Used whole firebricks instead of half

[Mexman]

A mistake was made on my oven dome, in which whole firebricks instead of half bricks were used. My dome is now 8 inches thick instead of 4 inches.
Will this have a neg effect on the oven performance for pizzas?

[stonecutter]

Re: Used whole firebricks instead of half

Just very,very long firing times...especially if you didn't insulate.

[Mexman]

Re: Used whole firebricks instead of half

I am insulating.
What is the normal heat up time for 4 inch dome vs 8 inch dome?

[stonecutter]

Re: Used whole firebricks instead of half

Lots of variables, but it will be hours

[Mexman]

Re: Used whole firebricks instead of half

How long would it take to get a small Fornobravo built to spec ( 4 inch)to get to to 700 degrees?
Is it worth the trouble to tear of the dome and If I can save the fire bricks, cut them in half and rebuild the dome.
It is not insulated yet.

[stonecutter]

Re: Used whole firebricks instead of half

What does small oven mean to you?...under 42"? I have a 33" now, my other was a 39"...fire time 1 1/2 if I was in a hurry, generally I like to fire at least 2 1/2.

8" vs 4" thermal mass? No brainier...knock it down and start again, you won't be sorry.

[Mexman]

Re: Used whole firebricks instead of half

I downloaded the Fornobravo building instructions and built the 36 inch interior .
I was under the impression that it would take just under an hour to get it up to temp

[stonecutter]

Re: Used whole firebricks instead of half

I downloaded the Fornobravo building instructions and built the 36 inch interior .
I was under the impression that it would take just under an hour to get it up to temp

Not with all that mass.

[the_dr_masuess]

Re: Used whole firebricks instead of half

Good luck on the re-Build

[Mexman]

Re: Used whole firebricks instead of half

I decided not to tear off the dome and start over. I talked with two different managers at FB and they both said that it wouldn't make much differance.
It may take longer to get up to temp., but not worth tearing down.
I'm in the week curing time right now and plan to start putting a small fire in it in about four days

[Les]

Re: Used whole firebricks instead of half

Mexman, Just read your post and you may be glad that you are sticking with your build. The Allen Scott design (bread oven) has the full brick. Yes, it will take more fuel to get to heat but it will hold it longer than any of our ovens. With a moderate fire I am at temp in a few hours and able to cook something on day three. It may take one or two more hours for you but you will probably cook on day five - not a bad trade... Let us know how it works.

[NCMan]

Re: Used whole firebricks instead of half

Mexman, Just read your post and you may be glad that you are sticking with your build. The Allen Scott design (bread oven) has the full brick. Yes, it will take more fuel to get to heat but it will hold it longer than any of our ovens. With a moderate fire I am at temp in a few hours and able to cook something on day three. It may take one or two more hours for you but you will probably cook on day five - not a bad trade... Let us know how it works.

I would suppose insulation will be even more important if he goes forward w/it the way it is. You'd want to save all that precious heat once you get it to temp. Insulate well, Mexman!! Then insulate some more.

[Mexman]

Re: Used whole firebricks instead of half

I'm on my third day of small fires. Today I decided to get her up to full temp.
After two hours of a roaring fire, I'm only up to 480 degrees
I hope this is not a problem for me. I'm only going to bake Pizzas and hoping I dont have to wait 4 hours for 700 degrees
I covered the dome with two inches of vermiculite . It's working great. The outside of the dome is still cool.

[Laurentius]

Re: Used whole firebricks instead of half

It sound as if your oven has a lot of moisture in it and needs more curing.

[Mexman]

Re: Used whole firebricks instead of half

Thanks for your reply. I hope that's the problem. I had a fire going for three hours and the oven got to only 500 degrees.
They finished the concrete work about a week ago and I'm building small fires the last three days. Today was a good fire and I notice a few hairline cracks.
Maybe I should have waited a few more days before a big fire.
One good thing is the outside of my dome was cool. No heat at all.