Mannextdoor WFO Brick Oven Photos Discuss Mannextdoor WFO in the Good Background Information forums; I laded another course today. I ran out of HS50. It might be a couple of days before I receive ...

[mannextdoor]

I laded another course today. I ran out of HS50. It might be a couple of days before I receive another bag. It looks like I may have 4 more rows to go, plus the key stone. I posed this question earlier. I don’t know which would be better, to let it cure out over the winter and fire it in the spring or fire it sooner and drive the moisture out of it before the moisture has a chance to freeze. Anyone have some ideas on this matter? Sorry no picture today.

[Les]

The little bit of moisture you have in the mortar - considering you have a couple of days to dry, should not be a problem. If on the other hand, you want to see fire - go for it!

Les...

[dmun]

I finished my dome, but not my chimney, when I closed my oven in for the first year. I let it sit over the winter, under a cover, and didn't start my curing fires until I had finished my insulation and my chimney, which was two stories tall and almost as much work as the oven.

I think if it's kept out of the rain, the little moisture in the masonry won't be a problem with freeze/thaw cycles.

[Frances]

Hmm, I just didn't feel safe for the Winter until I'd cured my oven and driven out as much water as I could - admitedly this was because of the mortar I used, but still... why wait?

Pizzas taste good in Winter, too.

[mfiore]

I really would like to fire up my oven before winter. The bricks seem to be damp (I may have over-soaked them). The insulation pad seems a bit damp, but holding up. I'd just feel better to get as much moisture out before the big winter freeze.

[mannextdoor]

I got another good lick in today. I think I have two more courses too go and a keystone. The hole in the top is 10” inside. I think I will lay back tomorrow and spend some time with the Grand kids and let this old body rejuvenate. I will try and finish the dome Monday.

[Dutchoven]

Mann
You are looking good! Excellent job!
Best
Dutch

[mfiore]

Wow. I'm still amazed how fast you are going. Certainly no compromise in quality, either. That looks great. Enjoy the time with the kids!

[mannextdoor]

Hi All
I had a pretty good day today. I completed the dome and cut some bricks for the front arch. My vent opening looks like it will be 14” by 4.5”. Will this be large enough or to large? Could the opening be made smaller? Because of all the controversy about the cure times. I spoke with Bob one of the manufactures of heat stop 50 today. Bob said that since HS50 air dries, unlike regular mortar witch is hydraulic, there is no cure time. There is no reason to keep it wet. Give it a day to dry and fire it up. What usually causes small hair line cracks is mixing the HS50 with too much water. If you get any cracks, just mix some more HS50 and work it in. The bad news is that it is not getting any cheaper. For a guy that has never laid a brick, I don't think it looks to bad. We will see what happens when I fire it up.

Mannextdoor

[Les]

Very cool! It feels great to drop that puppy in there doesn't it? Great job!

Les...