new oven

[rmisale]

I have built a new oven and heard that the inside dome should turn white once fired up. I have had a couple of fires and it remains black? Is that normal?

Thank you

[Nic The Landscaper]

Re: new oven

Just means you need to build a bigger, hotter, longer fire. Post some pics of your oven too!

[rmisale]

Re: new oven

Is it okay to cook in with the black soot?

Thanks again

[fxpose]

Re: new oven

But during the curing process your low temp burns will keep the dome black for the most part.

[rmisale]

Re: new oven

Just uploaded a picture!

[rmisale]

Re: new oven

sorry I am new to all of this. I don't understand what you mean by curing process?
Thanks

[Nic The Landscaper]

Re: new oven

The oven looks good. I linked the image to this post so it is easier for people to reference.

Refer to the pompeii oven plans for the curing process. In brief it is the process of a series of fires increasing in intensity over the course of a week or so to force moisture out of the oven dome.

[rmisale]

Re: new oven

Can you cook during the curing process?

You guys are really helpful

Thank you

[Nic The Landscaper]

Re: new oven

Yes you can!! Pizza temps usually dont occur until close to the end of the process but roasting is great in the mid temp ranges.

[fxpose]

Re: new oven

Is it okay to cook in with the black soot?

Sure thing. In many instances you will not fire the oven to high temps so you will be cooking in the black dome.

Here's a pic of spareribs I did during one of the low temp curing fires:

[rmisale]

Re: new oven

wow.................

[rmisale]

Re: new oven

How do you limit the smoke when firing up the oven. I had a lot of smoke come out of the oven. Don't want to upset the neighbors??

Thanks

[KraemerBAC]

Re: new oven

Smoke mostly comes from wet or wettish wood until it drys enough to fully combust. Once your fire is in full swing you should have very little smoke. Most likely you will get some smoke when you first light up

Peter