Oven Curing Firing Your Oven Discuss Oven Curing in the Oven Management forums; Thanks guys. I'm just about to close my 42" in in the next week or so and this is just ...

[MK1]

Thanks guys. I'm just about to close my 42" in in the next week or so and this is just the information I need. Dino, in particular, thanks for the insight into why your oven cracked, maybe more than the average amount. The gas burner sounds nice and controllable. Thanks for the great method David.

Mark

[Harrison]

hi guys,

i have finished my oven about 3 weeks ago. i used 1 inch thick high grade refractory mortar as render over the dome, then 2inches if ceramic fibre blanket and finally an inch of cement render (added fire-clay and lime) to finish.

i havent yet started the firing process as i have a concern. The weather down here in Sydney Aus is cold and wet. Over the past 3 weeks, almost half of the days it has been raining. My oven is out in the back yard in the open. would it still be ok to begin the firing process?

regards, Harris.

[david s]

The outside render needs at least a week of dampness to increase its strength. Ferro cement boat builders talk about 28 damp days. I would be starting the curing process, but don't rush it. You can cook bread and roasts at 200 C just don't be in a hurry to get to pizza temp.

[Harrison]

cool thanks for the advice. starting the firing today

I just had some firewood delivered (ironbark $65 for quarter ton) and the sizes of the pieces are approx L30cm x W10cm x D15cm. I feel as though they may be a bit too big?? what do you think?

..and because its ironbark, it will take some hard yakka to split them..

[bimbo]

Originally Posted by Harrison

I just had some firewood delivered (ironbark $65 for quarter ton) and the sizes of the pieces are approx L30cm x W10cm x D15cm. I feel as though they may be a bit too big?? what do you think?

..and because its ironbark, it will take some hard yakka to split them..

I would split some of it down to pieces about 3-5cm round to use to get the fire going. If it is well seasoned it should split ok with an axe

[david s]

As a general rule I reckon burn nothing thicker than your wrist

[Harrison]

thanks David, ive decided to go with your idea and am splitting the wood to 'wrist thickness' as i go..

finally i completed my curing/firing yesterday. Today i wanted to fire it up to see how hot i can get it. Admittedly i didn't load it too much but had a descent size fire going for about an hour or so... burnt through about 24 logs 2''x3''x16'' each.

only managed to get the internal temp upto 280C... i imagined it would have got alot hotter... any advice on what im doing wrong?

the outside of my oven was only slightly warm to the touch.. and also the top of the chamber(on inside) turns white, which i am told by my elderly italian neighbour it indicates ideal cooking temp

[david s]

Your oven still contains water and the fuel is busy using its energy to convert it to steam. Don't try to get the dome completely white yet. Do some roasts or bread making. You will find that your oven will use less fuel and get to temp quicker the more you use it. Reread the threads on oven curing and enjoy some cooking along the way,
Cheers

[blacknoir]

On the last day when I reach 800 can I make a standard pizza making fire? Or should I only let it get to 800 and then die down? I'm ready to clear up the dome and cook some pizzas in the inferno from hell!!

[SCChris]

I have a question on an LP burner to use for the initual 300 degree 24 hour burn.

Is this what we're talking about? (I found MK1s pictures of his burner, shown as burner2) This makes a bit more sense as nothing is combustable on his rig.


Thanks

Chris