Hi all - new to forum and new to having a Blaze King. I recently had my chimney relined and got a new Ashford 25 Insert installed. I used it for the first time the other night - without reading the manual 
- and now I'm concerned about a number of things. Wanting some insight if you can help. First - when I used it the first time I watched a youtube video on how to operate the insert. I followed that guidance and didn't realize the first time you use it you should start a small fire and let it burn slowly for a long time. I burned a pretty hot fire - the paint hadn't cured and so a lot of smoke was in the house - wife freaked out - and we opened the door up to burn the fire out faster. I've since read the manual and have read that burning with the door open can ruin the catalyst and void the warranty.
-Is there a way for me to check and see if this has occurred?
Now - I'm kind of afraid to use it again. This is my first ever home with a fireplace and it seems like there's a lot to know and understand about the blaze king Ashford insert. The manual says "Once the logs are burning, latch the door shut. Once loading door is closed and combustor temperature begins to climb, close the bypass door, and turn on the fans to high.
-I see a lot of posts that the fire has to be in the "Active" zone to close the bypass and initiate the catalyst but the manual makes it seem like you should close the bypass before it gets to the red "active" zone on the thermometer. Do I wait until the temp has reached the red point or do I close the bypass sooner?
-Is there anything else that I'm missing or anything else that I need to know about? I'm using wood that I cut last winter and allowed to season outdoors under cover the entire spring/summer seasons.
Thank you so much for any responses, tips, help. I appreciate it.
- and now I'm concerned about a number of things. Wanting some insight if you can help. First - when I used it the first time I watched a youtube video on how to operate the insert. I followed that guidance and didn't realize the first time you use it you should start a small fire and let it burn slowly for a long time. I burned a pretty hot fire - the paint hadn't cured and so a lot of smoke was in the house - wife freaked out - and we opened the door up to burn the fire out faster. I've since read the manual and have read that burning with the door open can ruin the catalyst and void the warranty. -Is there a way for me to check and see if this has occurred?
Now - I'm kind of afraid to use it again. This is my first ever home with a fireplace and it seems like there's a lot to know and understand about the blaze king Ashford insert. The manual says "Once the logs are burning, latch the door shut. Once loading door is closed and combustor temperature begins to climb, close the bypass door, and turn on the fans to high.
-I see a lot of posts that the fire has to be in the "Active" zone to close the bypass and initiate the catalyst but the manual makes it seem like you should close the bypass before it gets to the red "active" zone on the thermometer. Do I wait until the temp has reached the red point or do I close the bypass sooner?
-Is there anything else that I'm missing or anything else that I need to know about? I'm using wood that I cut last winter and allowed to season outdoors under cover the entire spring/summer seasons.
Thank you so much for any responses, tips, help. I appreciate it.
