Blaze King Princess Questions........

I don't have one of these stoves, but can offer some advice.

The BK Princess is a great stove. I have a Woodstock cat stove and it only has one damper to control everything, including the cat combustion. From what I have read about the BK cat stoves on this forum, they are no different - in that they are VERY controllable stoves.

I can't speak to the ash bin as you describe. My two stoves have ash pans, I use them and like them. Others don't use ash pans and are very OK with that. I'd say if you want one, get it. You don't have to use it.

My Englander 30-NCH came with both pedistal and legs. The pedistal was installed and that was the way I was going to set the stove. At the last minute, I decided to use the legs, and I'm glad I did. The stove looks much better IMHO. The Englander, like the BK, is a big plate steel stove. The legs take away some of that plain-ish steel plate look (for lack of a better word) and enhances the look of the stove - again IMHO.

Good luck,
Bill

tcassavaugh said:

1. I noticed there doesn’t seem to be any auxiliary draft control on the fire box. Is the thermostat the only draft control on the stove? If so, do you have any problems controling the burn or does the thermostat control provide it all for you?
2. Does anyone have the ash bin? Is it a 1 x 1 trap door or is it larger than that. I know that some folks don’t have or use them, but I like having the option.
3. Not sure whether to get the pedestal or the legs. Any of you get one and wish you had gotten the other?

As always, thanks in advance for the replies.
cass

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1. Yes, the knob is the only draft control the t-stat handles it all. Easiest stove I've ever had the opportunity to run, I can't believe I ever wasted my time burning wood any other way. The control it gives you over the fire is really nothing short of amazing.

2. I have an Ultra which has an ash bin. I've never used it so I'm not sure how well it works, it appears be be a pretty decent design.

3. I have an Ultra which has a pedestal, I like legs better on most stoves but feel this one is fine with the pedestal. It could be school bus yellow and I wouldn't care since it works so well.

I've only burned the paint off mine in front of the garage, but this is what I know.

1. The thermostat is the only draft control. It seemed pretty responsive, even with the draft that only six feet of double wall stove pipe provided. The manual does recommend leaving the door cracked on a cold start. The thermostat is what makes the magic happen ;-)

2. The ash plug in the King is about 1.5x3". I doubt if I'll use it. The ash pan is quite small, but it does have two steel flaps that cover it as you take it outside, if one chooses to use it.

3. I just think the pedestal looks better with this stove. Guess I've only seen pictures of the parlor model with legs.

I have the king with the ash pan trap door. I've never used it since I burn 24/7 & empty the stove every 10 days +/-. I think it would be hard to carry it from my basement, outside to empty it or create dust if I dumped it into a bucket. It' don't hold 10 days worth of ashes & would take me more trips. I maybe should try it to see if it has benefits I'm missing.
stat works great & regulates the burn well. Maintains a good stove temp.
I have the fans & can use the fans to help control the heat out put too.
The legs model may keep the bottom of the stove cooler & radiate some heat, (mine is pedestal so I don't know how warm the concrete floor is under the stove). More preference than anything else I think.
May be some federal tax credits (energy upgrade credits) to help offset some of the expense. Some states have some energy rebates too.
Some pay back comes with burning less wood per year also. (every year you use it)

I've got the King ultra,pedestal with ash pan ,I like the ash pan the hole provided for it works well for me and in my opinion holds alot of ash.I don't know if the Ultra comes with legs? If it does maybe i'll pick up a set and switch em every year if I get bored. But the pedestal does fine and control of fire is as good as it gets.I too second the motion from a previous post how did I waste so much time fiddle forkin with a non cat?

I have a BK Princess as well.

As others have mentioned, yes, the thermostat is the only thing that controls the amount of incoming air. Works well, easy to control.
My stove has the same small trap door/ash pan. I've used it once and I doubt I'll use it again. I find it much easier to remove ashes with a shovel.
I bought mine used and it came with a pedestal. I like the way it looks, but have never had another stove with legs, so nothing really to compare it to.

Overall, it's a great stove and I'm very happy with ours.

If the ash pan is anything like the Chinook's, it's built like a tank.
The ash pan is fairly heavy... at least 70lbs... There's a removeable bucket that you pull out with a handle on it so you can carry it easy. I just measured the bucket and the space for holding ash is 12W 10L and 5.5" Deep. We'll see how many days of ashes that is in the coming months. again, this is for the Chinook not princess. Similar model stoves though.

Hass said:

If the ash pan is anything like the Chinook's, it's built like a tank.
The ash pan is fairly heavy... at least 70lbs... There's a removeable bucket that you pull out with a handle on it so you can carry it easy. I just measured the bucket and the space for holding ash is 12W 10L and 5.5" Deep. We'll see how many days of ashes that is in the coming months. again, this is for the Chinook not princess. Similar model stoves though.

