Are these pilots??

[etiger2007]

Ok I think these are the pilot holes that feed air into the fire, lots of burners talk about them but say they are in the front by the door on a dog house thing (whatever that is). Ok , my question is if mine are in the back am I still doing the right thing by rakeing my coals forward and loading back to front, this may be a weird question but I dont know. I dont remember my old stove having this. Keep in mind im a green burner and have had two stoves in three years.

 

[TK of SC]

Etiger, Those pictured are called secondary air holes that provide air for the smoke to burn cleanly after it reaches the baffle, but before it leaves the stove. You're doing fine raking the coals forward as the primary air comes from the front lower part of the firebox. That helps by getting the air really hot, helping the wood get up to temp to burn.

 

[corey21]

Those look like secondary air holes.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

And yes, you are doing the right thing.

 

[HotCoals]

They should light up like a gas grill!