Help, tune up Blaze King KEI insert

[wildwildwest]

New home for us, built in 1952.

The label on the Blaze King insert reads Model KEI. NO M129819. I searched BlazeKing.com and found only KEI1300 though I have no idea if that is the correct manual. Does this need vacuuming like the new pellet stove I am buying for the other end of the house? Or just scooping out the ashes like my old Schrader?

What parts will I need to give it a proper tune up? I think I need a new catalyst combustor, door gasket and bypass gasket, what else? I know I need a new thermometer that seats itself on top and handle ends, they were not here. Most of the home was in disrepair when we bought it so I assume the stove is too, I would like to start fresh with new parts in this stove for the upcoming winter, it could be extra harsh like last year. I also googled a few online stove parts stores but the search engines do not recognize KEI. Any ideas?


We had the chimney cleaned last fall, but late winter the stove started putting out less heat then leaking smoke. We burned several cords of seasoned wood last season (-27* in feb and jan), and the last few months the wood was not quite dry. Its all we could get....... I can understand the wet wood burning cooler but not the stove smoking?

I will get both chimneys cleaned again this fall. What other maintenance is there to be done?

I appreciate any advice, pointers or guidance.

WWW

 

[jeff_t]

You can call BK directly. Or pm BKVP. They are a bunch of pretty helpful folks.

KEI 1300 looks like the right manual. KE means it is a king, I means insert. KEJ would be the freestanding stove version. Posting a pic might help.

What type/how tall is the chimney? The smoking sounds like a draft issue, and probably also related to low flue temps from burning the wet wood.

 

[BKVP]

Yes, KEI is the 1300. Part number for the door handles is #0113. You can call our offices at 509-522-2730 and get the part numbers for other parts. Door gasket is 1 1/4" and by pass rope gasket is 5/8". You can order the combustor from www.firecatcombustors.com. The KEI 1300 had a rectangular opening for the flue. We made an adapter back then (early 80's) for the unit to bolt on if someone wanted to have a liner. If you need that part (liners are a good thing in older chimneys) you need to fabricate it as the part is no longer available.

In my staff, you can ask for Patti. She is extremely knowledgeable and built the KEI's back then.

They were great inserts, but parts are somewhat limited being 30+ years old.

Thank you,
Chris

 

[Highbeam]

In my staff, you can ask for Patti. She is extremely knowledgeable and built the KEI's back then.
They were great inserts, but parts are somewhat limited being 30+ years old.

She was building them and they have been out of production for over 30 years? I am impressed with your employee longevity. Must be a good place to work.

 

[Woody Stover]

I would go for a glass gasket too, if you're replacing the others....if it has glass.

We made an adapter back then (early 80's) for the unit to bolt on if someone wanted to have a liner. If you need that part (liners are a good thing in older chimneys)

Yeah, stick a liner in there if you want better performance, easier cleaning and a safer setup.

I am impressed with your employee longevity. Must be a good place to work.

Got any job openings around here? I'm still good for a couple hours a day...

 

[wildwildwest]

wow thank you all for great information! Are there crevices that need to vacummed after scooping ashes?

 

[wildwildwest]

Yes, KEI is the 1300. Part number for the door handles is #0113. You can call our offices at 509-522-2730 and get the part numbers for other parts. Door gasket is 1 1/4" and by pass rope gasket is 5/8". You can order the combustor from www.firecatcombustors.com. The KEI 1300 had a rectangular opening for the flue. We made an adapter back then (early 80's) for the unit to bolt on if someone wanted to have a liner. If you need that part (liners are a good thing in older chimneys) you need to fabricate it as the part is no longer available.

In my staff, you can ask for Patti. She is extremely knowledgeable and built the KEI's back then.

They were great inserts, but parts are somewhat limited being 30+ years old.

Thank you,
Chris

Fantastic! Patti helped me while putting up with my whisper because of laryngitis!

She named off :
wood door handles, door gasket, door glue, bypass gasket. I will get new cat from the above website. Any other parts that get regular wear that need special maintenance or replacing?

Should I tune this on up or look into a new model? Part of me wants the assurance of a stove that doesnt require electricity as it goes out often here.

thanks!

 

[BKVP]

She was building them and they have been out of production for over 30 years? I am impressed with your employee longevity. Must be a good place to work.

Average tenure of both office and production staff in Walla Walla is 21 years. It is a great industry and great company to work with.

 

[BKVP]

Fantastic! Patti helped me while putting up with my whisper because of laryngitis!

She named off :
wood door handles, door gasket, door glue, bypass gasket. I will get new cat from the above website. Any other parts that get regular wear that need special maintenance or replacing?

Should I tune this on up or look into a new model? Part of me wants the assurance of a stove that doesnt require electricity as it goes out often here.

thanks!

Those parts should do it. While you have the old cat out use a flex hose and vacuum all that you can.. If you put in a liner...then you'll pull the unit out and get even a better look.

Chris

 

[wildwildwest]

Here of is a pic of the stove before we bought the home. We moved into it Oct 2013.

 

[wildwildwest]

She was building them and they have been out of production for over 30 years? I am impressed with your employee longevity. Must be a good place to work.

She was quite kind and had an endearing local accent

 

[Highbeam]

She was quite kind and had an endearing local accent

"Local" accent? Like local to walla walla? Is that like a Seattle accent? I had nice young gal answer my questions when I called in to register my stove.

 

[BrotherBart]

"Local" accent? Like local to walla walla? Is that like a Seattle accent? I had nice young gal answer my questions when I called in to register my stove.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Northwest_English

 

[begreen]

It's subtle, but there is a difference.

Seattle Accent: Walla Walla Accent:

 

[Highbeam]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Northwest_English

AKA "General American" I understand that the local accent where you live is not an accent to you but have never heard anybody refer to our local language as an accent. You go to the movie theater and watch a movie and they speak the same as we do in WA.

Do they have an Mississippi version of regular movies or do they just use subtitles?

 

[BrotherBart]

Sho nuff.

 

[BKVP]

It's subtle, but there is a difference.

Seattle Accent: View attachment 135681 Walla Walla Accent: View attachment 135682

You forgot the studded tires BeGreen!

 

[begreen]

In July? I thought that only happened in Ballard. LOL

 

[BrotherBart]

Put a Chrysler badge on it and it goes from Northwest Accent to Northwest Attitude.

 

[begreen]

Put a Dodge badge on it and it becomes a Northwest Challenger. Don't wash it for a few years and it becomes NW Grunge.

 

[wildwildwest]

You all crack me up! It was apparent to me that she was raised in a northern US state, but without the east coast influence....thus NW US lol. I am convinced I do not have an accent being raised as 5th generation in Colorado, progenitor 1869...... though I am sure others may differ? I appreciate the chuckles either way!

 

[wildwildwest]

You forgot the studded tires BeGreen!

I also grew up with rear wheel drive cars using studded tires year round.

 

[begreen]

They are only allowed here from Nov 1 to Mar 31. Studs tear up the road surface too much to leave them on year round.

 

[wildwildwest]

AACK! Secondary pipe is almost frozen in place. Any ideas? I don't want to break anything.

 

[BKVP]

Get a bigger hammer? Spray with rust penetrating chemical...sit overy night and then tap on it. The vibration may help break it free.