First burn ever in a wood stove tonight. Any tips or warnings? BK Ashford 30.2

[Fargo]

So the installers just left my house and I am the new owner of a Blazeking Ashford 30.2. It was kind of a stressful couple of weeks waiting for the stove to come since they didn't have any in stock and had to build it after I ordered it. I really wanted it installed before the end of the year to take advantage of the 2025 tax credit. But the people at Blazeking got it done and shipped out just in time ( @BKVP tell everyone thanks ). And my installer (Sunrooms Plus in Grand Forks ND) was fantastic at working with me and was ready to install the stove at the drop of a hat when it came in yesterday afternoon. So many thanks to everyone who made this happen.

So my question is simply what do I need to know or keep in mind when I start my first fire tonight? I've seen videos online and I'm familiar with how to watch the thermometer for the active zone before closing the damper. I'll read the instructions again, but I had a couple of questions and was just looking for tips. I purchased a cord of split ash. It supposed to be 15%-18% moisture, but I don't have a gauge yet to check it.

So my questions:
1) Should I run the stove hot to cure all the paint and burn everything in? Or should the stove be run at cooler temperatures the first time?
2) Is their any specific length of time I need to run the stove the first time. I'm planning to leave the house to visit some friends for the weekend tomorrow morning. So I'm tentatively planning a short overnight burn.
3) Should the wood be stacked in any specific direction or stacking method?
4) Any other safety tips or useful info I should be aware of.

Thanks

 

[all night moe]

So the installers just left my house and I am the new owner of a Blazeking Ashford 30.2. It was kind of a stressful couple of weeks waiting for the stove to come since they didn't have any in stock and had to build it after I ordered it. I really wanted it installed before the end of the year to take advantage of the 2025 tax credit. But the people at Blazeking got it done and shipped out just in time ( @BKVP tell everyone thanks ). And my installer (Sunrooms Plus in Grand Forks ND) was fantastic at working with me and was ready to install the stove at the drop of a hat when it came in yesterday afternoon. So many thanks to everyone who made this happen.

So my question is simply what do I need to know or keep in mind when I start my first fire tonight? I've seen videos online and I'm familiar with how to watch the thermometer for the active zone before closing the damper. I'll read the instructions again, but I had a couple of questions and was just looking for tips. I purchased a cord of split ash. It supposed to be 15%-18% moisture, but I don't have a gauge yet to check it.

So my questions:
1) Should I run the stove hot to cure all the paint and burn everything in? Or should the stove be run at cooler temperatures the first time?
2) Is their any specific length of time I need to run the stove the first time. I'm planning to leave the house to visit some friends for the weekend tomorrow morning. So I'm tentatively planning a short overnight burn.
3) Should the wood be stacked in any specific direction or stacking method?
4) Any other safety tips or useful info I should be aware of.

Thanks

That's a stove on my wish list. Actually a toss up between it or a PE T6.
Enjoy that stove. BK owners will be along for better advice.

 

[Fargo]

That's a stove on my wish list. Actually a toss up between it or a PE T6.
Enjoy that stove. BK owners will be along for better advice.

Yep, I really struggled between this and the PE T6. The final decision came down to getting the tax credit on this stove. So the T6 was $2000 more without the credit. But I really like the idea of how the thermostat controlled damper will help control the fire since I won't be able to watch it all day long. So I think this will be the better stove for day to day usability.

 

[bigealta]

I don't know if a couple break in fires are required for this stove but if you are in a hurry, i don't see how just having a small fire (kindling and just a couple pretty small splits) would hurt. That's what i would do.

 

[stoveliker]

See page 20 of the manual.
You'll get a LOT of stink from the paint curing. YOu'll have to open two windows (to get some flow) and close the doors from the stove room to any other places to contain the stink.

It'll stink a bit each time you reach a higher temperature. That's life.

You can put wood in (after that first fire) either N/S or E/W (pointing in or pointing left right). I find N/S much easier; splits can't roll forward (to the door) and you can get more in.

Don't worry about the cat gauge going berserk (i.e. very high). That'll settle down before the first cord has been burned.

Is your wood dry enough?

 

[Fargo]

See page 20 of the manual.
You'll get a LOT of stink from the paint curing. YOu'll have to open two windows (to get some flow) and close the doors from the stove room to any other places to contain the stink.

