The secondary air intake nestled with ceramic fireboard. Originally it sat a quarter to three eighths of an inch proud (and then the firebox floor wore away with use).
To prevent said wear, the firebox floor is now an inch and a quarter higher, comprised of flat firebrick. The addition of thermal mass to the firebox adds a variable, one I think I’ll welcome, as the temp of the firebox will drop more slowly between burns, give fires an extra bump, helping green wood combust. (My goal of course isn’t to burn anything green, wet, as that creates creosote and clogs things up.)
Cleaning the firebox will certainly be easier! The transition for the secondary air intake has been cleaned up significantly and the air supply will be cleaner, more direct, with no ash getting in. It got clogged a few times, leading to the pipe burning out as air was not moving through, cooling it.
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