Well, this topic has been discussed in the past and, seeing as how I've lived it first hand, I decided to start a new post with some photos, thoughts, etc. I'll link this post to other threads that have discussed the BK 20 vs. 30
In 2015, I purchased an Ashford 20.1 (Steel Cat, Fan Kit) and was very pleased with everything about the stove. Unfortunately, my setup (1,500 sq. ft. living space, stove in basement on one side of a raised ranch house, moderate but steadily upgraded insulation) was a bit much for the Ashford 20. Our coldest nights (-10 to -15F) during the last winter were a bit too cold in the opposite end of the house and I often had to run the stove on high (with high fans) to get decent heat for the entire house during the colder parts of the winter. The stove still put off some nice heat, I should mention!
With this, I decided to upgrade to an Ashford 30.1 (carbon black, also arrived with a steel cat, fan kit (thanks for the promotion, Chris!)). I got a great deal by purchasing the ashford and a princess (for a coworker), plus a good friend of mine purchased the original 20.1 for a fair price.
The new Ashford is currently in the basement amongst a cloud of blueish smoke as the paint cures. The steel cat lit off with incredible ease and was glowing immensely within seconds. The firebox size between the two seems much more than just 1 cubic foot, and it will hopefully be easier to load and light.
One interesting difference that I've always been curious about is the thin sheet metal plate (see last two photos) that was located under the cast top of my 20.1 (i.e. between the steel of the firebox and the cast top of the stove). This thin metal always bent when the stove was hot and got very close to the steel firebox. I always wondered if this reduced a bit of radiant heat off the top or made the fans less effective (because the thin metal bent towards the firebox, the fans were mostly blowing on top of the sheet metal, but not across the hottest part of the firebox). The 30.1 doesn't have this sheet metal at all. What are the group's thoughts? Chris, what is the function of this piece and why isn't it on the 30.1?
For comparison's sake, I added the same piece of serviceberry to each of the stoves. I'd note that the Ashford 30's firebox is not only wider and deeper, but much taller (which the photos don't exactly show).
Also, the 20.1 is painted metallic black, while the new 30.1 is painted carbon black. The carbon black looks blueish against the metallic black. When comparing the colors, you should consider that the 20.1 is a little dusty.
In 2015, I purchased an Ashford 20.1 (Steel Cat, Fan Kit) and was very pleased with everything about the stove. Unfortunately, my setup (1,500 sq. ft. living space, stove in basement on one side of a raised ranch house, moderate but steadily upgraded insulation) was a bit much for the Ashford 20. Our coldest nights (-10 to -15F) during the last winter were a bit too cold in the opposite end of the house and I often had to run the stove on high (with high fans) to get decent heat for the entire house during the colder parts of the winter. The stove still put off some nice heat, I should mention!
With this, I decided to upgrade to an Ashford 30.1 (carbon black, also arrived with a steel cat, fan kit (thanks for the promotion, Chris!)). I got a great deal by purchasing the ashford and a princess (for a coworker), plus a good friend of mine purchased the original 20.1 for a fair price.
The new Ashford is currently in the basement amongst a cloud of blueish smoke as the paint cures. The steel cat lit off with incredible ease and was glowing immensely within seconds. The firebox size between the two seems much more than just 1 cubic foot, and it will hopefully be easier to load and light.
One interesting difference that I've always been curious about is the thin sheet metal plate (see last two photos) that was located under the cast top of my 20.1 (i.e. between the steel of the firebox and the cast top of the stove). This thin metal always bent when the stove was hot and got very close to the steel firebox. I always wondered if this reduced a bit of radiant heat off the top or made the fans less effective (because the thin metal bent towards the firebox, the fans were mostly blowing on top of the sheet metal, but not across the hottest part of the firebox). The 30.1 doesn't have this sheet metal at all. What are the group's thoughts? Chris, what is the function of this piece and why isn't it on the 30.1?
For comparison's sake, I added the same piece of serviceberry to each of the stoves. I'd note that the Ashford 30's firebox is not only wider and deeper, but much taller (which the photos don't exactly show).
Also, the 20.1 is painted metallic black, while the new 30.1 is painted carbon black. The carbon black looks blueish against the metallic black. When comparing the colors, you should consider that the 20.1 is a little dusty.
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