Post by chas on May 29, 2015 14:08:01 GMT
As documented in my build thread, I chose not to insulate the dome as I wasn't convinced at the time my usage warranted it, only expecting to 'flashbake' pizzas where heat retention isn't the biggest concern. As is the way, I soon discovered I might like to keep some more of that heat in for longer and encouraged by others, notably CobblerDave, resigned myself to 'retro insulation'.
Resigned because a) vermicrete is cheap but a bugger to use b) ceramic blanket expensive c) I'm impatient d) I'd got a pretty good K-Rend finish to the dome and wasn't convinced a whole load of lumpy insulation would allow a second.
Anyhow, this is posted hoping that a step-by-step illustration encourages others. I got the blanket via eBay for £36 + £10 delivery - the best price I could find. I chose to use 2x 1" layers rather than one 2" as I thought it might be easier to manipulate. Knowing what I know now I think I'd be just as happy with the 2" stuff. Luckily, I had kept a margin at the base of the dome wide enough to accept all this.
Firstly, this blanket material is very 'compliant' - it pretty well stays where you put it, and all I needed to help (single-handed) was a length of string to hold the 'roll' in place. Attack it with confidence and it'll be ok. I did buy a cartridge of ceramic 'glue' thinking it would be needed. It's not - save yourself a tenner. Secondly it was a bonus that I had wire mesh tall enough in the roll (1m) to reach the top with no extras, and that the mesh was new and 'flat'... wrinkled recycled mesh would have been difficult.
1) a screw-eye rawlplugged into the front corner of the dome to take thin galvanised wire lengths for holding wires later - one each side, about 5 wires in each, but as many as poss - some for blanket layers, some for mesh. I bought 2x 25m rolls of thin galvanised wire and used most of it in the end to get a good shape.
2) blanket rolled around the dome, secured with string and wedge-cut to follow dome shape without overlap as it follows curve upwards
3) top-pieces added and a couple of wires used to secure, string removed, 1st layer finished
4) process repeated for second layer, avoiding the same joints
5) wire mesh cover dealt with in a similar way, but as the width is long enough to reach the top and the wire itself thin, wedge cuts not needed to make the shape, just cuts every 6" and surplus overlaps removed where they bulk up at the very top. With a final wiring to secure, ready for K-rend basecoat.
Resigned because a) vermicrete is cheap but a bugger to use b) ceramic blanket expensive c) I'm impatient d) I'd got a pretty good K-Rend finish to the dome and wasn't convinced a whole load of lumpy insulation would allow a second.
Anyhow, this is posted hoping that a step-by-step illustration encourages others. I got the blanket via eBay for £36 + £10 delivery - the best price I could find. I chose to use 2x 1" layers rather than one 2" as I thought it might be easier to manipulate. Knowing what I know now I think I'd be just as happy with the 2" stuff. Luckily, I had kept a margin at the base of the dome wide enough to accept all this.
Firstly, this blanket material is very 'compliant' - it pretty well stays where you put it, and all I needed to help (single-handed) was a length of string to hold the 'roll' in place. Attack it with confidence and it'll be ok. I did buy a cartridge of ceramic 'glue' thinking it would be needed. It's not - save yourself a tenner. Secondly it was a bonus that I had wire mesh tall enough in the roll (1m) to reach the top with no extras, and that the mesh was new and 'flat'... wrinkled recycled mesh would have been difficult.
1) a screw-eye rawlplugged into the front corner of the dome to take thin galvanised wire lengths for holding wires later - one each side, about 5 wires in each, but as many as poss - some for blanket layers, some for mesh. I bought 2x 25m rolls of thin galvanised wire and used most of it in the end to get a good shape.
2) blanket rolled around the dome, secured with string and wedge-cut to follow dome shape without overlap as it follows curve upwards
3) top-pieces added and a couple of wires used to secure, string removed, 1st layer finished
4) process repeated for second layer, avoiding the same joints
5) wire mesh cover dealt with in a similar way, but as the width is long enough to reach the top and the wire itself thin, wedge cuts not needed to make the shape, just cuts every 6" and surplus overlaps removed where they bulk up at the very top. With a final wiring to secure, ready for K-rend basecoat.
