Houston we have a problem? (Air leak?)

[Bster13]

The line of clear glass was not there during my first burning season with my BK Princess Insert.... should I be worried?

 

[xman23]

No, clean glass is nothing worry about. Sit back and enjoy the fire. Here's what's going on.

That glass looks like mine did the first year or two of burning. I would keep it clean but it would blacken up in a few fires. I was convinced this was how this stove would be. It took a few years, but it slowly got better. The oak I burn now is 3-4 years dry. Burning techniques have improved. We have crystal clear glass all burning season. Almost no cleaning.

 

[HotCoals]

There is more air wash at the top of the glass and i think the cat when really hot can help to clean the glass or at least help to keep it cleaner.
I have burnt really dry pine before and even that will smoke the glass if it out gas's fast..which it will.

 

[Warm_in_NH]

Are you referring to the left edge in the pic that appears to be a 1/4" vertical line of clean glass?

If so, that, to me, would indicate a leak. I had similar when my glass clips loosened up last year. Was an easy fix (sort of), just snagged the screws back up then realized I needed a little bit of gasket material between the clips and the glass to get it "snug" and air tight.

 

[Bster13]

Thanks warm in NH. I should have been more specific:http://imgur.com/VdT95l2

I've only had the stove for a year and now that I'm in prime time burning season, going to suck to let it cool down. Argh. Seems to be getting decent burn times anyway though.

 

[xman23]

Looks like Sun Spots.

 

[Warm_in_NH]

When I had a "leak" around the glass, other than the clean edge on the glass there was no difference in the way the stove was running. Would've never noticed if it wasn't for the stripe on the glass.

 

[Bster13]

So it looks like what I consider "the gasket" is perfectly fine...as it should be as the stove is only a year old.

But where the clear streak is on the glass, there is a peeling back of some sort of tape from the glass there. When I purchase a gasket kit, is that part of it? For gaskets I am normally thinking of the braided stuff.

 

[Cory S]

I haven't cleaned my glass in weeks. It stays VERY clear for some reason. Maybe the Drolet has a really well engineered glass wash system? This is after 3 weeks of burning. Mostly Oak and Ash @ 16-21% MC.

 

[Bster13]

That's because u have a secondary burn stove and were talking about CAT stoves. CAT stoves burn at low temps with long burn times. Secondary stoves tend not to have quite as long burn times, but the firebox sure is pretty and the glad stays cleaner.

I haven't cleaned my glass in weeks. It stays VERY clear for some reason. Maybe the Drolet has a really well engineered glass wash system? This is after 3 weeks of burning. Mostly Oak and Ash @ 16-21% MC.

View attachment 144728

 

[Highbeam]

Sure looks like an air leak right under that fouled glass gasket. The leaked air will be relatively cold so when it comes into the firebox it will dribble down to the firebox floor as if it was water.

Non BK owners just don't understand. The junk that builds up on the glass is normal on a BK, especially the older models, and it is not a film or haze. It takes a razor blade to scrape it off. On my non-cat in the shop I clean the white/tan haze with a spritz of window cleaner and a paper towel!

 

[Bster13]

So the part that is leaking around the glass would be replaced by the gasket? I've never replaced one... Anyone have a link to a video by chance?

Sure looks like an air leak right under that fouled glass gasket. The leaked air will be relatively cold so when it comes into the firebox it will dribble down to the firebox floor as if it was water.

Non BK owners just don't understand. The junk that builds up on the glass is normal on a BK, especially the older models, and it is not a film or haze. It takes a razor blade to scrape it off. On my non-cat in the shop I clean the white/tan haze with a spritz of window cleaner and a paper towel!

 

[Highbeam]

The glass has a gasket that wraps around it. Then the glass/gasket is clamped to the door frame by the door gasket channel which is bolted to the door. The door gasket is seperate and must be removed to replace the glass gasket since the nuts are under the door gasket.

 

[Bster13]

If the stove has only been through one heating season, is this a warrantable repair or considered wear and tear?

 

[Bster13]

Blaze King customer support is top notch.... that's all I'm going to say.