Gas firing question Pompeii Oven Construction Discuss Gas firing question in the Pizza Oven Design and Installation forums; I've seen a few posts on here about folks using propane wands and such to do the break in fires ...

[WoodchuckDad]

I've seen a few posts on here about folks using propane wands and such to do the break in fires for their ovens. How long do you leave them burning? What process do you use? It seems like the easiest way to do it, to me. And if you get any kind of crack that requires a repair, the oven is still pristine (no soot and ash) so you don't get filthy making the repair.

So what procedures have you all used? How long do you burn it?

[david s]

I use 24 Hrs with my burner and it brings the oven up evenly and slowly to 250C in that time. It goes through about 6Kgs of gas. I then jump to a couple of medium fires to the 300 C range before really hitting it hard. Carbon starts burning of around 300C. My oven is small so a larger oven would require a larger burner, more time and greater gas consumption. Do a search on the forum for curing. There are a few threads.

Dave

[WoodchuckDad]

I'm glad you suggested searching curing. I would have started curing the day after laying the last brick and now I know I need to wait a week before doign that so I don't have too much mortar shirnkage.

[Neil2]

"I know I need to wait a week before doign that"

If you are in a hot, dry climate it would not hurt to put a pan or pail of water sitting inside for that week.

[vermont oven]

I am using propane to cure my oven. Day 1&2 300, Day 3 400, today 500. No cracks and easy to keep oven at a consent temp.

[WoodchuckDad]

Virginia is a very humid environment in the summer. Mother nature is providing lots of moisture.