Haven't had a fire this season...not cold enough yet. Occasionally, last season, I had to leave the door open to get the fire going upon a reload. But, only if the coal bed was quite small...about enough coals to hold in two hands (I was left with blisters every time :lol: ...Willy Everlearn). If I had a substantial coal bed, leaving the door open was never necessary. Also, I was burning less than ideal wood...oak that was seasoned only about 9 months, with an average moisture content of around 25%.
