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Post by cannyfradock on Aug 15, 2013 14:14:46 GMT
Dunnes
I always try to complete the entrance arch directly after finishing the dome. Leave the mortar dry for 2 to 3 days then even if you haven't started or completed the insulation layer (s) you can start the smallest of curing fires. I would recommend 2 or 3 small kindling fires each day (if you have the time) slowly building up to "decent" fires over a minimum of a 2 week period. The more patient you are with the curing fires the less chance there is of any cracking appearing.
Terry
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Post by dunnes2002 on Aug 16, 2013 11:45:51 GMT
Terry,
thats not the answer i was looking for ........2 days of fires and then cook away, is what i wanted to hear!!
Ok my plan is to complete the dome and entrance arch over the weekend. On Wednesday I'll start to light small fires each day until Sunday when i will put the blanket and vermicrete on, leave for a couple more days and start to build the fires up again but a bit quicker.
I think ill only render the outside once I've had a couple of full firings to make sure there are no issues
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Post by cannyfradock on Aug 16, 2013 19:38:48 GMT
Dunnes Perfect logical answer!! Not many people have the patience to carry out a slow curing process of drying out the dome and some are even cooking pizza's after just a few days. I mentioned about building the entrance arch directly after the dome is built as you don't want a "soot" build up on the face of your internal arch. By starting your curing fires once the entrance arch is built will allow more moisture to escape before the dome is enclosed with thermal and render layers.....it's common sense as the bricks and water will hold a lot of moisture...which must be expelled. This will still happen after you lay the other layers, but the moisture will take longer to seep out of your oven. I am also guilty of impatience with the oven builds.....not on the curing process but on removal of forms once the dome or arch is complete. I have helped perhaps 6 or 8 people build the dome bit of a Pompeii oven. It's still a hobby for me so I have only a week-end to give my experience. As soon as the first ring over the internal arch is completed ..I remove the form and point/clean the interior. I put the dome former back in and make a sand former for the top of dome. After my capstone is in place I partake of a fermented apple juice and a couple of woodbines and remove the sand former (with fingers crossed) then point the interior of the top of the dome. I then build the entrance arch and remove the arch former as above. I then light a small kindling fire and take a photo. I am a bricklayer and have experience with wood-fired ovens so I take many chances. On my "Corris build" ukwoodfiredovenforum.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=pompeiiovens&action=display&thread=1031 ...I removed the arch former and the entrance arch fell down...oh bugger. Not a big deal for a brickie as it was re-built in an hour..... ...oh dear...I seem to be waffling on a bit. Your build looks to be coming along just fine!! Terry |
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petec
WFO Team Player
Posts: 232
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Post by petec on Aug 17, 2013 7:53:36 GMT
great progress - a lot faster than I was with my build.
You'll probably find it takes quite a few firings to drive out all the moisture - so go easy and dont be too alarmed if you dont get super hot temps the first time you fire up at "full bore". Dont be too tempted to go straight to full firings as it might cause issues.
even after leaving my oven to thoroughly dry out naturally for a couple of months after I applied my vermicrete I am still getting some steam coming off the dome when I fire my oven right up to max temps. Thats with 2 1/2 inches of ceramic blanket and 3 inches of vermicrete on top.
Its noticeable after a few full firings how the residual moisture is being driven out and how the oven heats up more quickly.
Last night we did a pizza night and got the dome up to over 500 degrees and the floor at something around 280-290 degrees. The pizzas didnt take long !! , but I nearly lost the front of my hair moving them around - still have my eyebrows though !! nearly did a Michael Jackson.
Good luck with the rest of the build.
cheers
PeteC
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Post by dunnes2002 on Aug 18, 2013 21:31:03 GMT
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Post by dunnes2002 on Aug 19, 2013 20:17:21 GMT
got a little more done on the dome and entrance before i light my first fire on Wednesday. the inside doesn't look quite as bad as i remember so no need to panic still very impressed with it.   |
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petec
WFO Team Player
Posts: 232
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Post by petec on Aug 19, 2013 21:33:11 GMT
great progress,
I'm sure it will cook great pizza!
my dome inside was nowhere near perfect and I wished it was as neat as some others I have seen here - but once the oven is fired up none of that matters - beautifully cooked pizza makes you worry less about it !
keep up the good work
cheers
PeteC
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Post by dunnes2002 on Aug 20, 2013 6:42:27 GMT
cheers Pete
Just been to pick up some kindling from Middleton (Leeds), £2.50 a bag weighing 8kg. Offcuts of fire doors including oak etc Abosolute bargain price if you live anywhere near there
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petec
WFO Team Player
Posts: 232
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Post by petec on Aug 20, 2013 10:33:42 GMT
Oh yeah !
whereabouts is it - I need some more wood so def interested.
Cheers
Petec
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Post by dunnes2002 on Aug 20, 2013 11:27:09 GMT
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petec
WFO Team Player
Posts: 232
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Post by petec on Aug 20, 2013 16:13:05 GMT
great - thanks
I have been looking for cheap supply of kiln dried hardwood but haven't found anywhere yet below the typical bulk bag prices.
Let me know if you find anyione in Leeds area.
cheers
Petec
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Post by cannyfradock on Aug 20, 2013 18:02:36 GMT
Dunnes
It's always nice to see someone who has taken the time to cut trapazoid...or wedged bricks and built the perfect dome. It's something I may get round to one day, but unless I do it for myself it will be a log time to come.
So I have the greatest respect for you as I can relate to your build.....as many of my builds haven't been exactly precise or pristine on the interior. I also have slipped...or bricks that haven't a continuous line as they rise up to the top of the dome. The main thing is to clean the "snots" or mortar that has squeezed out from the bricks....the best you can and tidy/parge up the interior with fresh mortar and wipe clean with a wet sponge.
The interior doesn't have to look the "bees knees" to have the "dogs bollocks" of a bread/pizza oven.
Looking forward to your next progression/post
Terry
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Post by dunnes2002 on Aug 21, 2013 20:19:29 GMT
Thanks for the words of encouragement, starting to get excited as had the first fire today..... Well flame at least. Whoever came up with the camping stove is a genius. Can't remember where I read it but thankyou. Got lots of gas and obviously gives a constant temperature, can also leave for a while.... Makes it a lot easier at lower temperatures. Attachments:
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petec
WFO Team Player
Posts: 232
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Post by petec on Aug 23, 2013 16:08:50 GMT
Hi again
popped down early this morning to pick up the kindling hardwood - great value for the bags. Just took 4 bags for now ( plenty ! ) and will see how good it is.
Thanks for the tip
Rgds
Pete
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Post by dunnes2002 on Aug 24, 2013 20:52:53 GMT
No problem Pete glad I could help. Mine's been burning very well over the past couple of nights. Rain has delayed any further work this weekend, should be able to finish the entrance, get the blanket, vermicrete layer and figure out the chimney on Monday. Will be a busy day, leaving a lot of tidying of the surrounding area and some rendering in a couple of weeks time. Oh and lots of pizza eating!!! Attachments:
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