Up in smoke?

[PizzaJNKY]

Well, I started my first curing fire today. Its been burning for about 10 hours now, and my wife is not happy anymore. She said the inside of our house smells like a campground. She said I should have warned her...How the heck was I supposed to know the smoke would go in the house? I've never used a WFO before.

Any one else have this problem? Or solution?

[asudavew]

Originally Posted by PizzaJNKY

Any one else have this problem?

No... but I could see it happening.
How bout keeping the windows and doors shut while curing.

Originally Posted by PizzaJNKY

Or solution?

Get rid of the wife.
The oven will cook better, it won't complain, and will be around for years.

[PizzaJNKY]

Thanks Dave! Now thats what I call some sound, but funny advice.

[asudavew]

Originally Posted by PizzaJNKY

Thanks Dave! Now thats what I call some sound, but funny advice.

don't tell your wife...

and please don't tell mine!

[thebadger]

Pizzajnky

Where's your oven in relation to your house???

What curing strategy areyou using....? Keep detailed records/postings.

Dick

[james]

Try burning really dry wood. It will put out very little smoke -- and it's a lot cheaper than changing wives (or husbands, as the case may be).

Your oven definitely should not smell like a campground!
James

[PizzaJNKY]

That could be it, wood might not be dry enough. I'm burning a combination of Modesto Ash, Fruitless mulberry and plum. My oven is 10' away from house, and I am using the curing method where I maintain first day fire at 300, second day at 350, third at 500, fourth at 600 then 700 on fifth. I think thats all it takes. I kind of messed up today, the fire was not getting hot enough, so I added a couple logs at once, and temperature of top of dome shot up to 580, yikes! Other than that, I've maintained it between 220 and 330. I didn't add thermocouplers, so I am only using an IR gun to measure temperature. The IR gun works great. I tested it against my bbq grill yesterday.

[PizzaJNKY]

2nd day of curing is going much better. I followed your Advice James. Last night, I put several logs in the oven and let them dry out with the retained heat. I just didn't have it in me to watch the fire over night. I got a late start today, 7 am, and so far the house does not smell like a campfire.

[james]

The house I grew up in had huge Modesto Ash trees in the front and back gardens. Great tree.

Can you feel the oven drying out -- and becoming easier to fire and heat up. Toward the end, I think you will feel it jump forward; ready to go.
James

[PizzaJNKY]

I'm loving it. I just read a post on "dirty steak." I just might try cooking those in the oven today. I wanted to wait for pizza, but its really hard letting the oven heat up for nothing.