Russ's 42" WFO Project

[cabsauv]

Hi Folks,
Last weekend I completed the final layer of acrylic render, I noticed a few hair line cracks on the outside, I will have to keep an eye on them during the curing to see how they hold up.

I opted not to tint with oxide as the advice I received was that the colouring can be a little hit and miss. Given the cost difference between an external acrylic paint and the oxide tint I figured that I’d get a greater colour selection.

There was much excitement in the house yesterday; I lit the first of my curing fires.

As prescribed I started small, just a couple of sheets of newspaper and a few slivers of kindling. It burnt for about 5 – 10 mins, however I wasn’t about to ascertain how hot it got inside the chamber. If I was to take a guess based on holding my hand up on the inside I’d say perhaps 100˚C or so.

I might have to invest in an infrared temperature gun, they look the goods; has anyone had any experiences using them?

All going well I will do the same again tonight, and start to slow build up the heat. More ot following coming days.

[Dino_Pizza]

Russ, the oven looks terrific! It's just beautiful. You should be proud.

I use an infrared thermometer gun all the time with the oven. There are 2 kinds, a less expensive one that only goes up to a few hundred degrees, the slightly pricier one that goes up to something like 1200 degrees. You need that one. It's going to be really handy when you 'shoot' the floor in case it's too hot or cooled off for proper pizza crust. You'll also need it for general baking. I would stick with very light paper, twig and cardboard fires for a few days until you buy one of those thermometer guns. You don't want the dome getting 500 degrees on the 3rd day by accident (like mine did )

Ideally, you want to keep the temp up for a few hours a day as you are curing. It is easiest with a small electric heater/fan set on low. Also, for your 1st couple of days with newspaper and twigs, spread the small around different areas of the floor. The 100 degrees per day increase works good, but I'd stretch it out a couple more days early on.

I'll be sure to drink a toast tonight to your success: Cheers, Dino

[cabsauv]

Much has happened over past number of weeks, but best of all my WFO is cured with only some hairline cracks on the external render. But based on other posts these are nothing to be worried about. Since painting the external dome with a couple coats of a good acrylic paint they are barely visible.

I put it to the test last night with a couple of friends, pizza's were a huge success

In the coming week I hope to complete the bench, tiling and install the BBQ.

Happy New Year to all.

[Neil2]

Nice build Russ. Great pictures.

[dusty]

Congradulations Russ - it looks fantastic!

Looks really big in there too. Is it? Or are those just small pizzas?

dusty

[Mike D]

Looks great. Very clean. Some of the ovens look really big and take over the space, yours seems to fit nicely.

Mike

[NathanC]

I'm at a stage where I'm just about ready to start covering over my insulating blanket with the render, can you advise what materials you used in yours and where you got them from in Adelaide?

Cheers