Ashford 25 Insert Questions

[BirdsatHiloMuni]

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.

 

[GG Woody]

*I use a BK stove, but I am not familiar with the Ashford insert*
You may have taken some life out of your combustor, I doubt that you have wrecked it. A picture of the combustor without the guard may help diagnose that.
I would wait until the gauge is near the "active" zone before engaging the bypass. Within a few minutes of closing the bypass you should see the bypass glowing. In the next 15 minutes you should be able to start dialing the fire down and turning up the fan.
This is how my Sirocco freestanding works (minus fan) but maybe I shouldn't advise too much since I have not operated an Ashford insert.
And *bump*...

 

[BirdsatHiloMuni]

*I use a BK stove, but I am not familiar with the Ashford insert*
You may have taken some life out of your combustor, I doubt that you have wrecked it. A picture of the combustor without the guard may help diagnose that.
I would wait until the gauge is near the "active" zone before engaging the bypass. Within a few minutes of closing the bypass you should see the bypass glowing. In the next 15 minutes you should be able to start dialing the fire down and turning up the fan.
This is how my Sirocco freestanding works (minus fan) but maybe I shouldn't advise too much since I have not operated an Ashford insert.
And *bump*...

Thank you! I'll post a photo of the combustor without the guard once I get home. I appreciate the feedback.

 

[Tron]

Within a few minutes of closing the bypass you should see the bypass glowing.

I would hope not!
(I suspect you meant the cat)

@BirdsatHiloMuni don't sweat it, I doubt the cat has taken damage from having the door open. The main reason it should remain closed is that otherwise the thermostat doesn't work as that regulates heat output by adjusting airflow into the unit.

I usually fill the firebox with wood, light it (door closed, thermostat fully open and bypass door open), watch the internal flue temperature (that's really a good thing to measure, not sure if that's an option with an insert, though) and when that's hot enough and the fire is fully established I close the bypass and dial down the thermostat, even if the combustor thermometer isn't in the "active" zone yet. by doing that the combustion gases are drawn through the cat and that kicks it off quickly. The cat thermometer lags a bit, so if you're a bit below the active zone on the startup process, the cat's likely already hot enough.

 

[basilseal]

We just installed the same insert this year and have used it several times.

1. Well, you've done a big cure of the paint, which had to happen at some point. You may notice a similar smell for a bit when running at high temperatures, but most or all of the smoke off the unit should be done.

2. I recommend following the manual to the letter for the first few burns, which will help protect the cat. It does seem like a lot of steps at first but it quickly becomes easier after doing it a few times.

I keep in mind the three "controls" as follows:

When you start your fire, all controls are "open": (a) door cracked, (b) bypass pulled out, (c) thermostat on high (pointed down).

a. As your kindling (or logs, depending on preference) start burning well, the first "control" to close is the door.

b. Eventually, your thermometer will show the temperature in the active zone, and you close the second control - the bypass, so the cat activates.

c. From there, you will do some trial and error at the speed and points at which you "close" (really, reduce, because it never fully closes) the thermostat to achieve the low burn you desire.

When refilling, open the bypass and, after a few moments, crack the door to prevent smoke from rushing into the house.

 

[GG Woody]

I would hope not!
(I suspect you meant the cat)

Ha!... yes... thanks for the correction!