoke spillage could be the biggest of the issues along with not meeting code.
Click to expand...
Anyone living where code would be that dialed in probably wouldn't be heating with wood in the first place. Just a thought.
 
wkpoor said:
rdust said:
IIRC smoke spillage could be the biggest of the issues along with not meeting code.
Click to expand...
Anyone living where code would be that dialed in probably wouldn't be heating with wood in the first place. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

Doesn't have to be where code is "dialed in". The usual thing the inspector asks is for you to hand him a copy of the manual. Which will state that the pipe has to be no smaller than the flue collar.

And I guess you missed the post the other day from the guy heating with wood in a loft in Brooklyn.
 
Yeh I missed that. Never been around codes and we don't have any here. I realize there are good and bad things about that but for the most part I hope we never see codes in my area.
 
wkpoor said:
Anyone living where code would be that dialed in probably wouldn't be heating with wood in the first place. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

I'm in a township that I consider pretty rural with probably half the neighbors heating with wood and we have plenty of codes! :lol: Even if it's not a city code you could potential run into issues with the insurance company if a claim due to fire ever has to be made and the stove isn't installed to manufactures specifications.
 
IRC= International Residential Code, we all have codes, maybe just no one on hand to enforce them. ;-) I would not try to run a King on A 6" flue. They are very prone to smoke spillage on a perfect setup with an 8" flue. Mine is only about 15' tall and it will smoke out if I'm not careful. I have a friend that is running a King on a 35 insulated SS liner that has to be sweet talked in order to not smoke out when the door is opened. With only 800 feet, the Princess is more than enough
 
Hiram Maxim said:
I remember it being discussed here and per a discussion with Renovation George, cannot find the post anywhere.

Remember it not being advisable but would like some input from you guys!

My buddy currently has a 6" chimney and wondered what would be the pro's or cons to hooking it up to a 6" chimney???

His 6" chimney is on an outside wall and about 20 feet tall. He will only be heating around 800 sq ft. so it would be running low n slow.

Thank you, Hiram :)
Click to expand...

Hi Hiram,

Good to hear (see) from you. I guess you've just been happily burning away with your King, nothing to say. :)

Yeah, I've researched and discussed this to death--maybe you couldn't find the threads because I'm (Curious) George now.

The upshot, both from theory and from folks who've tried it, is the drawback is smoke spillage on reload.

From experience, one guy is burning a King on a marginal 6" setup--14' total height, two 90 degree bends--and it works great except for spillage on reloads. Another guy reports a similar experience, but I don't know the details of his chimney. I'd love to get a report from someone who's burning one on a straight, 24' 6" pipe, since that's what I have on hand, but no joy.

Theory predicts that too, with a 6" pipe having half the flow volume of an otherwise identical 8" pipe with the door open. Also, BK specifies 6" for the Princess and 8" for the King, with the two having near identical maximum burn rates, but the King has the bigger firebox to generate smoke, and the bigger door to leak it. I asked BK to clarify, but got no response.

So the tradeoff with a 6" pipe is smaller firebox with Princess, versus danger of spillage on reload with the King, which personally I would find a PITA.

I hope this helps. Thanks for all the friendly help and advice you've given me!


BrotherBart said:
The usual thing the inspector asks is for you to hand him a copy of the manual. Which will state that the pipe has to be no smaller than the flue collar.
Click to expand...

Actually, that's not correct.

The manual says:

"NEVER USE A CHIMNEY CONNECTOR OR CHIMNEY FLUE SMALLER THAN THE STOVE EXHAUST, UNLESS APPROVED BY YOUR LOCAL INSPECTOR". (caps theirs)

In other words, it's up to your inspector--Blaze King doesn't say no to a smaller flue, but takes no responsibility.

