Since I’ve used this stove a few times, I just wanted to show how you could load the wood in a North-South orientation. This wasn’t even full but it still burned all night and kept the house warm.
Lighting the stove has been very easy with a little kindling on top of the wood. It drafts very, very well (I have about six feet of single wall pipe in the house and another nine feet of double wall pipe for a chimney).
I’ve smelled smoke only once in the house. It was my fault. Open the damper completely (set it to 4 or IIII) and wait just a moment before opening the door. Even with the door open, the draft is strong enough that smoke doesn’t come in the house.