Door closes off chimney

[Ellie]

What a dumb thing to ask. If I close the door to the oven it closes off the chimney.

To cook then, won't the coals go out and then I would be smoking the stuff? I have looked everywhere for this answer.

I built my oven from the directions on this site.

I have chicken in there now but with the door cracked a half inch for air to keep coals going. Well, that is my assumption anyhow.

Thanks,
Ellie

[fxpose]

Usually, if you're cooking with stored heat the coals will be cleared out and door closed.
If you want to cook with live coals/fire you will need to not use the door at all or regulate air flow by placing the door partially open.

[dmun]

Here's the page you're looking for:

Pizza Oven Management | How Wood-Fired Ovens Work

George has it right: if there's a fire in the oven, you pretty much keep the door off.

[Ellie]

Thank you both very much for your help. I suspect that my oven is not getting hot enough and not holding the heat for very long. It has only been fired 5 times or so.

I really do need to cook more and get on this forum more.

Much obliged,
Ellie