Barrel Mod. Questions

[sap seeker]

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r106/gamefisher_photos/DCP_2192.jpg

Need some advice from the experts on the pictured barrel evap. I recently purchased a 22X32" pan for it. I plan to enlarge the opening and put angle iron down the 32" sides to increase strength, as the pan is fairly heavy. The new opening I'm creating will cause the bottom of the pan to considerably lower than the flue exit. I have enough room to leave the exit where it as but there won't be much room between the end of the pan and flue collar. I prefer to leave it and not cut a lower opening but not sure if I will get enough draft. Any thoughts? The less mods. I have to make the better.:D Thanks folks.

[Dennis H.]

When I made my barrel evap I had a pan made that was as large as possible, and for the barrel to handle that I had to make a frame that was above the barrel.
I made a frame out of angle and used angle to support it above the barrel. I then filled in the new frame with sheet steel. I raised my pan about 2" above the barrel but it could have been lower.

[sap seeker]

Thank Dennis H., I remember your project, a nice one for sure. A spent a few hours on it this morning, snowing like crazy here so a good day for it. Got it cut out to size and added some angle iron down the side for support.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r106/gamefisher_photos/DCP_2243.jpg

Need to maybe add another hinge but the door works fine:
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r106/gamefisher_photos/DCP_2242.jpg

The only thing I'm not sure of at this point is whether or not I need to lower the flue. Less than half of the 6" is exposed but I thought I'd try it first before changing.

Also tested my "new to me" pan. Supposedly leak free according to the place i bought it from but has two small leaks to be fixed.:cry: