Blaze king Ashford 30.2 smoke smell problem

[MTASH]

I'll preface this by saying I am running a substandard chimney setup that involves a wall pass through into an insulated liner inside an exterior masonry chimney. Total height is 12' from stove top, so it's still too short but I don't have a reasonable way to improve this without a lot more work. This is absolutely not the fault of Blaze King. And with your 90, it's also apparent your install is also problematic.

My smoke smell issue has always been while burning low when temps are above 30F. Adding the insulated liner and adding an extension above the masonry did make a significant draft difference and helped eliminate some smell. When the weather warms, the draft deteriorates from already sub-optimal conditions, but I've made it work and we really have no reason to burn wood when daytime temps climb into the 40's, so really it's not been a big problem for me.

A while ago I followed the previously mentioned Play Doh thread, and I've been suspicious of this potential alignment problem on my stove. Today I confirmed I have a door alignment/gasket problem. I believe this appeared after a recent puff-back during a severe windstorm a week or two ago, but I didn't notice until loading the stove this morning:



You can clearly see evidence of smoke escaping the lower corner of the door gasket which also corresponds to smoke evidence on the lower corner of the enamel frame. So I'll be reaching out to @BKVP to inquire about getting an upgraded gasket. I'll also have to try to adjust the door so the knife edge is more centered, as discussed in the other thread. On my door it is not possible to perfectly center the knife edge on both sides - the latch side is currently near centered while the hinge side is off considerably - so I'll have to find a compromise position where it's mostly centered on both sides. Hopefully the thicker gasket helps with this too.

Also in full disclosure, I did remove the front door assembly from this unit when we moved it into the house. Removing all the cladding reduces a lot of weight and helps prevent damage to the enamel or the door. I made sure to mark the door frame attachment position so I could reinstall it in the exact same position, but it's still possible this is my problem and not Blaze King's.

 

[kf6hap]

Amazon product ASIN B01M1K2ZC8
This might get you by.

 

[Woodpower]

Update:
Smoke smell is substantially decreased with the spacers and new gaskets. Once I put a bright light on the stove I could see that the smoke had been leaking out of the upper part of the door (hard to see in the picture with the bright light, but it’s obvious in person).


It was much more painful and time consuming to put the spacers in for my stove... it turns out that both the threads on the top/front of the stove were partly stripped. The hinge side was not even attached because the threads were stripped I took a video of the washer freely spinning when I first took off the side pan

As others have said the knife on the front of the stove was not even close to center on the gasket

 

[fire_man]

If I'm understanding the picture right, the top of the door is where the smoke stain was but the bottom is where the knife edge was not centered. Funny, I have the exact same smoke stain above my door on the Palladian and can smell the smoke from that spot.

Glad to hear you figured it out.

 

[Woodpower]

If I'm understanding the picture right, the top of the door is where the smoke stain was but the bottom is where the knife edge was not centered. Funny, I have the exact same smoke stain above my door on the Palladian and can smell the smoke from that spot.

Glad to hear you figured it out.

correct...unfortunately the knife edge isn’t close to center anywhere.... and in the wrong direction so I can’t just adjust the door. Hopefully it won’t make a difference with this new gasket, but I am afraid I will be replacing the gasket semi regularly due to the poor door fit.

 

[begreen]

correct...unfortunately the knife edge isn’t close to center anywhere.... and in the wrong direction so I can’t just adjust the door. Hopefully it won’t make a difference with this new gasket, but I am afraid I will be replacing the gasket semi regularly due to the poor door fit.

Sorry to hear this. Sounds like a manufacturing defect. Wouldn't that be covered under warranty?

 

[Blazzed]

Respectfully, we have almost no Ashford smoke smell issues in 2020. In fact, with the exception of a few residual issues from prior seasons, we show no new issues.

We made some changes to the assembly process, not materials or specifications. Gaskets and doors are assembled more than 24 hrs in advance of stove assembly, allowing for gasket adhesive to cure. This prevented gasket from rolling as seen in a couple of cases previously.

For this particular install, the 90 on the top of the stove is not acceptable for ANY of out models. It is not exclusive to the Ashford 30. We would also encourage the vent adapter to liner be sealed. In one instance in 2019, a customer unplugged their fans and the smell decreased by over 90%. Upon further inspection, the smoke smell was originating from the adapter-flue liner connection.

We will be pleased to offer a larger gasket, but with the 90, it is unlikely to improve the situation. Keep fingers crossed.

