Fire tips for a mason 2x3

[Person25]

Hello,

Ive run a 2x3 mason for a few years now so a few tips and things ive learned may help.... These little units run very efficient with a quick dry fire. Its pretty easy to get a good burn going, I usually can get the fire going with a piece of crumpled newspaper, 5 pieces of cord wood a few inches in diameter, and a few handfuls of kindling, chips, etc. I set up right on the grate with the paper, surrounded by two lengths, kindling on top and the other larger pieces teepeed over, simple. for the first 30 minutes of burning or so ive found that runing with the door closed but not latched, rather put the door latch on the angle iron with a half inch opening to let some extra air in. also, leave the ash box door swinging open freely. most of the air comes from the bottom and feeds under the grate. after you get a good bed then you close the door after every fire. To start just use the driest wood you have any variety, the size of your wrist rule is a good start, but you can go a little larger once you've gotten the coal bed built and stretch the 5 minutes to 10 between firing.

One comment on your bricking in the picture, it looks good, but you may want to consider building a ramp instead of a wall, basically fill the hole in completely and build it up so there's only a few inches of space under the pan, then leave a little drop down at the outlet for the flue. Thatll help keep more heat under the pan and from going right out the back and up the shoot. (i learned this after the first year).

Secondly, around the outer edge of the firebox where the brick comes up the steel lip you may want to chamfer the top edge of the fire brick to let the flame lick up the outer edge of the firebox and thus as far out as possible under because youll end up having difficulty boiling evenly in the last chamber near the draw off spout. I had originally gone up the edge with firebrick to the top, but after the first weekend of boiling i recut my bricks to have an angle at the top. Hope this helps, theres a bunch of other guys who have run these and since upsized to larger units who may have some tips as well.