This is what I found works best as well...1st Hour Chip loader out 1.5" then it gets pushed in, 4 hours with PMC has been taking just shy of 1.5 Rows...JJI get 2 hours minimum from one row, and that's with lots of airflow. Once the pellets get burning real good, I like to push the chip dumper all the way in to reduce airflow so the pellets burn a little longer. But some wood types burn longer than others, you just have to experiment and see what works best for you.