adding air to firebox

[Bentley Wood Maple]

How do you balance the airflow between AUF and AOF??
Didn't see much response too AUF so added an airbox above the grates. Question if should re fab the air under the grates or just take what he have for this year

[Stu007]

You will need to find out how much heat you will need for your pans to be happy by trial and error. Once you know how much "fire" you need the process is rather simple.

After the firebox is hot you want to turn down your AUF fan/blower each time you load fuel. The reason is because the heat alone will release enough gases from your fresh wood to provide all the energy requirements when you close the firebox door. Your AOF blower should be set to eliminate any black smoke and should not require too much adjustment once you know what your firebox/arch/pans likes.

As soon as you notice any reduced boil turn up your AUF blower to release more energy from your fuel. As your fuel is consumed, keep turning up your AUF blower in stages until you do not see any increase in your boil intensity. This is when you most likely have just coals remaining in your firebox. Repeat every time you load fuel.

You will likely have to change timing of AUF adjustments and make AOF adjustments when your fuel type changes or the size of your firing load changes.

What you are doing by making AUF adjustments is attempting to release a consistent amount of energy for the entire duration of each fuel loading cycle. Separate blowers are highly suggested to allow a wide range of operating conditions and to allow precise adjustments to one without changing the other.

Best wishes!