smitty81 said:If I took a temp gun and took the temp of the stove top, I could expect the flue temp to drop and the stove top temp to rise as I shut down the air control?
Am I understanding this right?
Yes, this is the way most metal topped stoves react when all systems are working well.
When the firebox is flooded with air, the flames and fire can wrap around the baffle and even up the flue pipe for a ways. By closing down the air control, primary air is reduced and secondary air takes over, forcing a hotter fire with much more complete combustion, all within the firebox.