Yep the fuel/air mix is definitely hard to adjust. And getting too carried at start up can set loose a fountain soot. I've flooded mine out twice now and once a passer by stopped to see if the shop was on fire! A ball valve throttle is really not the best, it's hard to beat free. I had very little luck with only the draft pulling fresh air in, so I hopped mine up a bit with a hair dryer. Great heat, cheap, but still dirty. I have almost given up mine, but after logging in I'm starting to get the itch again. Good luck!