It'll stink a bit each time you reach a higher temperature. That's life.

You can put wood in (after that first fire) either N/S or E/W (pointing in or pointing left right). I find N/S much easier; splits can't roll forward (to the door) and you can get more in.

Don't worry about the cat gauge going berserk (i.e. very high). That'll settle down before the first cord has been burned.

Is your wood dry enough?

Thank you. I think I skimmed the manual too quickly before. I'll read it more closely before I start my fire. But I did read page 20 and it had a lot of the info I was looking for. Sounds like a low temperature is best to minimize the initial odor. Also sounds like they recommend loading E/W in the back of the stove too. Thanks for help.

I believe my wood is dry. I was told it was between 15%-18%. But I didn't get my moisture meter for Christmas. So until I buy a my moisture meter, I'm trusting the seller. If I don't burn tonight, I'll get some of that engineered pressed wood. I just forgot to pick it up whenever I was in town.

 

[stoveliker]

I think after that first fire, just go proper size (hot). You can't minimize the stink. You'll have to get thru it. It'll stop once it's been hot enough.if you don't know your wood (and you can't trust what you are told!), load n/s so you can see if the ends get wet.

For sawdust bricks make sure it only contains sawdust. north Idaho energy logs or something are good (niels)

 

[Fargo]

I see what your saying on loading N/S to watch the ends for moisture..

How about these fuel blocks at Menards:

https://www.menards.com/main/heatin...ks-6-count/6408290/p-1444444870049-c-6855.htm

 

[stoveliker]

That looks good.
Do look at them a bit carefully; I recently (just wanting to play with some), found bits of melamine/particle board in some (other) bricks. See here

Thread 'Sawdust brick quality - fyi (warning) for cat stove owners'

Dec 15, 2025

Over the years, and when available (not much where I am), I have ordered some sawdust bricks, just to try them out.
Only "100% sawdust, no additives" - given my cat stove.

The Redstone ones available at Tractor supply here were nice.

Recently I ordered some bricks from https://www.ecoheatfirelogs.com/
They claim 100% hardwood sawdust, no additives on their website.

I open my box and find white melamine pieces pressed into the bricks. And a green piece, i.e. some paint or stain.

So their feedstock is not just sawdust but is contaminated with crap (particleboard etc.)

I'm asking...

• stoveliker
• Replies: 18
• Forum: The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces

Note that BK warns against too many of those bricks at once somewhere in the manual.
Mix with some cord wood (more when the wood is wetter).

 

[Murray01]

Read and have the manual nearby until you’re comfortable running the stove. Some very useful tips and suggestions. BK also has downloadable manuals available.

 

[Dieselhead]

I imagine you have smoke and CO detectors along with a fire extinguisher? If one of the detectors is in the vicinity of the stove be prepared to disable it during the initial smoke screen.

Congratulations and let’s see some pics if you’re comfortable sharing.

 

[Fargo]

I imagine you have smoke and CO detectors along with a fire extinguisher? If one of the detectors is in the vicinity of the stove be prepared to disable it during the initial smoke screen.

Congratulations and let’s see some pics if you’re comfortable sharing.

Wow, good call about having fire extinguisher nearby. Talk about missing the obvious. I have some in the house but not by the stove. I have smoke detectors on the main level but I'm still in the process of completing my basement, so nothing there yet. I rushed the stove ahead of schedule to get the tax credit.

 

[stoveliker]

Have a bucket of sand available.
If things go wrong, this is safe for the stove and cat. Cover the burning wood with it.
I have not seen someone needing it tho.

Fire extinguisher - not sure it's safe for a cat. (Tho if you need it you need it ...)
CO2 extinguishers are chemically safe but will be cold, shocking the cat.

So I'd use sand in the stove. If fire has gone out of the stove - fire extinguisher.

No water in a hot stove: scalding steam explosions.

 

[Fargo]

Not much to see at the moment. As you can see I am still framing up the basement. But wanted the stove installed to get the tax credit. But I am fully insulated down there. So it should heat the place nicely. I was curious about how it would draft, so I lit a little incense stick inside the stove to watch the smoke. It drafted really nice. Even when it was only 5* F outside. I think I have about 25' of piping with on 30* bend in it counting the black pipe.

 

[Fargo]

Have a bucket of sand available.
If things go wrong, this is safe for the stove and cat. Cover the burning wood with it.
I have not seen someone needing it tho.

