Can I cook on the Ashford if the power goes out?
The most valuable part of this post, for my money, is regarding the Jotul customer service (I think most of us already know BK is sending you checks every time you give them a shout out at this point ;-) ). I find such information personally valuable, and hopefully, someone from Jotul is listening and they get with the program here in the 21st century. About the customer service model.I have two Ashford 30’s, and I can’t say enough good things about them. There is really no other brand I’d even consider, if buying another stove, today.
BKVP has acknowledged there have been a very small pool of users with a smoke smell issue. The total count was less than a dozen, out of many thousands of stoves sold. I believe by last count, all but two of these cases have been resolved. There was no single smoking gun, each situation and solution was unique. What’s important is that BK supported these users, and resolved their issue, in at least one case sending out a new stove. You should read the thread, and satisfy yourself, but it appeared BK went above and beyond to make sure every one of these few cases gets resolved. Admirable.
On stove performance, BK is a Ferrari in a world of Camrys. No other stove can match their range of burn rate. Heck, most can’t even cover a third of their range of burn rates.
Their thermostat is the shiznit, increasing air as the fire wanes, to maintain more constant output throughout the burn. They’re so rote and automatic, some accuse them of being boring.
I load my stoves on a schedule that suits me, namely every 12, 24, or 36 hours, and just set the thermostat to the setting that will consistently nail those burn times. It is very consistent, in all weather conditions. I’m no longer slave to feeding two stoves on the schedule they demand, like I was with my Jotuls. Find me another 2.65 cu ft stove that can burn 30+ hours, and I’m all ears, but I don’t think it exists.
I’d not even consider buying a non-cat, when there’s better tech out there, but some like dickering with inferior technology. To each his own. We see a lot of folks here switching from non cat to modern cat stoves, but very rarely the other way around.
The only issue I’ve ever experienced with my Ashford 30’s, having about 60 cords thru the pair, was self-inflicted. I have one installed on a chimney that exceeds their max draft spec by more than 3x (it’s a very, very tall fully-insulated chimney), and this causes so much turbulence of ash flying around in the stove that it would occasionally plug the combustor on very high burn rates. This seems to have been resolved by installing a key damper to throttle the draft down closer to the BK spec, and I believe I’d have issues running ANY stove in this pipe. I’d not even think of running a runaway non-cat on a chimney like this, it’d likely become a puddle of molten iron on my floor.
You mention Woodstock, and almost all of the same can be said about them. Another great company, with great technology, who stands behind their users. I can’t say anything bad about Woodstock, except I don’t think their stoves are very attractive, and soapstone would never work in my (unique) house.
I would never buy a Jotul again. They flat-out refuse to speak with or support their users. I don’t have any desire to deal with a company like that. They also only make non-cats.
The Ashford firebox is 2.75 sq. ft. I just want to make sure that I am buying a stove that is big enough. I live I. central Wisconsin. It gets plenty cold here.@Newburnerwisconsin , air sealing, insulation thickness and # kids at home all matter.
Certainly an A30 is in the running. One of my boys loves standing at the front door with the main door open, watching the world through the storm door. Has ever since he was tall enough to reach the doorknob. Once he started paying his own utility bills he moved to california pretty quick.
The sqft ratings, near as i can tell are based on a home with perfect air seals, no kids, an adult that opens the door once in the am to leave for work, and once in the pm after work, and that model home of their's has some kinda high R value windows that cost 5 figures each.
I think you'll do better looking at how much energy you are using for heat, convert that to cords of wood and then find a firebox big enough to burn that many cords in however long your burn season is.
Hi. I have a question, how tall is your chimney?when burning really low I get an "explosion" of flames when gases light off.
