Operating instructions
34 Date Printed: 4/7/11
File: G:/pubdata/Manuals\english manuals\OM-KE/PE.pub OM KE/PE 1006 Version 1.10 Revised: December 2010
Operation
1. When nearly all the wood in the firebox is burning, finish loading the stove. Lay the wood front to back, as far to the
back of the stove as possible. At this time you should close the bypass door.
CAUTION: Do not abuse the glass door by slamming it or striking it. Do not force the door closed if there is wood in the
firebox that is obstructing it.
Other than during the initial startup sequence, DO NOT burn the stove with the by-pass open. Leaving the by-pass open
may APPEAR to achieve a hotter fire (the flames look more active) but, in fact, just the opposite is true. Bypassing the
catalyst allows as much as 50% of the potential fuel - and therefore heat - to go directly up the chimney. These Blaze
King catalytic stoves produce their greatest amount of heat when the by-pass is closed, and the catalyst is active.
Probably the least understood requirement in maintaining a good fire is that of establishing a good base of coals. Many
new stove users hesitate to load enough wood to sustain a fire. Put as much fuel into the stove as it will hold. Don't be
afraid to fill it completely. With the Blaze King automatic thermostat, the wood will only burn at the rate set on the
thermostat. Loading with a half load of fuel, and therefore reloading more often, causes the catalyst to lose efficiency and
may result in a faster creosote deposit. A good bed of hot coals will maintain a more even temperature as well as getting
the new load of wood started easily.
2. With optional fans. After the firebox has warmed up (about 30 minutes) turn the fans on. The fans should be run at
low when the stove is burning on low. With the stove on medium, set the fans to medium. Set them on high when the
stove is burning high.
3. Let the fire burn on setting 2-3 for 20-30 minutes, or until the fire is well established, then turn the thermostat to the
desired setting.
OPTIMUM THERMOSTAT SETTING
Any thermostat position between 1 and 3 will produce the desired clean burning characteristics. However, since each
application can vary, you may find it necessary to operate the thermostat to suit your application. A thermostat setting of
3 will produce a maximum heat which is more than suitable for heating the average size home.
1. Starting the fire (see Initial Startup Sequence, page 32 and the Addendum). Each stove/home/installation/
homeowner combination works a little differently. The first several times you fuel the stove, it may not react as you
expect. A little experimentation may be needed to find the right combination of fuel and thermostat setting to achieve
the maximum efficiency. This is one of the joys of burning wood. You, the wood burner, make it work. And you can
see what happens as it is working. Be Patient. The air/fuel mixture and temperature must be stabilized before
maximum combustion efficiency can be achieved.
2. As the combustor temperature (as indicated by the thermometer on top of the stove) passes into the active zone,
further adjustment to achieve the desired room temperature should be made in small increments (for instance, from
position 3 to position 2.5) for the most effective cleaner burning operation. Even this small change may reduce the
clean burn slightly for 10-15 minutes. Changes, generally speaking, should be made as few times each day as
possible. When the thermostat knob is moved from high to low, more smoke is produced, so the catalyst has more
fuel; consequently the catalyst thermometer may register a higher heat for several hours after the thermostat is
turned down.
3. When you reload the stove you will reduce the clean burning characteristics until the new wood gets a good start.
4. The thermostat is adjusted at the factory and should not be tampered with. if the thermostat breaks, the damper will
close automatically.
FAN OPERATION (Optional on KE / PE Standard on KEJ / PEJ)
If you have the Optional Fan Assembly installed, The fan should be adjusted to it’s lowest setting until your fire has been
established for 30 minutes. After the thirty minute fire start up time the fan speed adjustment should match the
thermostat control setting, i.e. if your stove is set at medium then your fan should also be set at medium, low—low,
high—high etc. Note: the fan speed is at its maximum immediately after the “on” position and reduces as you turn
clockwise.
The fan assembly is controlled by an on/off temperature sensor as well as a fan speed control. The fire will have to heat
the stove to the predetermined sensor temperature before the fan will come on. Usually this takes about 1 hour if the
stove is started from cold.