Aurora Firebird Insert damper question

[RLohman]

Hi all. New to Hearth.com. I just bought a house with an old insert installed. I have never had a fireplace, but plan on using this thing in the future.

I plan on having a sweep come out and look at the chimney and pulling the insert this summer to clean it up and retro fit it with a SS liner. In the mean time I would like to burn small fires occasionally in it.

There is supposed to be a key to open and close the flue. I don’t have that but an Allen wrench works. However, I don’t know what way to turn it to open/close. Does anyone have any idea?

Also, is there a way to check draft/ to make sure the flue is open? Was hoping to burn a piece of paper or something and be able to see that all of the smoke goes out the top instead of out the door. However, I read that the flue May need to heat up before it starts drafting.

 

[begreen]

The flue needs to be checked and possibly cleaned first. They make allen keys with handles on them that might work. Is there a baffle in the stove? If there's none in the way you may be able to stick your head in the firebox and see the damper open or close. Otherwise it may take removing the baffle to look.

 

[RLohman]

There is a baffle in the way. You cannot see anything opening or closing. I can hear it moving when I turn it with the Allen key.

 

[begreen]

Sounds like it's going to take some experimentation or just wait until the sweep pulls the insert. What is unknown is whether this is a damper or a bypass for easier starting. If it's the latter then there may be an opening behind the baffle.