You are right, and all analogies fall short, when really analyzed. I should refrain from them, but they're too fun. Bottom line, the BK can be run all day long on the highest t'stat setting, with no concern of run-away. The same stove can be turned way down to a burn time 3x that of just about any other comparably-sized stove. That was the basis of my analogy, however poor it may have been.Ashful I've certainly enjoyed reading your thoughtful contrubtions to various threads but there is some serious nonsense here. "BK is the Ferrari" and "some like dikering with inferior technolgy". It's all relative to individual applications and your individual goals....too presume otherwise is simply ridiculous. Sure Ferrari makes a great sports that goes fast but it wouldnt make it more than 20ft down our camp road so is of no use to me.
No doubt BK makes a great product....it's been well documented here.
BK puts their draft spec's in the manual. Basically, 0.06" WC maximum, for the Ashford 30. I'm no expert on this, but I believe BKVP posted that this is common to most stoves, as dictated by the EPA.Thank you and Ashful for your replies. I am very excited to see the Ashford burn. I have a duratech class a stainless chimney. There is one 45 degree elbow as the chimney would hit a roof joint. Do you think that would effect the Ashford in any way? With the thermostat? I am hopeful not as the Ashford looks like a great choice at this time.My current stove does not have any problems. So hopefully that would not effect the Ashford either.
'Great review. Thank you. I spoke with a dealer yesterday and they have a Ashford on the showroom floor. They use it as a show model so it is broke in. Can I cook on the Ashford if the power goes out?
I'm burning some wet wood, now. It's part of an effort to move about 6 cords of 2 year oak out of my way, for another project. It runs just fine, but start-up time is much longer with wet wood. Basically, you spend longer in bypass mode, baking out the moisture, before engaging the combustor. Chimney cleaning frequency may be increased, as you're putting a lot of creo up the chimney during that initial bake-out, before engaging the combustor.Thanks. That's awesome. Yes I have three feet easy so that won't be a problem. BK has a major advantage right now. I can't install the stove myself. Insurance company says it has to be done by a dealer. Can I burn wood at 20 or 22% moisture? Will that hurt the stove? Most of my oak is around 20% seasoned two years.
Meh. I own two Ashford 30's, too. Some folks are going to have trouble with any stove you give them.The thread that was posted is by someone who has owned two Blaze king Ashford 30!
No idea on your heating needs, but here are a few pieces of generic advice:What do you think? Would the Ashford heat this home in single digit and below zero (f) weather? House is approx 2000 sq. ft.. We don't use the entire basement during the winter. Thanks for your time.
You are right, and all analogies fall short, when really analyzed. I should refrain from them, but they're too fun. Bottom line, the BK can be run all day long on the highest t'stat setting, with no concern of run-away. The same stove can be turned way down to a burn time 3x that of just about any other comparably-sized stove. That was the basis of my analogy, however poor it may have been.
No worries. I see what you are getting at now....makes sense. Appreciate the clarification.
That's what I miss about the Ashford. We would occasionally cook a whole roast dinner in one cast iron pot on top of the Regency. There's something quite primal about cooking on wood heat.I haven't burned in the Ashford yet, but I like the overall execution of this stove. The castings are nice and it has a good latching assembly and from later reports an improved ash collection system. My only caveat is that we use the stove top almost daily for heating water for coffee and tea and occasionally for slow cooking and bread rising. The Ashford has a convection top. You can lift off this top, but for us that would mean leaving the top off most of the time in order to set the kettle on the hot cooktop.
We loved the look of the T6. Bought one. Dealer said he'd call in a few days for pickup. Called on the dealer a few weeks later asking if the stove was ready, said it was back ordered. Called PE while I was there and they said " we have no idea when we'll have one ready to ship''. He refunded my money and that's how we ended up with the Ashford. Called four other dealers on the Island and nobody had one in stock. Really wanted to support a local business(we live about 8 minutes from their shop) but sounds like they were having production issues - they've been advertising for staff for a while.It's one of the things I really like about the Alderlea. The swing away trivet tops allow a huge range of cooking temperature at ease. I don't think my wife would lift the Ashford top off. It's pretty heavy. We'd have to leave it off all the time which is not the best solution for the way we use a stove. That said, it's a good looking and well made stove. Had they kept the blue-black enamel I might have been tempted to try one out.
