So, i'm day 2 into burning with my BK princess ultra (i'll eventually post a review.. but it's looking good so far), and wanted to ask you veterans about reloading your BK. I have read the manual several times but have found some areas confusing. I have found that I prefer to keep the t-stat at setting 1 all the time (anything higher and my house is cooking).
Question 1:
If your t-stat is constantly on setting 1, when it comes to reloading, do you:
A- open the by-pass lever, open the door, stuff in your logs, close the door, close the by-pass, leave the t-stat at 1, and carry on with your day?
or do you
B -open the by-pass lever, turn the t-stat to 3, open the door, stuff your logs in, close the door, close the by-pass, let it burn for 20-30minutes on t-stat setting 3, then 20-30 minutes later drop it to 2, then 20-30 minutes later drop it to 1? ... this method allowing the cat to properly appreciate the correct temperature
Reading about the cat, it seems it does not like to have the t-stat switched too quickly, otherwise you will give the cat a misrepresented temperature reading. I can see method B working best on a fresh start up, but am unsure if this is true if the stove is still warm/in operation.
Question 2:
How hot is your stove upon reloading? After I reload (with the by-pass closed and t-stat to 1) the stove is HOT. I purchased the rear-shield, which gives my a 6" clearance to the rear wall, and I also have a heat shield mounted off the wall, and the heat shield is initially quite hot to touch. This lasts for about 30 minutes because I have an oscillating fan blowing directly between the wall and rear shield to cool it down. After 30 minutes, the heat shield on the wall is lukewarm. I will turn the fan to low and it's good for the day. I just want to make sure this is normal when reloading? I feel I should move the stove away from the wall a few more inches just to be safe, but I have also read many guys having to turn on their BK fans to cool down the reload process for the same reason.
I have no experience with a catalytic stove and want to ensure I'm completing the process properly.
Thanks guys!
Question 1:
If your t-stat is constantly on setting 1, when it comes to reloading, do you:
A- open the by-pass lever, open the door, stuff in your logs, close the door, close the by-pass, leave the t-stat at 1, and carry on with your day?
or do you
B -open the by-pass lever, turn the t-stat to 3, open the door, stuff your logs in, close the door, close the by-pass, let it burn for 20-30minutes on t-stat setting 3, then 20-30 minutes later drop it to 2, then 20-30 minutes later drop it to 1? ... this method allowing the cat to properly appreciate the correct temperature
Reading about the cat, it seems it does not like to have the t-stat switched too quickly, otherwise you will give the cat a misrepresented temperature reading. I can see method B working best on a fresh start up, but am unsure if this is true if the stove is still warm/in operation.
Question 2:
How hot is your stove upon reloading? After I reload (with the by-pass closed and t-stat to 1) the stove is HOT. I purchased the rear-shield, which gives my a 6" clearance to the rear wall, and I also have a heat shield mounted off the wall, and the heat shield is initially quite hot to touch. This lasts for about 30 minutes because I have an oscillating fan blowing directly between the wall and rear shield to cool it down. After 30 minutes, the heat shield on the wall is lukewarm. I will turn the fan to low and it's good for the day. I just want to make sure this is normal when reloading? I feel I should move the stove away from the wall a few more inches just to be safe, but I have also read many guys having to turn on their BK fans to cool down the reload process for the same reason.
I have no experience with a catalytic stove and want to ensure I'm completing the process properly.
Thanks guys!