Fire extinguisher - not sure it's safe for a cat. (Tho if you need it you need it ...)
CO2 extinguishers are chemically safe but will be cold, shocking the cat.

So I'd use sand in the stove. If fire has gone out of the stove - fire extinguisher.

No water in a hot stove: scalding steam explosions.

Great safety tips. I have a pile of sand in the yard. I'll scoop up a bucket to keep nearby.

I had a roommate years ago that threw water on a bacon grease fire on our outdoor grill. I saw it happen in slow motion as I'm yelling NOOOO. That was exciting. The flame got really big for an instant and the grease spattered against the vinyl siding lighting it up napalm. Fortunately it all extinguished quickly. But it was still eye opening. I don't want to repeat anything like that.

 

[stoveliker]

With 25 ft and it being cold, your draft will likely be too high.
Be careful with the sawdust bricks.
I suggest it's highly likely you'll need a key damper.

Do you have a flue probe already? Get one.

 

[Dieselhead]

I would definitely have a smoke/co down there, even if it’s a temporary one for the time being. That place is wide open and lots of fuel for a fire to spread rapidly not to mention floor joists that will fail quickly if exposed to fire.

 

[BKVP]

Congratulations. All good suggestions here. Know the difference between closed and locked on the bypass. Second, send family out shopping during initial burn. Tell them to have a nice lunch too. Then do the burn off.

You'll be fine, just go by My First Fire in the manual. I wrote that 28 years ago when I put a King in my own house.

What a Happy New Year!
BKVP

 

[bigealta]

Looks like you have a nice sized window there. I'd have a fan in that blowing out.
And another window open across the room if there is one.
And Definitely a CO detector down there.

 

[Fargo]

Thanks for the input guys. A couple of updates.

I rechecked my chimney height and I think its actually 23' and not 25'. But that doesn't seem likely to make much of a difference as far as my draft goes.

I didn't get to do my New Years fire. I remembered last night I hadn't updated my home owners insurance to inform them I have a wood stove. I figured I better do that just in case. Also, I decided it was probably best to not have a house full of fumes the night of New Years eve. So I'll do like BKVP mentioned and send them out some afternoon to do my burn in.

Lastly, I now really question my wood moisture. I pulled some in from outside and its pretty wet. I picked up a meter from Menards and it shows anywhere from 20% - 40%. But it was covered with a little snow and ice, so I'll split a couple after it dries out inside for a few days. I did pick up a couple packages of the compressed wood. So I still have that to get a few burns in. I've also got a friend that has some wood we cut down off of my place a couple years ago. So I might get some from him to get a few burns in this winter.

I'll keep you all updated after I have had a burn or two.

 

[stoveliker]

Yeah, that's too wet for satisfactory burning and for a cat.

 

[BKVP]

Yeah, that's too wet for satisfactory burning and for a cat.

For any stove! Responsible wood burners unite. We don't need neighbors thinking all wood stove burn dirty and wood burners don't care about the environment.

BKVP

 

[all night moe]

For any stove! Responsible wood burners unite. We don't need neighbors thinking all wood stove burn dirty and wood burners don't care about the environment.

BKVP

It's not only that.

Less wood consumed with better heat output. I see chimneys bellowing blue smoke while the stove must be choking on moisture. My ole Moe burned nice with trace smoke, providing I did my part.

We all need to be united.

 

[helmingstay]

For any stove! Responsible wood burners unite. We don't need neighbors thinking all wood stove burn dirty and wood burners don't care about the environment.

BKVP

@BKVP Sorry to jump in here. I have a new Ashford 25 and we've been having some issues, both with stove and dealer. I tried DMing you directly, but I've been repeatedly getting a "Oops! We ran into some problems..." message that only seems to happen when I DM you. I was wondering if there might be an alternate way to reach you, or if I might be able to respond to a DM from you?

Much appreciated!

 

[BKVP]

@BKVP Sorry to jump in here. I have a new Ashford 25 and we've been having some issues, both with stove and dealer. I tried DMing you directly, but I've been repeatedly getting a "Oops! We ran into some problems..." message that only seems to happen when I DM you. I was wondering if there might be an alternate way to reach you, or if I might be able to respond to a DM from you?

Much appreciated!

cneufeld@blazeking.com