I like your T6 to Begreen. Unfortunately my wife does not like the Alderleas.It's one of the things I really like about the Alderlea. The swing away trivet tops allow a huge range of cooking temperature at ease. I don't think my wife would lift the Ashford top off. It's pretty heavy. We'd have to leave it off all the time which is not the best solution for the way we use a stove. That said, it's a good looking and well made stove. Had they kept the blue-black enamel I might have been tempted to try one out.
I really like the f55. I may be happy with that 8 or 10 hour cycle. Some of the cat guys here have said that they don't save that much wood in cold weather. I suppose the cat stoves really shine during the shoulder seasons. I really like the Ashford as well. I guess I will just to go look at both. They are at the same dealer.It's one of the things I really like about the Alderlea. The swing away trivet tops allow a huge range of cooking temperature at ease. I don't think my wife would lift the Ashford top off. It's pretty heavy. We'd have to leave it off all the time which is not the best solution for the way we use a stove. That said, it's a good looking and well made stove. Had they kept the blue-black enamel I might have been tempted to try one out.
I purposely seeked out the f55 due only to simplicity in design and operation...along with stout construction. It should last many many years heating my home just like it should. My idea in my head for some reason or another of a woodstove is something that requires no power and consumable parts....and only requires me walking out of my backdoor to harvest the fuel. That said the more i learn about cat stoves the more intrigued i am. Lots of folks on here are very happy with their cat stoves and they have been doing this much longer than I. Wouldnt mind trying out a woodstock IS (rear exit only so no BK option in my application).I really like the f55. I may be happy with that 8 or 10 hour cycle. Some of the cat guys here have said that they don't save that much wood in cold weather. I suppose the cat stoves really shine during the shoulder seasons. I really like the Ashford as well. I guess I will just to go look at both. They are at the same dealer.
I feel the exact same. The simplicity and durability of the stove is perfect. How often do you have to refill your stove? Do you burn 24/7? I contacted Jotul on Facebook and they responded on a Sunday. I am interested in the cats stoves as well. The BK seems really fussy for needing dry wood. 16-18 % is about three years of drying time for white and red oak. I don't like the idea of having to go three years on stacking. Woodstock says season 2 years and around 20%.I purposely seeked out the f55 due only to simplicity in design and operation...along with stout construction. It should last many many years heating my home just like it should. My idea in my head for some reason or another of a woodstove is something that requires no power and consumable parts....and only requires me walking out of my backdoor to harvest the fuel. That said the more i learn about cat stoves the more intrigued i am. Lots of folks on here are very happy with their cat stoves and they have been doing this much longer than I. Wouldnt mind trying out a woodstock IS (rear exit only so no BK option in my application).
Any modern stove is going to want dry wood to perform optimally. This is the same for the Ashford, F55 or Heritage. Top covered oak should dry in 2 yrs. if the stacks are where the sun shines and the wind can blow through them.I feel the exact same. The simplicity and durability of the stove is perfect. How often do you have to refill your stove? Do you burn 24/7? I contacted Jotul on Facebook and they responded on a Sunday. I am interested in the cats stoves as well. The BK seems really fussy for needing dry wood. 16-18 % is about three years of drying time for white and red oak. I don't like the idea of having to go three years on stacking. Woodstock says season 2 years and around 20%.
To quote from page 21 in Ashford manual...I feel the exact same. The simplicity and durability of the stove is perfect. How often do you have to refill your stove? Do you burn 24/7? I contacted Jotul on Facebook and they responded on a Sunday. I am interested in the cats stoves as well. The BK seems really fussy for needing dry wood. 16-18 % is about three years of drying time for white and red oak. I don't like the idea of having to go three years on stacking. Woodstock says season 2 years and around 20%.
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