Gary, the front chamber is partitioned off from the back 2/3. I have tried without this partition, which works great if you don't want to grill anything at the same time. (opening and closing door) So then I tried a full partition, but I wanted to be able to "share" heat between front and back. Right now I'm trying out a plate that folds down the top 1/3. (about ten inches down) I will try to decrease that to @ 5-6 inches just to see what happens. Once I figure out exactly where I want it , I will build it out of 1/4" plate and make it permanent.
Either way controlling the temp in this thing is surprisingly easy using the dampers. Each stack has a hand fitted stainless steel damper @ 6" up from the bottom. All dampers are open when firing up. Once she comes up to temp and stabilizes, (about an hour in 8* weather) I can then close off or partially close the center damper for use as a RF. The factory air inlets on the Fisher stove are just about perfect. The RF plates are not final yet either. Still playing with a few different ideas.
The grill in the front is a heavy cast iron "pig grate" Measures 42" x 28". Weighs about 100 lbs. After a few tries I ended up using 2.75: 1 gears turning #55 chain to raise / lower the grate. I built the wheel using solid stainless steel and that weighs in at @ 100 lbs. The lower gears combined with the weight of the wheel, allows it to turn easy and stay in place without having to pin the wheel. You can easily lift the grate high enough to build a wood / charcoal fire under it, then lower to your desired setting. IT WORKS AWESOME!!
Still have a ways to go, and I ran out of good days to work on it. Another 6* morning with a few more inches of snow......
