Summer Strategy to Prevent Outfires

I had my first outfire a couple of weeks ago, during warm weather, since I installed the EFM a year ago. I swapped to oil for domestic HW but recently restarted to stoker due to the cool weather this week.

I need insight into the best strategy to prevent outfires during low heat demands. I run at 4 teeth/4 air. Aquastat is at 140 low and 195 high. Is it better to lower or raise the amount of teeth. How about raising air? My initial thought is to lower the tooth setting and raise air in order to stoke hotter every 1/2 hour. I'm running 1 1/2 minutes per half hour on the timer. Is it better to raise or lower the timer setting?

My goal is to avoid all oil use. I like to support the local economy and avoid sending dollars to people who don't like the U.S. Any insights would be appreciated.

Did the fire go out because the water temperature went above the high limit and you missed a few timed runs? If so, a dump zone would probably stop that type of outfire. That would require that you add another aquastat, such as an L6006. You might try 3 teeth and 3 air and monitor the pot. My brother-in-law goes down to 1 tooth in the Summer.

If the fire goes out and the temp is below the high limit, you could increase the timed runs and check if you have enough draft.

Do you have the outfire aquastat installed to shut off the coal feed?

It sounds like you have everything set up OK, otherwise.

I take off the boiler jacket to bleed off the heat that builds up with no demand. Works for me and easier than installing a dump zone. And definatly go to 3 teeth and adjust air acordingly.