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I should think that with you being in MD that your burn times would be much better in that you can turn the stove down even further as compared to the Alaska folks that use them just due to your milder temperature climate.

Good luck,
Bill

I also own a Princess Ultra

#2 - The ash pan on the ultra is about 9"x9"x9" (roughly) in size. I use it once and a while, but it's just as easy to scoop the ashes into a bucket.
#3 - Pedal v.s legs - I think it's style preference.. both are quite nice looking.. but I feel whatever looks best with your setup.

PS: The stove is worth the money. Every penny.

I've never used the ash pan on mine. Have never even pulled it out of the stove to see what it looks like!

I empty with a stove shoevel and 5 gal metal pail every 3-4 weeks. I just move the hot ash/coals over to teh side and shovel out the rest.

Stove has only gone dead once since Sepetemer and it was the 2 days I was in the hospital for my back.

Although I preferred the looks of the Princess Ultra - the pedestal model - I ended up ordering the 'Parlor' model with legs, simply because it is a couple inches shorter and I was very concerned about my inadequate vertical rise (no bad jokes, please!).

Since I also ordered the rear fan kit and the side shields, I'm guessing they just assumed I meant the Ultra model, since that's what they shipped. I love it. And my wife prefers the looks of the pedestal to the legs on our old stove (and the pictures of the Princess Parlor I showed her).

I'll probably never use the ash pan, save maybe for a long cold snap in January-February when for weeks at a time I don't want to let the fire burn off. Nice to know it's there, even if I never or rarely use it.

I think you can hardly go wrong with any of the BK models. The magic is in how the stove works...

Jager said:

Although I preferred the looks of the Princess Ultra - the pedestal model - I ended up ordering the 'Parlor' model with legs, simply because it is a couple inches shorter and I was very concerned about my inadequate vertical rise (no bad jokes, please!).

Since I also ordered the rear fan kit and the side shields, I'm guessing they just assumed I meant the Ultra model, since that's what they shipped. I love it. And my wife prefers the looks of the pedestal to the legs on our old stove (and the pictures of the Princess Parlor I showed her).

I'll probably never use the ash pan, save maybe for a long cold snap in January-February when for weeks at a time I don't want to let the fire burn off. Nice to know it's there, even if I never or rarely use it.

I think you can hardly go wrong with any of the BK models. The magic is in how the stove works...

Click to expand...

Good choice. When does it arrive? Of course we'll need pictures when it does
I like looking at legs too

bogydave said:

Jager said:

Although I preferred the looks of the Princess Ultra - the pedestal model - I ended up ordering the 'Parlor' model with legs, simply because it is a couple inches shorter and I was very concerned about my inadequate vertical rise (no bad jokes, please!).

Since I also ordered the rear fan kit and the side shields, I'm guessing they just assumed I meant the Ultra model, since that's what they shipped. I love it. And my wife prefers the looks of the pedestal to the legs on our old stove (and the pictures of the Princess Parlor I showed her).

I'll probably never use the ash pan, save maybe for a long cold snap in January-February when for weeks at a time I don't want to let the fire burn off. Nice to know it's there, even if I never or rarely use it.

I think you can hardly go wrong with any of the BK models. The magic is in how the stove works...

Click to expand...

Good choice. When does it arrive? Of course we'll need pictures when it does
I like looking at legs too

Click to expand...

Arrived two weeks ago. ;-)

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/83918/

I'm sitting here on a Friday evening, wife and dog already in the bed. I'm enjoying the start of the weekend, two fingers of Woodford Reserve at hand, and am happily entertaining myself with a lovely fire just a few feet away. How do you explain to someone who doesn't burn wood the odd joy - the somehow very special reward - that comes from such a simple thing?

Jager said:

bogydave said:

Jager said:

Although I preferred the looks of the Princess Ultra - the pedestal model - I ended up ordering the 'Parlor' model with legs, simply because it is a couple inches shorter and I was very concerned about my inadequate vertical rise (no bad jokes, please!).

Since I also ordered the rear fan kit and the side shields, I'm guessing they just assumed I meant the Ultra model, since that's what they shipped. I love it. And my wife prefers the looks of the pedestal to the legs on our old stove (and the pictures of the Princess Parlor I showed her).

I'll probably never use the ash pan, save maybe for a long cold snap in January-February when for weeks at a time I don't want to let the fire burn off. Nice to know it's there, even if I never or rarely use it.

I think you can hardly go wrong with any of the BK models. The magic is in how the stove works...

Click to expand...

Good choice. When does it arrive? Of course we'll need pictures when it does
I like looking at legs too

Click to expand...

Arrived two weeks ago. ;-)

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/83918/

I'm sitting here on a Friday evening, wife and dog already in the bed. I'm enjoying the start of the weekend, two fingers of Woodford Reserve at hand, and am happily entertaining myself with a lovely fire just a few feet away. How do you explain to someone who doesn't burn wood the odd joy - the somehow very special reward - that comes from such a simple thing?

