I got a fireplace surround put in along with the fan electric fire a few years ago but because I have oil never needed to put it on - however have tried loads a times to put the fire on for that bit of added heat until oil heats up and the fire conks out and throws cold air after about 2 minutes. So it has never been really used.
I was told to pad the chimney with what I did a cushion and papers - could that be the reason. If it doesn't work I am looking for standard inset for the fire but with bars which I cannot find.
It sounds like air is not being drawn into the fan. Cold air has to be sucked in in order for warm air to be blown out. Are the inlet vents blocked.
If air is prevented from passing through the fire the element will overheat and the heat sensor will switch the element off , I presume the fans continues to run.
If you leave it for a while blowing cold air does it heat up again for a couple of mins .
no, old geezer back to hot and cold within 2 minutes - do think there is a fault but too late to do anything about it now - but am still looking for a small inset with BARS this time. Anything I have looked at are too big for my surround.