Well a bit of a play on words with my screen name. I am a sailor but land locked now, living in the desert. So I don't actually sail the land yachts. I do build wood boats though. I have been out to the Alvord desert in Eastern Oregon when they gather there to watch them go screaming across the playa. I have thought about building a small land yacht, as I have a couple sail rigs that I could tinker with!
Personally I'd like to see more space between the grate and the bottom of the firebox so you have more room for ash to fall. Lump is going to burn a bit hotter, but not last as long but ti may be what you need to get it going. Try a run with just lump and see what happens. If that's not upping the heat try the hair dryer.
I did try cracking the door and left it against the latch so I could see in the firebox, it did not seem to make much of a difference in the burn rate. I was using mainly wood chunks once it got going. I am wondering if using lump will make a difference. Would holding a hair dryer towards the air intake simulate a bigger air intake? Also I do have a little infra red temp gun I could use to take readings but where and how should I be checking the firebox/cook chamber and what kind of temps should I see?? I was having to add wood about every hour but I am not really sure how much fuel I should be loading in.