Hi this is Tony. I bought a sirocco 30.2 just under a year ago. have had a smell of smoke and almost chemical smell. Smell seems to be from left side above door. it hurts our lungs. have done everything. 19 ft of pipe, straight up. proper air intake, everything. blazeking here in Canada has told me there is no issues with there stoves but I've read lots of people having this issue. Blazeking told me now to remove the thermostat because possible faulty sealant around tstat, and possibly the door which seems like the culprit. door seal is tight when closed. but smell coming from left side of door . when I look at gasket it seems that is where it all joints together and possible not tight, can push in on glass slightly as well. anyway, he told me to remove the tstat to fix the faulty sealant that actually did crumble like cement, wants me to use high temp silicone. When I removed Tstat, I messed up and took the set screw out of rod at the tstat so now no tension. how do I redo the tension? they are sending me a new tstat but am waiting patiently. will have to wait I'm sure.
Anyway I'm sure the smell isn't coming from there anyway as it was in there tight. please help me out with info on why I'm getting this smoke smell, I think its the door now but maybe also other problems with stove. I read from you on here there were some issues that have been corrected in production on the 30 series. I love how the stove works and how controllable it is but can't use a stove that hurts our lungs , I ve been told to ditch the blazeking and go with a pacific energy , that has no issues like this with smells. Would love to be able to keep the blazeking and have problems fixed or have it replaced with one that's not smelling. thanks and appreciate it your help. Tony

 

[begreen]

This sounds like a support issue for the dealer to resolve. Have they come out to check the stove and do a draft measurement on it? Has the chimney cap been checked for plugging?

 

[Blazzed]

hi thanks for reply. yes chimney is 19' now. drafts great. from what installer says. once I had chimney extended to 19' works really well. also been cleaned and have wind guard on rain cap. still smell from door area. how do I contact members? tried sending message but wouldn't work. thanks.

 

[stoveliker]

You say the seal is tight. How do you know that?

Also, are you saying that you can move the glass? If so, that would suggest that the glass retaining is not okay (which also can result in leaks and smells).

 

[begreen]

how do I contact members

Click on the envelope icon in the upper right of the screen and select Start New Conversation.

 

[Blazzed]

You say the seal is tight. How do you know that?

Also, are you saying that you can move the glass? If so, that would suggest that the glass retaining is not okay (which also can result in leaks and smells).

Hi yes just replaced door from blazeking. door is tight. easy to adjust tightness. still got the smells.

 

[trueg50]

Does it still smell after engaging the Cat? My 30.2 smells a little when firing it up but once the cat engages the smell goes away.

 

[Blazzed]

Does it still smell after engaging the Cat? My 30.2 smells a little when firing it up but once the cat engages the smell goes away.

hi it gets worse after cat is engaged. on high smells more chemical smell. turn it down and its the smoke creosote smell. sometimes its seems better but always returns. like right now. stinky. stove works great but can't take the smell. prob going for a Pacific energy to replace

 

[Diabel]

I would not give up on the BK yet. It seems there are one or two people every year that come here with Ashford smoke issues. I imagine they all get resolved. You should post your questions in the BK thread.

 

[Highbeam]

I would not give up on the BK yet. It seems there are one or two people every year that come here with Ashford smoke issues. I imagine they all get resolved. You should post your questions in the BK thread.

I don’t think many get resolved but I do think they are usually the result of imperfect chimneys. We often can help get the smell reduced or the owner gives up. I am happy that I have a princess other than the looks. That ashford sure looks nice.

 

[BKVP]

I don’t think many get resolved but I do think they are usually the result of imperfect chimneys. We often can help get the smell reduced or the owner gives up. I am happy that I have a princess other than the looks. That ashford sure looks nice.

"I don't think many get resolved"? I can think of 2-3 that are not resolved. Nearly )but not all) all get resolved that we know of.

 

[Highbeam]

"I don't think many get resolved"? I can think of 2-3 that are not resolved. Nearly )but not all) all get resolved that we know of.

Are we saying the same thing? I can’t remember many (any?) 30 box stink stories ending with a happy owner but there haven’t been that many. How about the one on this thread? It’s entirely possible that these posters are somehow satisfied off the record.

I always feel bad when we can’t solve an issue for my favorite stove brand.

 

[Rickb]

While I read a lot here I cant say I have seen all of them, but of the 6-7 I have sen over that last 2 years?
1. They added some chimney and it solved their issue.
2. Changed door gasket and it solved their's.
1. Seemed like any small amount of smoke smell was an issue. Not sure they would have been ok with any stove.
1. Was not solved as far as I know. I believe they swapped stoves, but not sure if they ever came back to say if it's better or worse than they had.
1. Swapped stoves and had worse issues after the swap. If I remember they had other issues that were not found until after the stove swap.

Again im sure there are some I have missed while out of town or just plain missed. And I am not saying that the ashford 30 isnt more finicky then the other older BK lines. But you have to have some perspective. Im guessing hundreds/thousands have been sold and the few we see here are the one's with the most problems.

 

[BKVP]

Are we saying the same thing? I can’t remember many (any?) 30 box stink stories ending with a happy owner but there haven’t been that many. How about the one on this thread? It’s entirely possible that these posters are somehow satisfied off the record.