EDIT: So you'd need to get your inspector to sign off on it. That might be challenging.
 
webby3650 said:
IRC= International Residential Code, we all have codes, maybe just no one on hand to enforce them. ;-) I would not try to run a King on A 6" flue. They are very prone to smoke spillage on a perfect setup with an 8" flue. Mine is only about 15' tall and it will smoke out if I'm not careful. I have a friend that is running a King on a 35 insulated SS liner that has to be sweet talked in order to not smoke out when the door is opened. With only 800 feet, the Princess is more than enough
Click to expand...

I guess I'm lucky? because I have 15 feet of pipe and it almost sucks your arm in if your not careful. :p

I live on a windy lake so I don't have draft problem.

Thanks for the response Gentleman...Princess it is then!
 
rdust said:
wkpoor said:
Anyone living where code would be that dialed in probably wouldn't be heating with wood in the first place. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

I'm in a township that I consider pretty rural with probably half the neighbors heating with wood and we have plenty of codes! :lol: Even if it's not a city code you could potential run into issues with the insurance company if a claim due to fire ever has to be made and the stove isn't installed to manufactures specifications.
Click to expand...

My buddy lives in Clarkston.
And from what I have been told the City is not even fond of his woodpile.
 
I burned a pre epa 8" stove for yrs on a 6" chimney 35', 40' from stove top. Never had any issues except cold flue temps. I feel that was a stove issue and not wrong chimney problem. Most here say that EPA stove requires more draft though so it would be on the safe side to keep outlet matched to chimney.
 
Hiram Maxim said:
Thanks for the response Gentleman...Princess it is then!
Click to expand...

If your friend buys from the same place you bought let me know! Maybe we can ask them if we get a better deal buying two at the same time. :lol:
 
I have chuckled all day today about the thought of a BK King in 800 sq. ft. That ain't a stove. That is a spare bedroom.

Just to get to cat light off would overheat the joint.
 
BrotherBart said:
I have chuckled all day today about the thought of a BK King in 800 sq. ft. That ain't a stove. That is a spare bedroom.

Just to get to cat light off would overheat the joint.
Click to expand...

:lol: I'm thinking the Princess is even going to be a bit much!
 
(Curious) George said:
Hiram Maxim said:
I remember it being discussed here and per a discussion with Renovation George, cannot find the post anywhere.

Remember it not being advisable but would like some input from you guys!

My buddy currently has a 6" chimney and wondered what would be the pro's or cons to hooking it up to a 6" chimney???

His 6" chimney is on an outside wall and about 20 feet tall. He will only be heating around 800 sq ft. so it would be running low n slow.

Thank you, Hiram :)
Click to expand...

Hi Hiram,

Good to hear (see) from you. I guess you've just been happily burning away with your King, nothing to say. :)

Yeah, I've researched and discussed this to death--maybe you couldn't find the threads because I'm (Curious) George now.

The upshot, both from theory and from folks who've tried it, is the drawback is smoke spillage on reload.

From experience, one guy is burning a King on a marginal 6" setup--14' total height, two 90 degree bends--and it works great except for spillage on reloads. Another guy reports a similar experience, but I don't know the details of his chimney. I'd love to get a report from someone who's burning one on a straight, 24' 6" pipe, since that's what I have on hand, but no joy.

Theory predicts that too, with a 6" pipe having half the flow volume of an otherwise identical 8" pipe with the door open. Also, BK specifies 6" for the Princess and 8" for the King, with the two having near identical maximum burn rates, but the King has the bigger firebox to generate smoke, and the bigger door to leak it. I asked BK to clarify, but got no response.

So the tradeoff with a 6" pipe is smaller firebox with Princess, versus danger of spillage on reload with the King, which personally I would find a PITA.

I hope this helps. Thanks for all the friendly help and advice you've given me!


BrotherBart said:
The usual thing the inspector asks is for you to hand him a copy of the manual. Which will state that the pipe has to be no smaller than the flue collar.
Click to expand...

Actually, that's not correct.

The manual says:

"NEVER USE A CHIMNEY CONNECTOR OR CHIMNEY FLUE SMALLER THAN THE STOVE EXHAUST, UNLESS APPROVED BY YOUR LOCAL INSPECTOR". (caps theirs)

In other words, it's up to your inspector--Blaze King doesn't say no to a smaller flue, but takes no responsibility.
Click to expand...

