Cure before building the chimney and vent?

[gtofani]

I am almost done with the dome of my oven and thought I would move right into the vent/chimney area.
I noticed some ovens without the chimney.
Should I cure the oven prior to building the vent and chimney or wait until both the dome and chimney are completed?

[chidding]

Wait until you have done the vent and chimney, this will give the oven time to cure slowly.. by waiting 1-2months from dome till first fires, i have zero cracks in my dome after 3 pizza nights..

[GianniFocaccia]

Chidding,
Is there a dome mortar consistency that you employed you could share?
John

[brickie in oz]

Originally Posted by chidding

by waiting 1-2months from dome till first fires, i have zero cracks in my dome after 3 pizza nights..

Probably living in WA helped with the curing.

[chidding]

Honestly this was my first time using mortar so I can't give you exact details. But basically made it so my plaster trowel. (used to apply plaster inside?) could stand up without falling over?
Not sure what I did differently except for having a plastic sheet over it after every day. Also most work was in winter which means the temps were never
Over 20degrees Celsius.

I guess it was like a porridge consistency? Held its shape but was very pliable. I used silaset 40d from the company Sila.

[gtofani]

I imagine I wont be done with the dome and vent/chimney for a while.
With the Wester PA winters, I will probably tarp the oven until spring when I can work on the exterior.
This way I have about 5 months of curing before the first firing. My deadline is my sons high school graduation in June 2012. By that time I should be cooking pizza.

[GianniFocaccia]

Thanks Chidding. I'm sure the plastic cover contributed (I used wet towels) but cool/damp conditions would seem ideal.