I always feel bad when we can’t solve an issue for my favorite stove b

While I read a lot here I cant say I have seen all of them, but of the 6-7 I have sen over that last 2 years?
1. They added some chimney and it solved their issue.
2. Changed door gasket and it solved their's.
1. Seemed like any small amount of smoke smell was an issue. Not sure they would have been ok with any stove.
1. Was not solved as far as I know. I believe they swapped stoves, but not sure if they ever came back to say if it's better or worse than they had.
1. Swapped stoves and had worse issues after the swap. If I remember they had other issues that were not found until after the stove swap.

Again im sure there are some I have missed while out of town or just plain missed. And I am not saying that the ashford 30 isnt more finicky then the other older BK lines. But you have to have some perspective. Im guessing hundreds/thousands have been sold and the few we see here are the one's with the most problems.

Thank you. Two were taken back by dealers, sold as used and never had any issues with 2nd owners. When we get a call, for any purpose, we work to resolve the issue. Thankfully, 99% are resolved. Those that are not, are encouraged to seek 2nd opinions on this site. The value of this site is education and sharing experiences. I didn't follow the 2 that were in Canada as we have a staff there to address those concerns.

 

[MTASH]

Mine was solved by re-centering and re-shimming the door assembly (and replacing the gasket at the same time).

 

[Blazzed]

I don’t think many get resolved but I do think they are usually the result of imperfect chimneys. We often can help get the smell reduced or the owner gives up. I am happy that I have a princess other than the looks. That ashford sure looks nice.

hi I have 19' chimney from stove up. all is good. 3 installers have looked. been told it must be the stove. so put new door on door is tight, re did thermostat sealant as requested by BK. still smells on low like creosote. on high its more a unburnt fuel smell maybe from the cat. not sure. stove works flawless except for the smell. not stoked. many people on here with this complaint over the years.

 

[Blazzed]

I would not give up on the BK yet. It seems there are one or two people every year that come here with Ashford smoke issues. I imagine they all get resolved. You should post your questions in the BK thread.

don't want to give up but its been a year now. so frustrated. done everything . 3 installers looking at it. no answers. points to stove. works flawless/exceptional, but smell issue . stinks like creosote when turn down, smells like unburnt fuel hot cat conv on high, which is not good for lungs. how's the princess? would be too big for me here I think .

 

[Blazzed]

Mine was solved by re-centering and re-shimming the door assembly (and replacing the gasket at the same time).

what model is yours? did they send this kit. they should send me a stove. its new. 1 year old now but problem since new. 3 installers have looked at it. thanks

 

[MTASH]

what model is yours? did they send this kit. they should send me a stove. its new. 1 year old now but problem since new. 3 installers have looked at it. thanks

I've been meaning to post an update about this. Mine is a Ashford 30.2 that I purchased in December 2018. If I remember correctly it was manufactured in May 2018. There was no kit involved other than purchasing a new door gasket.

I needed to re-center the door, because it was clearly offset so the gasket on the hinge side was not even close to centered (as shown in a previous post). As mentioned, I had removed the door assembly to move the unit into the house, and thought I had marked everything to reinstall it in the exact same position. So I can't say for sure if it came this way from the factory or if it was my error.


Above you can the pencil marks I used to align the door. After removing the old gasket, I measured the opening in the stove body and the door gasket frame and marked the exact center of each. I don't have a picture before adjusting, but the marks were about 3/16" apart. Because the mounting tabs are slotted, I was able to loosen the bolts and slide the assembly over (to the left in the picture) until the pencil marks were aligned. This places the knife edge as close as possible to center of the gasket on each side. On my stove there really isn't any up or down adjustment, so the bottom of the gasket is still not quite centered, but not enough to be concerned based on the imprint on the new gasket.

I also discovered the hinge side was much tighter than the latch side - you can clearly see the extra gap on the right (latch) side in the picture above. Ordinally you would think this involves a latch adjustment, which I attempted, but it was not possible to close the gap without causing interference. I couldn't get the door to close evenly without the gasket, so I began looking for another solution.



Another issue is shown in the above picture, which shows the hinge side from inside the stove. There was a much larger gap at the top when compared to the bottom.

There originally was one shim at each corner of the assembly which I reinstalled in the same locations after moving the unit into the house. However based on the gaps shown in the pictures, the result was the bottom-left corner was too tight while the top-right corner was too loose. This was not evident until after I removed the old gasket and could clearly see the gaps. I rectified this by removing the shim from the top right corner and adding it to the bottom left corner. If I remember correctly, this also required a slightly longer bolt to account for the extra shim thickness in that corner. After doing this, the gaps were fairly even around the entire door frame. I installed the new gasket and made a slight final adjustment to the latch.

I am an Engineer by trade and a fabricator/mechanic by hobby, so I completely understand manufacturing is not perfect and how tolerances can stack up and cause problems in some cases. I wanted to post this information to give others another potential area to look at when troubleshooting this issue.