Today I nailed it!

After getting sorted from the project, I ran it hard, for about 12 hours

There where two distinct byproducts leaving the house. Steam that evaporates rapidly and “smoke”. The stove was still doing a cold bellow (not what is pictured), when wood went in it was arduous to get up to speed, find the draft/heat/fuel ratio sweet spot. That meant gross and copious smoke for more than minutes. Blech.

Today I realized more exhaust was backing up the flu into the oven’s back door than I thought! Duh, really. The simplest things can be so relevant. Plugged with CFB scraps held in place by bricks.

Wham, behaving as it’s designed. No gross plume, serious draft, now pulling better (and straight) into the bench via the water heater. Little steps along the way adding up. It’s been a busy couple months of r&d but the stove is up to par!!!