New to raised flue evaporator this year.(2 X 6 Small Brother) I was using a flat pan home made system prior to this. I think I should be getting a better gph then I am.

I notice that the flue pan boils rapidly in about the 1st third closest to the fire but not so much near the stack - is this normal or should I have a good rapid boil throughout?

Also what is normally done for air flow. I have the damper below the doors wide open but still leave the doors open some. Should I close the doors completely and just use the lower damper?

Also the damper in the stack seems to do a good job of controlling the heat to the syrup pan when closed and the flue pan when opened. Just wondering how you guys out there run your systems.

Basically new at this and any help would be great.