New Blaze King Installs

[BKOhio]

Hello everyone:

I am a new member to this forum (1st post) and new to wood stoves and really appreciate the expertise and discussion you all provide. I have always wanted a wood stove. I have been following for the past few months, trying to best educate myself prior to our upcoming installations. Before we proceed, I thought it would be best to solicit advice / experience from those who have many years experience. I have found an installer / dealer who has been very helpful. I am trying to optimize the build / planning before he arrives on site for his first visit which will be soon. I have also called Blaze King and spoke with customer service. They have been extremely helpful and it makes me happy that we chose these stoves.

Install #1:

King 40 in basement masonry alcove:

• This will go into a new masonry chimney flue - 12 x 12 terra cotta
  • there is an 8.25” noncombustible (looks like cement to me) opening in roof of the masonry alcove in preparation surrounded by firebrick (pic).
  • Planning insulated flexible smooth stainless liner, vertical appliance connector with stainless terra cotta top plate and 8” round chimney cap.
  • Would like opinion on chimney cap - there will also be a stone plate at top of all 3 flues in this chimney (other 2 flues are for open wood-burning fireplaces on first floor) - see attached rendering pic.
  • Run is approximately 31 feet to top of flue
  • Planning for Ventis double wall telescoping black chimney connector (28-50”) from stove to alcove opening (Just over 41”).
• Alcove opening is 54” wide x 26” deep x 80” height
  • alcove in center of basement
  • between rec /living room on one side and bedroom on other side. Hallway on left and small walled off dead space on right of alcove/chimney (pic)
  • Will have enough hearth in front to be at least 16” in front of door (hopefully more if possible).
• Fresh air intake?
  • thinking rear of alcove at level of air intake on rear of firebox (center of 4” hole around 8” off alcove floor) - will have to bore holes - straight back then 90 degrees to right for exit.
  • will pipe intake to rear (3’) and then direct right lateral (5’) into vented dead space adjacent to masonry mass (dead space is 2' x 3’ x 9’ height) - pic.
  • I cannot get to outside for air intake without a rise of approximately 10” to get over poured foundation wall (see right of pic).
  • My understanding is that the outside intake vent cannot be above the level of the firebox (if directly connected).
  • Therefore (option 1) - planning to vent the above described dead space so that the air intake will pull make up air into the dead space through the exterior vent.
  • Plan on vent being 5-7 feet above grade (walk out basement).
  • Or option 2 - bore 4” hole through short foundation wall (10” thick) to connect directly to outside - would need shroud around outside vent to protect from snow drift / leaves.
    • not keen on drilling through poured wall unless no other option.
• Fan kit (for alcove)
  • currently no power planned in alcove.
  • What is best placement of power for fan kit?
  • Assume I can’t put receptacle in masonry alcove so where is best location?
  • Run cord from outside?
  • manual states either fan or rear heat shield required for residential alcove.
  • Any other options for moving heat out of alcove?

That was the easy one…..

Install #2:

Princess 32 in attached garage / shop:

• Install in corner furthest from house
• Overall, garage / shop is 1800 SF
• Cement floor
• Straight up roof penetration
• Air intake kit with direct attachment
• Would elevate on pad with Ultra Pedestal to get to 18” off floor.
• Will this meet code? Insurable? Most importantly, safe?

Thanks to all in advance for your thoughtful ideas / criticisms / scolding.

BKOhio

 

[Tron]

Alcove installs can be tricky with a thermostat stove. The thermostat is at the rear of the stove where the intake is, and heat can accumulate in the alcove (especially if it it not open at the top as yours is) and this turns down the thermostat because of the temperature difference between the room and the rear of the alcove.

 

[BKOhio]

Thank you, Tron.

That was my assumption/understanding. I figured this is why the fan kit is required for alcove installations. I also saw in a separate post where someone installed a ceiling fan just in front of their alcove to help with dissipation of heat. Wondering if this is an option we should pursue in addition to the fan kit. Thank you again.

 

[kborndale]

Wood stoves are not allowed in garages in the USA. Is the basement insulated? If not do that first or a third of the heat will go to warming the walls and earth. With a 30+ ft chimney make sure your liner is insulated and you will need a damper. Have your wood yet? Get that first so it has at least a year to season before you use it. Don't believe the wood seller when they tell you their wood is fully seasoned because it is not.

