Ashford 30 Smoke Smell, again

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Good eye! Halibut fillet company..

They do great work. In Homer AK.
 
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BKVP reached out today and is coordinating with my dealer to come install a thicker gasket. I’m really hoping this will solve my issue and will continue to work with BKVP to find a solution if it does not. I will try to keep everyone updated.

I stand corrected about my wood moisture. I used my moisture meter on my 5 year old red oak the other night and it was consistently 15.2-15.4%. Dry enough to eliminate this as a possible cause, right?

If you can find out this thicker gasket characteristics maybe we could order it from the manufacturer. This is the kind of modification that if it works I would like to try doing this summer.
 
I just wanted to update this post. In regards to Ashford 30 models, we sent all 8 folks a kit of items to update the door gasket. This gasket is larger in diameter and more dense. It works only on the AF30 because the face of the stove (to which the door is attached) is adjustable.

A few of the 8 have updated their reports in other threads that the smoke smell is either entirely gone or 99% gone.

To these 8 folks, thank you very much for your patience. We are not certain why these limited number of units had an issue, but we are glad they are improved. Once each of the 8 has their update installed, we hope this will bring a level of satisfaction to all.....
 
In the disposable economy we now live in, companies are happy to take to take your money, get you out the door, and don't care if they see you again. Quality control, customer service, virtually non-existent - and it doesn't seem to matter if you pay $500 for that white refrigerator or $10k for the built-in one. If a company does step up, it's usually because you've spent a good portion of your life haranguing them on the phone for hours, or sending dozens of emails.
Hats off to Chris @BKVP , and Dennis at BK Penticton, for stepping up, immediately and without question. It's exactly what customer service should be, many thanks to both of you.
 
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Hats of to Chris @BKVP , and Dennis at BK Penticton, for stepping up, immediately and without question. It's exactly what customer service should be, many thanks to both of you.
I’m glad you said something. It means less, coming from an accused BK fanboy like me, but Chris has gone out of his way to support me with the one issue I’ve had with my BK’s. That’s even when the issue is admittedly self-inflicted, by me violating their installation specifications.

I will say that I was not always a fan of BK, before I owned one, but they’ve won me over. I can’t see myself buying another stove from any other company, in the foreseeable future.
 
I’m glad you said something. It means less, coming from an accused BK fanboy like me, but Chris has gone out of his way to support me with the one issue I’ve had with my BK’s. That’s even when the issue is admittedly self-inflicted, by me violating their installation specifications.

I will say that I was not always a fan of BK, before I owned one, but they’ve won me over. I can’t see myself buying another stove from any other company, in the foreseeable future.
We were reluctant at first as well. My only touchstone with a cat stove was circa 1984, family member had one. I've run a few EPA stoves over the years, and a smoke dragon as well. As appliances in your home go, they're pretty easy to use, no electronics or mechanical parts to fail, just stuff it full of wood -repeat every 4-8 hours.
When we had our issue with the leaky gasket, I did a lot of trouble shooting of my own. I pm'd Chris and he got back to me the next day and I had responses sometimes late at night when most of us would have been in bed, or pm's back within minutes of sending one. I'm not sure he wasn't pm'ing from a deer blind or the back of a boat when he should have been enjoying his day off !

Same thing with Dennis at BK Penticton. No telephone tag, no waiting for a call back - front office put me right through to Dennis and we had a great, productive, 20 minute trouble shooting session on the phone. Gasket was courriered out the next day - problem solved.

After 35+ years of buying cars and appliances and dealing/fighting with companies to get warranty work done, the response from BK was a pleasant surprise. Again, it's what outstanding customer service should look like.
 
I just asked our BK rep in Quebec to get more informations about the gasket upgrade. Next week he said he has a meeting with Chris and this will be on the meeting agenda.

I sincerely thank you Chris for your leadership and professionalism!
 
And just as I thought things were getting quiet and stale on this forum.....
 
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I'm anxiously waiting for my dealer to come on Thursday to install the new gasket. Once the glue dries I'll be firing it up with some super dry wood to see what's what. I'll be back hopefully reporting the good news!
 
