My oven finally done, but

[jeemann99]

How do I get started? what type of wood how many should I use to start it? does it have to be done slowly? It has been done for 2 weeks now. I made a barrel template myself. The inside dimensions are 31"deep x 36"wide x 24" high.

Does it matter type of wood? how do you start the fire? when do you know to push coals to sides, back, corner etc.?

thanks in advance VERY NEW to brick ovens

Here are a few pics. just waiting on the granite tops to be delivered. This is my first attempt in building any brick anything. luckily my 1 friend who helped me has done paving before, although this project took some time, since it was only us 2 on our free time and after work.

thanks for any help

[azatty]

What wood to burn is a semi-religious question. Generally, though, don't burn anything other than trees (no plywood, etc.). I burn mesquite, oak, and pecan. I don't like the alligator juniper (that's cheaper) because it doesn't produce as much heat per unit. Pick the local wood that gives the most BTU per cord and that is within your budget.

[Tscarborough]

Burn anything without glue (plywood), bug juice (pallets), or too wet and you are OK. Start with small fires, like what you would grill a steak with and work your way up to, "Now that's a FIRE, Gus".

[jeemann99]

do i have to cure my oven first before starting to cook and full blaze

[brickie in oz]

Looks like your door to oven height is not to ratio, does it work?

[jeemann99]

what size should it be

[azatty]

60-ish percent of the interior oven height.

[jeemann99]

my actual door opening is 16" high and 21" wide. The height from floor to ceiling is 24" high. So, it is more like 70-ish. Will it work? will it take longer to heat?

[deejayoh]

I'm impressed you got this far without thinking about lighting a fire! Talk about delayed gratification.

I'm in the midst of curing my oven and found this thread helpful

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f16/...ing-17586.html (My take on curing)

Also, there are curing steps for ovens in the Pompeii instructions on FB if you haven't yet downloaded that, and also on the sites of most brick oven manufacturers.

[GianniFocaccia]

Great-looking oven! Is there any insulation around or below the oven? Does the flue attach to the top of the barrel?