 

[Burnin Since 1991]

x2 on garage

 

[stoveliker]

In addition, make sure the flues are not ending at the same height to avoid smoke siphoning back in another flue, leading to stinking rooms. (E.g. smoke from the stove being pulled into a fireplace.)

 

[BKOhio]

Thank you kborndale, Burning Since 1991 and stoveliker. The garage stove will be eliminated from order. Not sure why architect approved and plans approved by village but will take that stove out - simply not allowed it seems. Also, will address flue height issue with builder and masons. They haven’t reached the top yet so should be able to address. Thanks again all. Very helpful.

 

[Burnin Since 1991]

If you will have vehicles in the "garage" then that won't mix with the stove and is forbidden. Also where there are combustibles present/ stored. If it's only a garage in name and none of the above applies, then good to go!

 

[kborndale]

If you will have vehicles in the "garage" then that won't mix with the stove and is forbidden. Also where there are combustibles present/ stored. If it's only a garage in name and none of the above applies, then good to go!

I would get that in writing from your insurance company that they are ok with you putting a wood stove in your garage with or without cars or combustibles being present.

 

[Highbeam]

I would get that in writing from your insurance company that they are ok with you putting a wood stove in your garage with or without cars or combustibles being present.

Even I wouldn't put a stove in an attached garage in the US. Canada is totally fine with it! Your insurance company will likely be more stringent than the permitting authority.

So you are currently building this chimney? Like today with clay liners? Ugh. Definitely will need a way to control draft on that 31' tall stack. Nice choice on the king though.

I take my fresh air for the stove from the ventilated crawlspace under my home. Since you are going sideways I am a bit leery of ending the intake pipe in a hidden compartment. You might not notice a flow reversal that could pump smoke and fire into your walls.

 

[stoveliker]

IF you put a stove in a garage, put it higher. I think Canada allows it IF you have it off the ground by (18?) inches.
Gasoline vapors stay low to the ground is why

 

[BKOhio]

Thanks again everyone.

Garage stove is going to have to go (though saddening).

Highbeam, good thoughts on air intake in dead space. Will investigate direct horizontal connection to outside through concrete wall without vertical rise. Thank you.

Anyone have any thoughts on power for fan kit? Or alternatives to fan kit for alcove?

 

[Dieselhead]

What’s behind the block wall? Can you drill through it and do a surface mount box for fan kit power?

 

[BKOhio]

What’s behind the block wall? Can you drill through it and do a surface mount box for fan kit power?

Yes we can. It’s a bedroom but that would work. I could plug into receptacle in that room adjacent to masonry. Maybe conceal in a small wall built in or cabinet. I assume the cords are heat rated so going straight back from stove through rear of alcove seems as good as any other direction or maybe even less exposure. Maybe run the cord just below the air intake vent (right next to cool intake air?). Conduit? I will call BK to ask how long the cord is on the fan kit.

Thanks Dieselhead.

 

[Dieselhead]

Yes we can. It’s a bedroom but that would work. I could plug into receptacle in that room adjacent to masonry. Maybe conceal in a small wall built in or cabinet. I assume the cords are heat rated so going straight back from stove through rear of alcove seems as good as any other direction or maybe even less exposure. Maybe run the cord just below the air intake vent (right next to cool intake air?). Conduit? I will call BK to ask how long the cord is on the fan kit.

Thanks Dieselhead.

I was thinking put a surface mount box in the alcove, with the box being powered with BX or romex whatever meets code ran through the block wall tapped into a outlet on the backside of that wall which is going to be a bedroom by the sounds of it. I think running an extension cord for lack of better terms through a block wall and plugging it into an outlet in the bedroom would be a bit hokey.

 

[BKOhio]

I was thinking put a surface mount box in the alcove, with the box being powered with BX or romex whatever meets code ran through the block wall tapped into a outlet on the backside of that wall which is going to be a bedroom by the sounds of it. I think running an extension cord for lack of better terms through a block wall and plugging it into an outlet in the bedroom would be a bit hokey.

I see. Agree with that. Will check with electrician for code requirement. Thank you.