Relax you are over thinking this rather simple process.
Some basic elements that are important are
1. Start the fires small
2. Try to keep heat even, using the door certainly will not hurt and I think a good idea.
3. Ideally the masonry should dry as evenly as possible.
You can also use a small forced air space heater (on low) and let it run continually over several days. This in my opinion is the ideal curing method nice even slow heat.
James-The "NECESSITY" of cooling down between fires is not something I have heard can you explain...
