Lighting your WFO when it is frost/snow covered

[philb]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie. My wife & daughter bought me a pre-cast Wood Over from The Stone Bake Own Company for my 50th birthday

I've spent the last 3 months designing & re-designing & finally making the wooden structure it now sites on.

It doesn't yet have any additional insulation or render on it.

I've fired it a few times & made pizzas, bread & casseroles

I wanted to fire it today but the outside has frost on it & i'm worried fireing it my damage it.

Any advice please?

Thanks Phil

[cannyfradock]

Hi Phil.....welcome to the forum.

My best advice in this situation is ask the manufacturer/supplier of your oven for advice. THEY know exactly the do's and don'ts with the ovens they sell. We are a forum initially formed to help people build their own ovens but quite often members ask advice on modular ovens. Your choice of modular ovens just happens to be the best feedback from members of Modular....or kit form ovens. I can give advice but....again...your first port'o'call is to contact Laura (stone baked) for advice.

If I had the same question from a member who had built his own oven...I would advise gentle heating of the oven a few days before a date is set for date of the party. This way the oven has time push out any dampness ....and leave a little residual heat in the oven before firing up the oven to it's max. Don't forget that if the design of the oven is correct, then regardless of bone dry or fully wet, the oven can still be fired up to silly temps of 6 to 800c.

I think common sense prevails, as long as the owner of the oven knows a little of how much heat these ovens can generate ....and how water absorbed masonry/refractory concrete will react under intense heat.

Every WFO oven needs protection from the elements and only you will know how much water/frost has penetrated your refractory dome.....ask Laura's advice, but let common sense prevail.

Terry

[cannyfradock]

p.s.......nothing wrong in firing your oven up in the adverse of weather conditions.....



Terry

[bookemdanno]

Shows how good the insulation is doesn't it Terry!

[mattyb]

Hi Phil

I have exactly the same oven (purchased in October) and have fired numerous times throughout the winter with no problems.
When I purchased the oven I protected it with the Stone Bake sealant - £9.99 a tin.

www.thestonebakeovencompany.co.uk/shop/misc-items/

Had no issues so far other than a few cosmetic cracks on the dome. Will be insulating further throughout the year (fire blanket/render) to try and get more residual heat out of it.

Cheers
Matt

[philb]

Hi Matt

Yep i fired mine up & no problems either, just took it slow.

I also need to add more insulation so will have to compare notes :-)

Phil

Dec 29, 2013 13:13:15 GMT mattyb said:

Hi Phil

I have exactly the same oven (purchased in October) and have fired numerous times throughout the winter with no problems.
When I purchased the oven I protected it with the Stone Bake sealant - £9.99 a tin.

www.thestonebakeovencompany.co.uk/shop/misc-items/

Had no issues so far other than a few cosmetic cracks on the dome. Will be insulating further throughout the year (fire blanket/render) to try and get more residual heat out of it.

Cheers
Matt

[DuncanM]

I loved lighting mine when it was snowy (see avatar pic)