Replaced the andirons in the PH tonight after twenty plus cords, with a lot of hot burns. Here is the insides. For those not familiar, there is a small hole in the center of the plate that allows air into the firebox to help prevent backpuffs. The outer two holes are for the andirons bolts, and the center is for air. Note all the ash that made its way in there. Vacuumed. And reinstalled.
Yes, multiple times. We have a very strong draft (finally installed a stovepipe damper), and too big of a house for one stove.