We installed our BLAZE KING ULTRA KING in March and burned it until about the end of April. I was just getting a feel for it at that time. This summer I went out and bought 2 Stihl 260 chainsaws ($275 total from craigslist). I LOVE the STIHL'S! Cut about 10 cords of birch and spruce and had about another 2 cords of spruce that was already seasoned. This stove is absolutely amazing. I started it on October 22 and it has not stopped since. I have only had to empty out the ashes 3 times and then only got about a half a bucket each time. To empty it I simply brush the coals to one side and shovel out the ashes without letting it go out. My son even broke the glass on it and I had to replace the glass, but there were enough coals that it did not even go out then! I am planning on having it burn 24/7 until late spring. Our fuel bill had been running over $1000 per fill (every 5-6 weeks). We just had fuel delivered and for 6 weeks it was only $258.! A mere 73 gallons for 6 weeks of extreme cold (and I feel most of that was because our boiler has a tankless heater for our hot water - I am looking for a better way to heat our household water, maybe propane as I already have propane for our kitchen stove. This was a very cold period with many weeks of -30 and colder. I cannot say enough for my love for this BLAZE KING. I load it in the morning before I go to work, and then again at night before I go to bed. The house is 2 stories, 2240 sq foot total. The KING is in the basement and we cut vents above the stove to get the air upstairs. The upstairs stays about 74 degrees (my wife used to always be cold, not anymore). The basement is considerably warmer, but she likes that too. Our house has a split entrance where you can go downstairs or upstairs from the entrance landing. It used to be that cold air blasted under the front door and we had to have one of those weather proof door stops to keep it out, but now when you open the front door you feel the warmth, very nice on a cold day. Also before, when the cold air came under the door it would waft down the stairs and set off our smoke detector. Not anymore. It also seems that as we have kept it going the whole house has gotten warmer. Our bedrooms are upstairs and in the back of the house and when we first started burning we had to keep the bedroom door open to keep it warm, but now it seems like the house is actually radiating and we can close the door and it stays warm. It is amazing. My wife was always cold, always. Now she is toasty and so much happier! One downside is that it seems there are always wood chips in the basement. And a few burn spots in the carpet. I can live with that...
Blaze King Ultra plus installation and chimney repair: $5000
Fairbanks North Star Borough Woodstove Replacement Program: -$2500 (they paid me for swapping out the Osburn)
Toyota Tacoma: $2400
Stihl 260 Chainsaws (1 pro, 1 reg): $275
Broken Glass Replacement: $200
Chaps: $80
Assorted Chains and new 20" bar: $100
Gas & Oil: $60
All the exercise, fresh air and warmth to enjoy life: PRICELESS!
Blaze King Ultra plus installation and chimney repair: $5000
Fairbanks North Star Borough Woodstove Replacement Program: -$2500 (they paid me for swapping out the Osburn)
Toyota Tacoma: $2400
Stihl 260 Chainsaws (1 pro, 1 reg): $275
Broken Glass Replacement: $200
Chaps: $80
Assorted Chains and new 20" bar: $100
Gas & Oil: $60
All the exercise, fresh air and warmth to enjoy life: PRICELESS!