BK insert Ashford vs Princess

[creek chub]

I’m getting quotes on a new insert. The installer recommended the Ashford. After reading many review I had sort of started leaning towards the Princess. The Ashford does look nicer but curious if there’s a noticeable heat output /efficiency difference?

All things being equal would I likely regret getting the Ashford?

Thanks

 

[basilseal]

I assume most responses here will ask about your anticipated use, placement, etc. The Princess certainly extends across the hearth more, presumably leading to more radiant heat. With blowers on I'm not sure how different they would be.

I'll just note that the Ashford insert is extremely attractive in person -- it looks better than I expected, and aesthetic was one of the major drivers when we were looking at options.

 

[creek chub]

I assume most responses here will ask about your anticipated use, placement, etc. The Princess certainly extends across the hearth more, presumably leading to more radiant heat. With blowers on I'm not sure how different they would be.

I'll just note that the Ashford insert is extremely attractive in person -- it looks better than I expected, and aesthetic was one of the major drivers when we were looking at options.

Do you have an Ashford?

 

[EbS-P]

Ashford for looks. Princess if you can’t fit the Ashford

 

[creek chub]

Ashford for looks. Princess if you can’t fit the Ashford

I can fit either one. The wife prefers the looks of the Ashford but I like the larger firebox that sets out a little farther with the princess.

Wonder if there is really any noticeable difference heat wise other than the radiant heat output of the princess?

 

[EbS-P]

I can fit either one. The wife prefers the looks of the Ashford but I like the larger firebox that sets out a little farther with the princess.

Wonder if there is really any noticeable difference heat wise other than the radiant heat output of the princess?

You need to run the blower with both. Princess will be more radiant and could heat better during a power outage. The tapered firebox in the Ashford probably means your packing efficiency will be lower. The volume difference probably isn’t a deal breaker for me.

 

[Egbert Souse']

The ashford in the enamel is the only way my wife would allow me to replace my stove. That's my vote. Also, the enamel finish is so much easier to keep looking clean and great.

 

[basilseal]

Do you have an Ashford?

Yes, we had one installed this year.

 

[DuaeGuttae]

I can fit either one. The wife prefers the looks of the Ashford but I like the larger firebox that sets out a little farther with the princess.

Wonder if there is really any noticeable difference heat wise other than the radiant heat output of the princess?

I agree that the Ashford is the more attractive of the two solely on aesthetics, but I would definitely prefer the firebox shape and size on the Princess. That would outweigh the purely aesthetic considerations for me. I haven't recently checked the square footage specs, but I do recall that Blaze King rates the Princess for more space than the Ashford. I'd prefer the ease of loading the Princess and not trying to play Tetris to get a bigger load into the Ashford. How large an area are you wanting to heat?

 

[Highbeam]

Ashford for looks but princess for performance. Do you want pretty or do you want a workhorse? Sure, they’re both pretty and both make heat but the princess was has a long track record as a dependable heater.

 

[creek chub]

I agree that the Ashford is the more attractive of the two solely on aesthetics, but I would definitely prefer the firebox shape and size on the Princess. That would outweigh the purely aesthetic considerations for me. I haven't recently checked the square footage specs, but I do recall that Blaze King rates the Princess for more space than the Ashford. I'd prefer the ease of loading the Princess and not trying to play Tetris to get a bigger load into the Ashford. How large an area are you wanting to heat?

About 1800 sq ft

 

[xshmoox]

My vote is if you’re going to be using for primary heat I’d go princess. Will be easier to load full with a squared off firebox. Plus you’re burn times and heat output will be better. Also I believe it has a deeper belly of a firebox so less ash spillage when loading.

 

[EbS-P]

My vote is if you’re going to be using for primary heat I’d go princess. Will be easier to load full with a squared off firebox. Plus you’re burn times and heat output will be better. Also I believe it has a deeper belly of a firebox so less ash spillage when loading.

I couldn’t do it in my living room. It’s ugly. Ashford looks great! If was my basement the I’d do the princesse.

 

[xshmoox]

I couldn’t do it in my living room. It’s ugly. Ashford looks great! If was my basement the I’d do the princesse.

Yes I feel that way about the looks but if I were using it as primary heat that firebox would drive me nuts. Plus now as I’m getting older I’ll take the best functionality over looks any day. I guess it also depends on your climate in your part of Va. and also insulation of the house. if it’s a milder climate the ashford probably would be ok but if you’re where they get some decent cold weather and insulation is lacking I’d probably definitely go with the princess for the bigger box and better heat output.

 

[DuaeGuttae]

About 1800 sq ft

I checked the BK website, and they recommend the Ashford up to 1600 square feet, so I'd not go with that unless you're in a particularly mild part of the state. I could be wrong, but I believe that the square footage estimates are supposed to be based on a Pacific Northwest climate and standard eight-foot ceilings. I'd appreciate the extra space in the firebox during shoulder season because the thermostat lets you turn it down nice and low, and I wouldn't want the smaller trapezoidal box during one of our snow or ice storms with the power out. Even during normal winter, you'd be pushing it more than you'd want, I think, if you went with something slightly undersized.

People give the Princess lots of grief for how it looks, but sometimes I think they confuse the free-standing stove with the insert. The insert doesn't have the same design proportions as the free-stander. It's not as beautiful as the Ashford, I'll give you that, but from my reading on here, it's a better heater.

I think you should discuss with your wife what's most important, aesthetics or best choice for a heater. If it make her feel any better, you can tell her that I'm a woman who's recommending the Princess to you just based on the specs for your space and climate. From my experience with a freestanding Sirocco, the thermostat really works well to regulate heat output, so I wouldn't worry too much about it being too much stove. The glass will blacken at low heat outputs, though, but I think that would happen on the Ashford insert, too, though maybe not quite so much.