George you changed your name!

I haven't been lurking or posting as much lately. Busy trying to make $.

This burning season has been warmer, much less work, and less wood. Load in the evening, turn the dial a few times and forget about it until the next evening. I like it, Yes very happy.

Although the dog likes the Englander better than the BK because its closer to the ground.lol
Cheers,Hiram
 
BrotherBart said:
I have chuckled all day today about the thought of a BK King in 800 sq. ft. That ain't a stove. That is a spare bedroom.

Just to get to cat light off would overheat the joint.
Click to expand...

I should elaborate!

That's just the area he wants to heat. The entire building is 3500 sqft semi sectioned off.

He runs 3 stoves currently. One in his showroom, one in his machine shop and the other in his living area.

But there is actually someone on this forum that is heating a 900 sqft house with a King. ;-)

With the T-stat its not as laughable as you might think. Your just use to the 30 BB, this heat and heater is way way different.
 
Maybe so Hiram. But I just cannot see running any stove that much below capacity without issues. May be wrong. But still...
 
rdust said:
Hiram Maxim said:
Thanks for the response Gentleman...Princess it is then!
Click to expand...

If your friend buys from the same place you bought let me know! Maybe we can ask them if we get a better deal buying two at the same time. :lol:
Click to expand...

Will Do!
I called today to check on prices. They increased since my neighbor bought the Princess insert.
Figured I get the baseline price before I finagled at the price. I have sent them a lot of business in the last 2 years.
hope all is well. :)
 
BrotherBart said:
Maybe so Hiram. But I just cannot see running any stove that much below capacity without issues. May be wrong. But still...
Click to expand...

You would honestly be surprised. I promise you!
The other thing you have to consider is your in a tropical area compared to us Michigan snow monkeys.lol

Its 8°F right now! Its going to dip below 0°F before morning.

Do you think it would destroy the CAT or something?
 
Hiram Maxim said:
webby3650 said:
IRC= International Residential Code, we all have codes, maybe just no one on hand to enforce them. ;-) I would not try to run a King on A 6" flue. They are very prone to smoke spillage on a perfect setup with an 8" flue. Mine is only about 15' tall and it will smoke out if I'm not careful. I have a friend that is running a King on a 35 insulated SS liner that has to be sweet talked in order to not smoke out when the door is opened. With only 800 feet, the Princess is more than enough
Click to expand...

I guess I'm lucky? because I have 15 feet of pipe and it almost sucks your arm in if your not careful. :p

I live on a windy lake so I don't have draft problem.

Thanks for the response Gentleman...Princess it is then!
Click to expand...
Mine does OK, you just can't jerk the door open without it smokin out. If it was in a 6 I think it would be real bad.
 
Hiram Maxim said:
BrotherBart said:
Maybe so Hiram. But I just cannot see running any stove that much below capacity without issues. May be wrong. But still...
Click to expand...

You would honestly be surprised. I promise you!
The other thing you have to consider is your in a tropical area compared to us Michigan snow monkeys.lol

Its 8°F right now! Its going to dip below 0°F before morning.

Do you think it would destroy the CAT or something?
Click to expand...

Whoops. Forgot it doesn't get cold here.

Waiter, check please.
 
BrotherBart said:
Hiram Maxim said:
BrotherBart said:
Maybe so Hiram. But I just cannot see running any stove that much below capacity without issues. May be wrong. But still...
Click to expand...

You would honestly be surprised. I promise you!
The other thing you have to consider is your in a tropical area compared to us Michigan snow monkeys.lol

Its 8°F right now! Its going to dip below 0°F before morning.

Do you think it would destroy the CAT or something?
Click to expand...

Whoops. Forgot it doesn't get cold here.

Waiter, check please.
Click to expand...

Now cut that out!
You know what I mean darn it..... :mad: LOL

Kidding aside do you think it would have an adverse affect on the CAT?
 
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