Help needed! can't get a good draw

[Mingy]

Re: Help needed! can't get a good draw

Maybe I don't understand, but I believe you need a chimney and a door to get a proper draw. I did not try mine before had a chimney and door so I don't know for sure. I am in the process of building my final door (got the glass today!) so I used double thickness 3/4 exterior plywood for a test/seasoning door. I drilled a few 1" holes in the bottom to let air in.

[MarcMunier]

Hi all

First time post but already uber impressed with the skills some of you have!

Building my first oven, all gone quite well until I set the first fire................. the vent I cut in the front arch doesn't draw smoke effectively. (pic1)

I have widened the gap and also chopped some of the internal side of the gap to make it more curved (pic2) but I still get smoke drifting out the front.

However when I block the top of the entrance and put the large chimney on I get a really good draw and the fire roars (pic 3)

Is there something I can change now? I'm currently planning to extend the front section of the arch to encourage the smoke to go up the vent and or building a door which would replicate the effect of the bit of ply I have in place now.

But I'd rather not have to do that as when I would need to access the oven I'll still get a load of smoke in my face

Any advice as to how I can not get smoke in my face would be very welcome.

NB the dome hasn't had it's coat of render yet which is why is looks a little tatty..

Thank you in advance

Marc