Driving heat across the cooking floor

[gjbingham]

Not to worry Robert. I give bad advice all the time!

That's the incredible resource of this forum. You would never just take one person's word for an answer. You search the forum and read all that you can find on the topic. Most opinions agree, some don't. We base our decisions on what seems logical for our individual situations.

Having completed your build, I'd take your word as almost gospel for building issues. Conversely, I'd totally ignore you about curing issues until you've suffered the first crack, then second guessed everything you've done to this point. Reality sets in, huh? Look forward to your cure bud! Enjoy the process. Ignore the minor setbacks.
George

[Acoma]

Hey! I have cured sick children, doesn't that count?

[jwnorris]

Originally Posted by james

<snip> I also think the fire is much better on one side (the left of me), rather than the back (over even on two sides). James

Is this because with the fire in the back the natural tendency is for the heat to drive to the opposite side of the done and that is where the vent is? Therefore when the fire is at the side the heat will drive completely across the dome before seeking the vent.

Is this the correct logic?

J W

[dmun]

Let's have an argument about fire left and fire right. I'm a fire right kind of guy.

[Dutchoven]

Originally Posted by jwnorris

Is this because with the fire in the back the natural tendency is for the heat to drive to the opposite side of the done and that is where the vent is? Therefore when the fire is at the side the heat will drive completely across the dome before seeking the vent.

Is this the correct logic?

J W

That would be the logic...I think...but an added reason to fire on the side as opposed to back is that you will see the color on the crust and thus know when to turn...
All the best!
Dutch

[gjbingham]

Dutch's got it. When the fire's in back, you can't see the back of the pizza as well as when the fire's on the sides.

I was a right side fire guy until Bruce, the Broken Cookie and Fruit Preserves King saw me hit the wall a couple of times with my peel while I was turning pizzas (the wall is on the left). He says offhandedly, "Hmmm - maybe you should build your fire on the other side, then you wouldn't hit your handle on the wall". Simple solution to a very minor problem that I didn't even recognize. Now I'm a left-hand guy. I ignored the fact that I'd let habit completely overshadow reason and/or thinking. Thanks again Bruce!

[Frances]

How do you push the fire to the side and what tools do you use?

I've tried, but when faced with a raging fire nearly taking my eyebrows off, trusty garden rake in hand, and a hungry rabble behind me, I usually take the easiest path, which is shove the stuff to the back and get on with it.

As for knowing when the pizza is ready for turning... thats exactly the time it takes to put the big peel down after inserting the pizza and geting into position with the small round turning peel.

[brokencookie]

For a minitue there I thought old George was agona whack me with his rake and peel. Glad to be of service.

The fruit preserves must have been OK if I am the "King". Did you share with the crumb grabbers or hoard it for yourself ?

I think I might change my name to stalled in Olympia ( no building progress yet, just materials )

Back on topic
Heat moves from hottest to coldest. It's like air moving into a low pressure area. The heat will always flow to the coolest spot until temperatures are equalized. Having said that, I am a right side guy ( I think)

Bruce

[SpringJim]

Originally Posted by Frances

How do you push the fire to the side and what tools do you use?

I've tried, but when faced with a raging fire nearly taking my eyebrows off, trusty garden rake in hand, and a hungry rabble behind me, I usually take the easiest path, which is shove the stuff to the back and get on with it.

Frances, I just use a piece of old squared wood (actually a home made oar) to push the coals from one side to the other.....a poker for the logs (if any)...then some dry wood to refire. But if you're in the raging stage I'm not sure it's as easy to move....

[Frances]

Thanks Jim... that's just the kind of advice I think I can follow. I will add one piece of old squared wood to my Pizza baking equipment.