Last year was my first attempt with the block arch. I had it set up for two pans and couldn't get the front pan to boil with the open front (way too much cold air). I just turned a couple of stacked blocks to cover most of it and had a perfect sized piece of steel around the house which I used as a sliding door and for "draft control". Helped the front pan tremendously. This year I have made it longer (to fit three full, and one 'half size' pan), and really built up the arch with sand and set up some U - channel (with lots of holes) under the steel door that goes under the fire. Hoping that will get more air in there. If I get really bored, I can pump the bellows into it. First boil this weekend - we'll see!

Last years block arch:
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