We’re bringing on a relatively new stove in the shop that has really turned a lot of heads.
BLAZE KING stoves are boasting some innovative features and serving up some very impressive statistics. Here are just a couple numbers that you’ll find impressive…
90 – That’s how many pounds of wood the King model will hold at one time!
40 – That’s how many hours the King model will burn on a single load of wood!
1 – Yes, owners can typically burn 1 whole cord of wood before cleaning the stove ashes!
82.5- That’s the efficiency rating! How about a wood stove with ratings as high as gas stoves? I love it!
1.86 – That’s the grams of emissions for the King model. By far among the worlds most environment friedly wood stoves.
90 – That’s the percentage of creosote that is incinerated by the King model keeping your chimney cleaner and safer.
6 – My personal looks rating for this stove. Hey, this stove is made to work not to win beauty contests.
The Regency Horizon™ HZ54 offers a wide angle view of a unique and dramatic flame; perfect for contemporary homes and open concept living spaces. Inset reflective panels amplify the appearance of the stunning fire. The incredible styling is backed up by practical function; delivering consistent, controllable, high efficiency heat…even during power outages.
So you’ve just layed down $1500 bucks on a brand new wood stove. You figure you will just vent that thing into the fireplace and save the expense of adding a chimney to the house. That is possible, but you do have some very serious considerations to make…
If you’ve gotten up to date on fire safety codes you might have been pleasantly surprised to learn that according to the law, you can still shove a stovepipe through a metal plate and into the fireplace. If that is your plan, I want to strongly urge you to reconsider. I have several reasons;
The code should be updated to address a severe safety risk associated with this practice. Without connecting the stove vent to the lined chimney area, all masonry parts of the fireplace are coated in creosote and virtually impossible to properly clean. This causes a major fire hazard. At the VERY LEAST you should install a direct-connect package (pictured) to get the flue products into the chimney without coating the fireplace ans smoke shelf.
The stove may require a reduction in chimney diameter to work properly. Today’s high efficiency wood appliances are putting almost all of their heat into the home. This means stack temperatures are much lower than in an older stove. Heat powers the chimney and creates draft. Less heat means weaker draft. Whereas an old stove might have worked great with a 13 inch chimney, your new model may not work at all until you properly size the chimney to fit the appliance.
The absolute best installation for function and safety is to line your chimney from stove to cap with the proper size. Your stove will perform its best and your chimney will always remain in the condition it was in before you added the liner.
With a full reline you will never have to worry about the tolls of age on your masonry chimney. Keeping the heat and corrosives contained in the stainless-steel liner system will ensure your masonry chimney stays like new.
Chimney cleaning is much easier with a direct connect kit than with the “into the fireplace” method which is tedious and practically impossible to do right. However, if you spring for a few more bucks and install a full liner system, cleaning will be a breeze every year. In fact, with a full liner system, you could buy your own brush and rods and do the cleaning yourself saving about $150 per cleaning! Cleaning up after lesser installations will likely require special equipment and you should call a professional.
I hope this article answers a few questions you may have about relining. Remember, if your chimney is damaged or not up to code, you MUST fully reline it to be safe. Also, if you are installing a gas stove you MUST fit the stove with the proper size liner for the stove. If you have any questions or need an evaluation, you can always call on us at 828-367-0031 or shoot me an email to Jack@FireByJack.com for a quick response.
Brrr! Nothing ruins a winter morning faster than a cold draft! A little snooping usually reveals the Fireplace as the culprit.
Even though your damper is closed, the draft still persists. That’s because your old steel damper does not seal completely- it was not designed to seal. Another problem is that it is at the bottom of the chimney. Your chimney is still opened! Your current damper only slows the draft and does nothing to combat varmints, wind, or weather.
The best way to stop cold drafts caused by your fireplace is to install a gasketed top mounted damper. With a top mounted damper, you will enjoy cleaner damper opperation and a superior gasketed, air-tight seal. Plus, the damper also works as a chimney cap, keeping out water and unwelcome critters.
Opening and closing a top-mounted damper is a snap. A small aircraft cable runs down the chimney and is connected to a control handle inside the fireplace and within easy reach. No more climbing inside the fireplace to find the damper handle!
We have these dampers in our online store in a variety of sizes with FREE SHIPPING. Installation is very easy. It will take you longer to set up your ladder than to install the damper.
You have lots of choices, but which one is right for you?
When to choose an insert – When converting a wood burning fireplace to gas or to burn wood more efficiently. A fireplace insert is a convenient and affordable way to convert your existing wood burning fireplace to natural gas or liquid propane gas (LPG). Perhaps you still want to burn wood or pellets, but for efficient heating purposes more so than ambiance. Inserts fit into your existing fireplace and use the existing chimney. To determine the size you will need just measure the opening of your fireplace – (width x height x depth) and give Jack a call or email. We’ll help you select the correct fireplace insert for your home.
When to choose direct vent gas - When you don’t have a chimney or when you want the most efficient sealed-combustion design. A Direct Vent Fireplace is a perfect solution for homes that don’t have an existing chimney. The sealed combustion units draw outside air in for combustion and simultaneously exhaust the flue gasses out a small exhaust vent. The fireplaces can be installed in almost any room in your house*…several options and styles are available. You can have a direct-vent appliance configured as an insert, stove, or fireplace. Choices abound with direct-vent technology; the most advanced available and the target of the most agressive investment by manufacturers.
When to choose a stove – Can be used with or without an existing chimney. Freestanding stoves are an attractive and functional addition to any room. Stoves are available with multiple venting options and can go virtually anywhere in your house. Cast iron and steel stoves are admired for their esthetic beauty and are available in a variety of colors and options to suit your every need. Stoves are available in wood, gas, coal, oil, pellet and kerosene. Some gas stoves are unvented and require no chimney at all and manufactured chimney systems are available if your home has no chimney.
When to choose Gas Logs – When converting a wood fireplace to a gas fireplace to keep the fireplace look. LPG and natural gas log sets fit easily inside your existing wood fireplace providing fireplace ambiance with added convenience and less mess. No more lugging wood and dirt into the house. With a gas log set you enjoy the fireplace and robust flames while adding thermostat or remote control convenience. Jack has personally installed thousands of gas logs in fireplaces. Contact Jack to find out if your fireplace is a good canditate for conversion.
*Local building codes may prohibit installation in certain rooms.
We’re bringing on a relatively new stove in the shop that has really turned a lot of heads. 
So you’ve just layed down $1500 bucks on a brand new wood stove. You figure you will just vent that thing into the fireplace and save the expense of adding a chimney to the house. That is possible, but you do have some very serious considerations to make…
Brrr! Nothing ruins a winter morning faster than a cold draft! A little snooping usually reveals the Fireplace as the culprit.
You have lots of choices, but which one is right for you?