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I'm anxiously waiting for my dealer to come on Thursday to install the new gasket. Once the glue dries I'll be firing it up with some super dry wood to see what's what. I'll be back hopefully reporting the good news!

Good luck! I hope it solves your issues. I have had very few small issues with mine and BK has taken care of them with out me even asking them too. I bought the stove for 2 reasons. 1. they had good reviews and I have it in a smaller room and was worried about it cooking me out. 2. Seeing BK on this site working with customers and doing what ever it took to make it work sold me.

Not a BK fanboy but I have stayed at a holiday inn.
 
I am happy to report that the denser gasket has resolved my issues. I am getting no smoke smell at all.

A huge shout out goes to @BKVP for his help and attention to this matter. I am one happy customer today!
 
Yay! That has to be a huge relief for you.
 
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huge shout out goes to @BKVP for his help and attention to this matter.
Did he thank you for beta-testing the stove and saving the company all the money they might have spent on R & D? ;) ;lol
Seriously, glad you got it fixed. No one should have to live with smoke in the house.
 
Woohoo! I was really hoping this one would get resolved. You’ve been thru the long slog, here.
 
Woohoo! I was really hoping this one would get resolved. You’ve been thru the long slog, here.
Yes, yes I have. Grateful to finally be smoke free and still get to own a Blaze King!
 
Thought I would post an update on the smoke smell with my Sirocco 30.1.

I received a 1 inch, more dense gasket from BK Canada back in January. I installed and it certainly helped, however, I will get the occasional whiff from time to time.

I'm wondering if you all received the 1 inch gasket or the standard 7/8 size? The1 inch was so big I had the door latch adjusted to hardly any thread left on the retaining nut...which i was able to eventually cinch up as the gasket broke in. A bit scary for the first couple fires...

Where did you guys place the seam? I put mine bottom, about 3 inches towards center from handle side as per BK to rule out any escape from hinge side.

Cheers
 
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Thought I would post an update on the smoke smell with my Sirocco 30.1.

I received a 1 inch, more dense gasket from BK Canada back in January. I installed and it certainly helped, however, I will get the occasional whiff from time to time.

I'm wondering if you all received the 1 inch gasket or the standard 7/8 size? The1 inch was so big I had the door latch adjusted to hardly any thread left on the retaining nut...which i was able to eventually cinch up as the gasket broke in. A bit scary for the first couple fires...

Where did you guys place the seam? I put mine bottom, about 3 inches towards center from handle side as per BK to rule out any escape from hinge side.

Cheers
I put mine above the latch where there's less build-up on the glass and made sure I offset the inner and outer braid.
P_20180111_141102.jpg
 
What a lovefest ! Will someone please get this BKVP a drink ?
If and when we finally buy the "new and improved" VC Flexburn, maybe the HHT/VC company will take a look at BK's response and service. Anyone listening ?
You too Jotul, PE, etc........... Not you at Woodstock.
 
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I sent a drawing of my wood stove setup to the Rep in Quebec. They will get back to me with a solution hopefully in the next couple of weeks
 
I just wanted to update this post. In regards to Ashford 30 models, we sent all 8 folks a kit of items to update the door gasket. This gasket is larger in diameter and more dense. It works only on the AF30 because the face of the stove (to which the door is attached) is adjustable.

A few of the 8 have updated their reports in other threads that the smoke smell is either entirely gone or 99% gone.

To these 8 folks, thank you very much for your patience. We are not certain why these limited number of units had an issue, but we are glad they are improved. Once each of the 8 has their update installed, we hope this will bring a level of satisfaction to all.....
I have been watching this thread. I was on the fence for a Ashford 30, but not anymore. You just sold the stove and Blaze King brand to me. I am very impressed with you and Blaze King. The way you and Blaze King treated this customer is just awesome. I will be ordering a Ashford 30 soon. That's the way to treat customers. Great work!
 
I have been watching this thread. I was on the fence for a Ashford 30, but not anymore. You just sold the stove and Blaze King brand to me. I am very impressed with you and Blaze King. The way you and Blaze King treated this customer is just awesome. I will be ordering a Ashford 30 soon. That's the way to treat customers. Great work!
Thank you....