Click to expand...

Duhh. :red:
I remember your post. Didn't read the name when I clicked "quote". I thought it was the OP (tcassavaugh) saying they ordered a stove.

I used the ash pan the first time and it works ok. I also do the coal shovel through the front door every few weeks like it sounds most of us are doing.

Cass...there is a dealer in Selbyville, Delaware...Selbyville Pet And Garden Center...they use to have a King model in the store burning all winter. But, I haven't been in there for over a year so I'm not sure if it is still there. If it is still there, they may be willing to sell that stove at a reduced price.

There is another dealer listed with Blaze King...Doug's Custom Fireplaces in Frankford, Delaware...I think this may be the same person as the Selbyville Pet And Garden Center, but I'm not sure about that.

Last winter was the first winter for me as a wood burner, and I do not regret buying the Blaze King. 24 hour burns were quite common through most of the winter. Although, last winter we had a couple of weeks where the temps never topped 30* even during the day...those couple of weeks I was only getting about 16 hour burns on a single load of white oak. This kept my house about 72* in the living areas and 67* in the bed rooms...this is a 2300 sq. ft. rancher built in 2004 with an open floor plan and the stove in the living room. Last winter I burned 2.5 cords with the stove burning 24 hours a day from late November to early March. Also, I shoveled the ash out of the stove about once a month.

These guys in Alaska getting 24 hour burns with very low outside temps is better than I am able to get at similar outside temps (which we never really have here). I guess their homes are insulated much heavier than mine and sealed much tighter than mine...probably tighter building codes in that colder climate.

I am still very new to wood burning, but if I can help you in any way, don't hesitate to ask...I'll do anything I can. If you want to come over to my house and look it over, you're welcome to visit...don't know how far away you are...

Tcass, Im heating over 2400 sf with my princess insert but if I could have gone with a free standing stove I would have definately gone with the King. I dont know how much more work is involved but in the end I think you'd be much happier with the bigger stove.

They had a Princess burning and let me play with it. they also had what i’m sure was a gimic…...they had a horizontal run from an elbow in the stove to a t connector. the middle of the horizontal run had a section of pipe that had both sides removed so you could see through it….a moveable sleeve was over that so you could cover up or open the holes and see through it. they used it to demonstrate the “clean burn†of the cat. i’m sure it was “smoke and mirrorsâ€, no punn intended but it was still pretty cool. no visable smoke nor smoke smell was detected.

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Thats not a gimic, the cat will burn all the smoke and the cat heats up, thats where you get a lot of the heat, you should be able to touch the exhaust pipe and not burn your hand.

tcassavaugh said:

thanks weatherguy, your square foot heated helps a lot. i would really like to get the King, but putting in another thimbal to replace the 6" one currently there....not to mention about 25+- foot of 8 inch double wall chimney......in addition to the $$$ of the BK King or Princess (they're pretty close in price) keeps me leaning toward the princess. Then again, I'd never have to think about it again. Decisions....Decisions.

I've got a brother in N.Y. State, just west of Pittsfield I'm trying to talk into trading his old earth stove for a Princess.

cass

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I think the Princess would fit your needs and you'd be happy with it if prepping for a King would be too much time and money. If it was a little more work or a little more money I would opt for the King, but if its too much involved I would stay with the Princess.

I heat 2300 square feet with my Princess. Living areas are 73-76 all winter long. I'm loading my stove twice a day right now, 12 hours apart, with full loads. Could not be easier. I'd have opted for a King, but I needed an insert and already had a 6" insulated liner... I remain in love with this stove. I burn far less wood than I ever have before and the burn times are ridiculous.

tcassavaugh said:

They had a Princess burning and let me play with it. they also had what i’m sure was a gimic…...they had a horizontal run from an elbow in the stove to a t connector. the middle of the horizontal run had a section of pipe that had both sides removed so you could see through it….a moveable sleeve was over that so you could cover up or open the holes and see through it. they used it to demonstrate the “clean burn†of the cat. i’m sure it was “smoke and mirrorsâ€, no punn intended but it was still pretty cool. no visable smoke nor smoke smell was detected.

Click to expand...

weatherguy said:

Thats not a gimic, the cat will burn all the smoke and the cat heats up, thats where you get a lot of the heat, you should be able to touch the exhaust pipe and not burn your hand.

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I have to agree with weatherguy. When everything is set right, there is no smoke coming from the chimney...sometimes there is condensation though. Also, when I'm outside, I don't smell any smoke. Weatherguy is correct...I can place my hand on the pipe, about 1 foot above the stove connection, and not burn my hand...if my hand is any closer to the stove, I can touch the pipe but I can't leave my hand there for more than a few seconds or it will burn.