Cleaning Dome Mortar

[pappap]

I am building my first oven and would like to know how am I going to clean mortar from the inside of my dome if I use a foam board form? I am sure that the mortar is going to be quite hard before I can clean it. Also how wide can the mortar joints be if I use the Forno Bravo mortar?

[dent ford]

Re: Cleaning Dome Mortar

you could try Sure-Klean or some of that sort read the directions before that though good luck

[pappap]

Re: Cleaning Dome Mortar

Dent, I appreciate the help from down under. I am more concerned about the mortar that will surely collect on the inside of the dome . Since I am going to use a foam board mold, I will not be able to remove the excess mortar as the bricks are laid. How do people that use molds of any type clean the excess hardened mortar from the inside of the dome? I would like to use a mold as I am obviously not a mason. I made my living in the engineering world. I did the drawings. Getting a picture?

[mrchipster]

Re: Cleaning Dome Mortar

Dent, I appreciate the help from down under. I am more concerned about the mortar that will surely collect on the inside of the dome . Since I am going to use a foam board mold, I will not be able to remove the excess mortar as the bricks are laid. How do people that use molds of any type clean the excess hardened mortar from the inside of the dome? I would like to use a mold as I am obviously not a mason. I made my living in the engineering world. I did the drawings. Getting a picture?

Why not use an indspensable tool that way you can clean the inside as you go?

chip

[Les]

Re: Cleaning Dome Mortar

Or a simple vane. You do need to clean as you go or you will be spending a lot of time with a grinder and acid. Keep the gap to a minimum. That requires cuts, some have choose not to do so and their ovens work just as well. It's just a matter of preference.

[Neil2]

Re: Cleaning Dome Mortar

"I am more concerned about the mortar that will surely collect on the inside of the dome ."

This is just an aesthetic issue. Knock the big chunks off and leave it at that.

[cobblerdave]

Re: Cleaning Dome Mortar

Hi
I used a plywood dome guide... was mindful of the excess mortar and was still able to wipe most blobs as I went. When finally burnt out (the Fun bit) I found only a few blobs here and there....which were easily knock off
Trust me after the first pizza you will no worry


Regards Dave

[brickie in oz]

Re: Cleaning Dome Mortar

I didnt bother at all, there are still some dags and lumps hanging off the ceiling of the oven, most feel off when it got hot for the first time.

I just cant see the point of scrubbing out an oven?

[dent ford]

Re: Cleaning Dome Mortar

you can try muriatic acid, but you have to be careful, it etches

[cobblerdave]

Re: Cleaning Dome Mortar

I've crawled into my oven once....its not for the fainthearted......but to go in with acid now that scares the "Bejesus" outa me

Regards Dave

[mrchipster]

Re: Cleaning Dome Mortar

you can try muriatic acid, but you have to be careful, it etches

There is no way you should go inside the dome with acid. This would be a guaranteed way to scar your lungs, professionals use very expensive and exotic equipment when doing acid washes and I am sure you do not have everything needed to be safe.

Chip.

[Poops]

Re: Cleaning Dome Mortar

I got awfully concerned about the "unsightly stains" on the inside of my oven, even starting a similar thread on the subject of cleaning them off:

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f8/m...cks-15963.html

I did spend some time laying on my back feeling claustaphobic inside my completed oven dome with a wire brush attachment on a power drill. After covering my hair, face and probably lungs with powdered mortar (and the odd chunk), I realised that despite the effectiveness of the technique, it really wasn't worth it.
My advice would be to not get too carried away and spoil the fun of the build worrying about such minor details. See what's left after your curing fires and if you you're still worried, then an hour with a wire brush will probably get rid of anything significant.

Good luck.