Communal WFO query

[conroyt2000]

I have been tasked with getting a wood fired oven for a communal space in a residential building.
I was thinking that the easier it's operation the better to ensure that it gets used as much as possible.
so potentially if it could heat with gas and then put logs in it might be more practical than solid fuel only as it certainly took me quite few fires to work out how best to use it!
would be great to have any suggestions as to what might be best.
there are over 100 flats but I imagine it wouldn't be used all the time.
all suggestions appreciated!

cheers

[paul]

You could pre heat the oven with something like the gas burner on the link below. The dangers of doing this is that if there is any moisture in the oven you will more than likely crack it because your heating it so quickly. I can see argument over cleaning it out after use too.




www.gasproducts.co.uk/acatalog/Bitumen_Burners.html

[albacore]

I would think as soon as you talk gas (whether bottled or mains) you are entering a very heavily regulated world - think approved installers, certificates, annual inspections, etc. Could be expensive!

[oblertone]

I built an oven for community use (see thread below) but retained ownership, and therefore responsibility for maintenance etc; otherwise I'd share your fears about use and abuse. The gas idea is also fraught with danger in an unregulated environment; get the gas/air mixture just right, add a spark and watch it fly !

[purrcat]

Like anything communal, some will treat the oven with respect, some will simply use it like they think it should be used (rightly or wrongly) and some will simply abuse it.

It will probably see little use during the cold damp winter months and over use in the summer. The biggest risks come with under use and abuse when it is used by people who don't understand the need to treat it carefully.

If it suffers as a consequence many will be quick to point a finger at the builder/maintainer.

It's one thing building and maintaining a simple brick BBQ and something very different with a WFO.

I would tread very carefully.

[conroyt2000]

thanks all for your responses.
we have a mains gas supply running up to the terrace (or will!) and the use of it would be controlled by the building manager
perhaps it would be better to get solid fuel only as could be quite dangerous as you say!

[oblertone]

Using solid fuel (wood) only will also dissuade the 'casual' user who could have been tempted by gas; it takes some commitment to get a wfo up to cooking temperatures as most on here will testify.