New guy with a problem from last year

Nice!

 

Yup. We got a stacked arsenal here.

 

Yeah, price range in mind?

Stand up offer right there... metalcuttr does some fine work too!

 

Ok so this is the temporary fix that I came up with. As you can see I tapped 4 screws into the front where the primary air inlets are, and screwed down a thin piece of sheet metal. I ran it once and my fire certainly lasted much, MUCH longer. I checked it the following morning before work and it was still quite warm. I do think that it needs some primary air like you guys said, so I think I will cut the piece of sheet metal I installed to expose the center hole. But for the most part, I think we are onto something here. Thanks again for all your efforts and support!!

 

Your chimney flue may be undersized a bit.
To create a good draft, open a door and maybe a window on those particular colder times especially if high humidity times to help create a negative pressure in the house. This will help or solve w the cold air coming down the chimney and pushing smoke into the house. Once ur chimney gets warm enough(5 mins) it'll be fine.. just keep it going for as long as possible if u can.

 

You should strive for controllability in your finished design.
A sliding vent would be optimum. Allowing for different air settings not just one or the other.
Along these lines. Granted, this is a sliding fireplace vent but the engineering is simple and similar.
Vented Ash Dump