42" Brick Oven & Grill in Los Angeles.

[stonecutter]

Re: 42" Brick Oven & Grill in Los Angeles.

That is what I do after the first couple firings, but not with charcoal. I just burn wood, then spread the coals around, feeding it small kindling now and then.

I don't see why your suggestion wouldn't work..there is only the standing caution of not heating things up too fast too soon.

[david s]

Re: 42" Brick Oven & Grill in Los Angeles.

What do you guys think about having individual heat beads/briquettes spread around the floor, this way its not just in the center of the oven and the lower walls have a chance to heat up all well.

Yes, I use this method. The heat beads provide a slower burning fire and the bottom of the oven and around the floor is the last place for the water to be removed.

[V-wiz]

Re: 42" Brick Oven & Grill in Los Angeles.

Great thanks guys. Ill stock up on a bag of these. Ive been heating the oven shy of 200f would it be ok to go up to 300 or is that pushing it?

[david s]

Re: 42" Brick Oven & Grill in Los Angeles.

Buy three bags. Do a rough calculation of how much water you have added. Two bags of vermicrete will take around 60 litres of water alone which is 60Kgs. Expect around the same weight in fuel as a rough guide, to remove that water.

[V-wiz]

Re: 42" Brick Oven & Grill in Los Angeles.

No vcrete for me all CF insulation which will be put on next week or so. The oven is pretty dry ( i think, per my moisture meter) its been completed for over a month and been under warm sunlight.

[david s]

Re: 42" Brick Oven & Grill in Los Angeles.

Good, then you have less water to remove, but it will still be more than you would think.

[dvm]

Re: 42" Brick Oven & Grill in Los Angeles.

Great thanks guys. Ill stock up on a bag of these. Ive been heating the oven shy of 200f would it be ok to go up to 300 or is that pushing it?

Remember that water boils at 212 F. I spent a few days below 200 before going above boiling (using old sterno cans). I then used About 5 bags of brickets spread around the floor over three days - Then I went to wood. At least that is how I choose to remember what I did (it's hard to remain patient).

[V-wiz]

Re: 42" Brick Oven & Grill in Los Angeles.

Remember that water boils at 212 F. I spent a few days below 200 before going above boiling (using old sterno cans). I then used About 5 bags of brickets spread around the floor over three days - Then I went to wood. At least that is how I choose to remember what I did (it's hard to remain patient).

Thanks for the info. Ill throw in the weed burner in there tonight and try to achieve 250F. If i can achieve 250F i will go 300-320F tomorrow.

[V-wiz]

Re: 42" Brick Oven & Grill in Los Angeles.

Well i used half a bag of the briquettes and got up to 225-265. Tomorrow ill get it up to 350 using briquettes and mesquite lump charcoal.


Also the weed burner proved to be a useless device. It would mostly heat the top.

[cobblerdave]

Re: 42" Brick Oven & Grill in Los Angeles.

Gudday V
Buddy I feel for you ....it's a thankless task.
What might help is that you raise the fire above the hearth brick on anything an old fridge rack some wire mesh. Being the QLD I got a wet oven on occasions. Sometime you think the hearths dry but the heat brings out the moisture and makes the fire smoke and burn badly.
Hope this helps in some way
Regards dave

[stonecutter]

Re: 42" Brick Oven & Grill in Los Angeles.

One oven we built in the dead of winter. When the oven was done, we put an electric heater inside it day and night while we did the stonework. It seemed to work o.k. but the moisture wasn't really driven out until we started firing it. Patience....you'll get there!

[V-wiz]

Re: 42" Brick Oven & Grill in Los Angeles.

Thanks fellas, appreciate the advice. The charcoal is working fine for now, for a stronger fire ill switch to wood. Dave i didnt get any smoke using the heat beads/ briquettes, however the propane weed burner did blacken the oven and created visible smoke.

[V-wiz]

Re: 42" Brick Oven & Grill in Los Angeles.

Some photos from this morning. Got the oven temp up to 350F, the walls were 300-325. Ill shoot for 400F next time.

[V-wiz]

Re: 42" Brick Oven & Grill in Los Angeles.

Some more curing fires.

[V-wiz]

Re: 42" Brick Oven & Grill in Los Angeles.

Ive posted a new thread that i would appreciate you guys take a look at.

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f16/...tml#post150539