Sarah's Progress Photos

[Frances]

This may be a bit previous, but I don't think you've mentioned yet how you plan to finish your oven?

Can't help on the cracks I'm afraid, since the materials I used are so different. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you though...

[sarah h]

Frances, I'm not sure what the final finish will be yet - we'd love to retain the round effect of the dome but feel it could be extra work and perhaps a bit less structurally sound and weatherproof than building a 'house' around it.
For winter though, I plan to get a blanket on it and we'll build what is at least a temporary structure out of metal studs and some sort of roofing material that can handle snow-load, then tarp around the sides when not in use.
That winter protection can't come too soon though - woke up this morning to 8 centimetres (around 3 ") of snow!

[sarah h]

First, just want to say I hope all of you in the US are enjoying a Happy Thanksgiving, maybe even with dinner from your wood oven!

Just a regular work day for us here in Canada and in my part of it, winter hit with a vengeance - only thing cooking in my oven is a heater. I'm pretty sure the moisture is gone but until I can give it one more blast tomorrow or Saturday, I want to make sure it doesn't freeze.

Pics below of my poor oven - she'll get a nice winter coat this weekend. I have rescued the canopy twice from snow load - amazing it's still standing! I've used it for three years from spring to fall - it could fall down tomorrow and would still be the best $20 I ever spent!

Yard cleanup may have to wait till spring.

[Acoma]

Sarah, thanksgiving in U.S. went great. Your brine recipe was perfect. I fill the cavaty with pieces of tangerine, apple and pear, seasoning, broth, brown sugar and syrup. I then smoked the turkey until 165 degrees. It was perfect.
Acoma.

[sarah h]

Hi Acoma,

Glad to hear it worked out well. Bet that mixture you put in the cavity enhanced the flavour quite nicely!

[Acoma]

Yes indeed. Perfectly. Thank you for sharing.

[Ryan]

Looking good! It looks colder there than it is here. What are you going to use for your door? I have looked around for a cast iron door but it is hard to find the right size. Keep up the good work!

Thanks,

Ryan

[sarah h]

Ryan, it was -15C - 5F - when I got up this morning! This is way below normal for this time of year though, but the temp's on the rise today, to around the freezing mark this afternoon, then even better tomorrow. Have had a heater going and the dome was warm to the touch on the outside despite the chill (likely hell on the electric bill, but ...). One more fire, maybe tonight, then I'll be sure every bit of moisture is gone and it's safe not to heat any more.

As for the door - my neighbour had one made for me out of 14-gauge steel, with a handle in the middle. If you look back a few posts you'll see it there somewhere. I've found that if I leave it in place, propped up a few inches at the bottom with a brick, the fire burns really well. I'll be looking for a way to insulate it over the next while, and maybe decorate somehow too - right now, it's purely functional.

So, how cold is Colorado?

[asudavew]

Originally Posted by sarah h

I've found that if I leave it in place, propped up a few inches at the bottom with a brick, the fire burns really well.

I've got to get a door built and try this Sarah.

Sometimes I think my fire isn't drawing well enough. I bet this would help. Still haven't quite decided how to build one..........
I'm sure it will pop into my brain one of these days.
So far I have just been blocking my doorway with leftover bricks in order to retain heat.

Thanks for posting

Dave

[oventhusiast]

Sarah, thanks for posting the photos of the cracks in the dome. I guess it's true that they all crack at some point. I also had a couple of small cracks in my clay flue chimney (both rear corners). I think setting it without mortar on the bottom where it meets the oven may have been better than mortaring it in tight all around. Who knows? Anyway, I put a metal band around the base of the chimney and tightened it with bolts like a giant hose clamp. (not too tight but enough to hold it together) I think it's fine but I opted for some cheap insurance!
Rick