Removing soot on outside of pizza oven?

[GrahamG]

We have built a base and assembled the pizza oven as per the instructions and we have fitted the correct flue, however when I fill the oven with wood and set it alight (the bit I REALLY enjoy...) the fire seems to billow out smoke and the soot is on the front of the pizza oven aperture, how can i clean it??

The pizza oven has been fired for around 30 times in the past 4 months, so is well and truly dry inside. The wood could be damp (we are in the UK!), the flue is the diameter recommended by the manufacturer.

What can I do to remove the soot, as if I use a soft brush and water it seems to spread it? And what can I do to reduce the smoke?

I am setting the fire in the centre of the pizza oven (dome shaped).

Thanks

G

[david s]

1. Don't fill the oven with wood, but gradually increase the fuel to start.
2. Try the "top down method" for smokeless starting.(search the forum for this if you don't know what it is)
3. A new oven wil smoke more.
4. If your flue diameter is inadequate the oven will smoke more.
5. If the entry does not funnel to the chimney the oven will smoke more.
6. Use dry wood.
7. Don't use wood with bark.

If you tile around the entry with glossy tiles, smoke staining will come off really easily by rubbing with damp newspaper, but use a black grout.
If you have a nice brick entry you'll probably never get it off. I've tried lots of things, but never found anything to work. Let us know if you do.

[cobblerdave]

Hi
My gas oven cooks things by burning...but just looks well just like a gas oven.
My Wfo well burns wood and a little smoke stains just adds to the charm.
Best thing about a wfo oven .... no cleaning ...well a bit of ash. Lite another fire and the carbon burns away ..no chemicals no monthy clean
....pricless

Regards Dave

[david s]

Dave,
I agree with you, but an oven can be designed so that smoke is not an issue and the front does not get all sooted up. Some people like to have a nice decorative arch and like to keep it that way.
Dave

[Neil2]

What is wrong with a little soot ? If you visit Italy or Croatia you will see that all the small restaurant ovens have a bit of soot build up.

But if you want to remove it, get a small tooth brush ....

[Tman1]

Last year I helped rebuild a fire damaged house. There was a bunch of soot staining. We hired a buy to do "soda blasting". Think sand blasting, but using baking soda instead. He cleaned a bunch of the interior of the house, and some soot on the exterior and didn't damage anything. I will say it wasn't 100%, but I bet it was 98%.
Here's a video which does some explaining.
Eastwood Soda Blaster on My Classic Car - YouTube

[Tman1]

Did a little more looking.. you could probably find a Youtube video to build your own.. also looks like Harbor Freight sells them.
Good luck!

[Tscarborough]

TSP and bleach.

[Les]

Originally Posted by Tman1

Last year I helped rebuild a fire damaged house. There was a bunch of soot staining. We hired a buy to do "soda blasting". Think sand blasting, but using baking soda instead. He cleaned a bunch of the interior of the house, and some soot on the exterior and didn't damage anything. I will say it wasn't 100%, but I bet it was 98%.
Here's a video which does some explaining.
Eastwood Soda Blaster on My Classic Car - YouTube

Interesting. I have a small sandblaster, I would think that it could disperse the soda as well. It looks like HF sells a 50lb bag for $36.00 - sounds like a deal if it can get the look back to day one. Thanks for the lead - never heard of it.

[Tscarborough]

Yep, soda is about the only thing you should blast brick with.