First fire in rehab'd BIS

[qyota]

Work is done rejuvenating an older BIS model 1. Fully cleaned, new brick, new baffle, new log rack, etc. I thought a small fire was in order. Draft was decent, and when it got going, it burned hot and fast. Air was whistling past the door seam (between the doors). I will likely need to find a seal for that. Anyway, it's a success!

 

[moresnow]

Always nice when a project comes together! Enjoy. Where in N. Minn?

 

[qyota]

Bemidji. We're looking forward to our first snow of the year (quite late in the season) tonight. 6-10 inches, more in some areas.

 

[moresnow]

Just watched the weather. Its on the way for you guys. Spent many years riding up that way with sleds. Snowmobiling has slipped down a few notches of importance. Heading to the Flo. Keys Dec. 1 fishing for awhile with a buddy from Moose Lake! He still thinks I'am nuts living in a cornfield! And I am. You guys live in really nice territory. I miss it. 70+ here today

 

[qyota]

Two more successful fires in the BIS this weekend. I'm actually impressed at the heat coming from it, and from the passive/convective ducts at the top. I made a gasket for between the glass doors, and that seems to be working well. Even with both air adjusters shut completely off, the fire has plenty of air to work with. I can basically shut it all the way down shortly after the fire is going. While that sounds great, it means I have no control after that point, should the fire get out of hand. Not sure I have any choices here other than to load a bigger split to try to slow the burn.

 

[moresnow]

Looks nice. Also looks hungry! I'd be studying how to regulate the intake air somehow a bit. I am thinking a couch or chair in front of that and it would soon be lights out!

 

[qyota]

Yes, the air control seems to be worthless. Fully closed, the fire blasts. Not sure where else it can get air. Perhaps the glass gaskets are toast? That's all I can think of.

I got the top of the box to 600F with just a few small splits tonight. Air coming out of the "gravity vents" was about 275F. Those 4 small splits are just about gone after 1 hour. The wood is quite dry, yes, but I can't get this thing damped enough, it seems.

 

[moresnow]

Changed the glass gasket/seal on my stove tonight. Huge differance in burn control. I had a 4" piece that had come loose. Must have been that way for a long time. Really impressive how low I can get the stove to run now. Wish I would have noticed this a long time ago!

 

[qyota]

OK, that's my next step. I'll likely have to cut down some 1/8" flat gasket, since I can't find OEM stuff anymore.

 

[burntwood]

Two more successful fires in the BIS this weekend. I'm actually impressed at the heat coming from it, and from the passive/convective ducts at the top. I made a gasket for between the glass doors, and that seems to be working well. Even with both air adjusters shut completely off, the fire has plenty of air to work with. I can basically shut it all the way down shortly after the fire is going. While that sounds great, it means I have no control after that point, should the fire get out of hand. Not sure I have any choices here other than to load a bigger split to try to slow the burn.

Another BIS 1 owner here also trying to control the intake air. Could you explain what you used for a gasket between the doors?
Also, I've previously used 5/8" gasket rope for the doors just because it seems to be the right size for the channel but I'm wondering if I should try using 3/4" to give a better seal. At http://www.woodstoves-fireplaces.com/bis-1-2-door-gasket/ a 3/4" gasket is displayed for the BIS 1.2 however nothing is shown for the BIS 1.0.

 

[qyota]

Welcome! Nice to see another BIS in action. I think I used 3/4" rope on my doors...might have even been 7/8". I just took the old rope out and tried to find the best match at the store. The doors seem to seal well. I do need to replace the glass gaskets, however, as they appear to be worn out. That's a much trickier find, as it's very small stuff. I found some 1/8" flat fiberglass tape that I'm using between the doors, that might just work around the glass...haven't tried yet. I anticipate fighting the screws that hold the glass panels in.

 

[burntwood]

Welcome! Nice to see another BIS in action. I think I used 3/4" rope on my doors...might have even been 7/8". I just took the old rope out and tried to find the best match at the store. The doors seem to seal well. I do need to replace the glass gaskets, however, as they appear to be worn out. That's a much trickier find, as it's very small stuff. I found some 1/8" flat fiberglass tape that I'm using between the doors, that might just work around the glass...haven't tried yet. I anticipate fighting the screws that hold the glass panels in.

Thanks qyota. I'm going to redo my doors with 3/4. I used 3/8" for the glass panels. Seems to be the right size. I don't recall having any difficulty with the screws.

 

[qyota]

Oh, I should also update that I removed the log rack that I thought I needed. It only contributed to a too-fast burn rate. With firebrick on the floor of the BIS, and a layer of coal/ashes, the fire breathes just fine.