That is a beautiful rocket stove, nice wields and construction, wielding is an art form of practicality that I admire but have never tried, I think maybe I should, I like what you have accomplished . Regards B-b
Nice work, I did some external modes and used some thin sheet metal bent one corner and would set it in place of the door. It sounds like a locomotive where the exhaust alternates in what way it wants to go with a preference for the chimney. Adjusted by hand on the metals placement. For starting a fire, having the sheet make 2 openings seems to be best.
You might want to look at "Aircrete Rocket Mass Heater Uses One Log for 13 Hours of Heat". It's important to use very dry wood for the rocket stove. People say that the wood for these should be drying about two years.
The aircrete rocket is nice but you have to worry about sparks popping back in some locations. I usually end up burning the wood the same year. Just have to clean chimney once a month. Had a chimney fire once and that's why I have a hose hooked up in the house.