Firebox/Wood Question

[Lyndoula]

I hear different things and need some seasoned advice. Is there a correct way to load the wood? Cross cross or stacked? How much room is necessary between the pan and the wood?
I’m boiling on a Leader arch evaporator and I have a hard time keeping the temp up without loading the firebox full. I’m worried about scorching my pan as the logs are stacked pretty high.
Any help is appreciated.
Thank you

[ecolbeck]

I tend to cross stack the wood so as to maximize airflow between the pieces.

It is not necessary to keep any space between the pan and the wood. The pan and syrup will not be harmed.

If you are having trouble keeping temps up, it may be due to a number of factors. What diameter stack and how tall? Well seasoned wood split to wrist size? Damper fully open? Reloading every 5-8 minutes?

[maple flats]

I cross mine until I have a good thick layer of hot coals. As long as you have 3/4" or more depth in your pan you can not scorch it, but the pan must be level both ways. That fire wants to roar in the firebox. I filled mine to about 5-6" below the pan and I fueled every 7 minutes before I added air over fire (AOF) by using a timer. Once I had AOF I fueled every 9 minutes, a full arm load at each fueling for filling 1/2 on my 3x8. I fueled alternate sides, 2 doors, at each fueling.

[Big_Eddy]

My evaporator is smaller than Dave's and only 1 door. I also fire at 7 minute intervals on a timer and add a 2-hand sized "bundle" every time in a rough criss-cross pattern (as in - I throw half in angled left, the other half angled right, and close the door.)

With my evaporator, if I add too much wood the boil slows for several minutes until the new wood gets going. I get much better overall evaporation if I only fill the firebox about half full and fire more frequently, rather than filling it up and stretching firing out to 10-12 minutes.

[ebliese]

My understanding of things is firewood is usually the culprit-not seasoned enough. However, as others have said, there can be alternative culprits.

When reloading my firebox, I cross stack my firewood, like a grid.

Do you have a stack thermometer? What kind of rig are you running?