Reloading a BK Princess

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Judge80

New Member
Aug 23, 2022
42
Midwest
Is it best to load a stove N/S or E/W? Also, is it best to rake coals to one side or to the front so a burn will gradually progress, or evenly spread out coals to catch the bottom wood all over after a reload?

Running a 2022 Princess with about 25 feet of pipe if it matters.
 
I run a Princess as well...when time to reload I rake coals to one side and get out as much ash as I can and then level the coals back out and load her up N/S for longest burns times...
 
Depends on the stove, to be honest.

Please add your stove to your signature line, to help us out with info, please.
 
90% of the time I load N/S. If I have a big coal bed I’ll pull it forward and then throw an E/W in the back to even things out.

It’s fun to switch things up a bit too.
 
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I find my princess works best with a solid layer of ash built up on the fire brick, I like to rake my coals forward, while puching excess ash to the rear, then load N/S in a tight stack.
 
Since large pieces move to the top naturally. Shoving everything to the back, then drawing it all forward will leave the ash and pull the coals forward.