All this talk about dampers, when are they needed?

[Starting Small]

I have a small 2X3 mason evap with blower. I run the blower a full power because I do not have a dimmer switch on it. I hear people talk about dampers, how do they work and when are the needed. I thought I was getting good evaporation rate with the blower but if I could get more why not? I put some blocks to create a wall behind the grates to push the hot air towards the pan, to about 6 inches under the pan. Does the damper give a better boil or just reduce the amount of wood you use? Thanks!
-Dave

[Bucket Head]

Dampers are usually installed in the steam stack of a steam hood, not the smoke stack. You don't want to impede the draft of your rig with a damper. You might improve your boil with one, but I think your doing fine with what your doing now. Directing the heat to the pan(s) is what we all try to do regardless of evaporator size. A damper would reduce the wood your burning only because it would probably hinder the fire. You would lose boiling performance because of it.

Steve