How hot should underside of hearth be getting?

[KraemerBAC]

Re: How hot should underside of hearth be getting?

I am hoping that moisture is the case in mine...I have 4 inches of 6/1 ratio insulating cement under my floor, heat for 1 1/2 hrs to temp and the floor begins to noticibly cool after about 5 pizzas. I maintain heat while cooking as well. I did check after the last firing and the underside of the slab was hot, didn't temp it... mostly in the rear wood storage just below the main body of the floor. I read an earlier thread where it was suggested that the underside get insulated to help retain floor heat better I may try this. Any thoughts...could it be as simple as just some moisture??

Peter

[KraemerBAC]

Re: How hot should underside of hearth be getting?

I suppose I should mention that it was only my 2nd full fire after successive curing fires

Thanks again,

Peter

[dmun]

Re: How hot should underside of hearth be getting?

It will take a long time to drive all the water out of your insulating concrete. Vermiculite and Perlite are sold as soil additives specifically because they absorb water. As you use your oven it will get better and better.

I think your heat under the slab is an indicator of damp insulation.

[KraemerBAC]

Re: How hot should underside of hearth be getting?

Thanks Dmun,

I was hoping that was the case...I'll continue to monitor it and update as changes; or no changes; take place.

Peter

[david s]

Re: How hot should underside of hearth be getting?

After the curing fires it seems to take about 10 cooking firings to totally eliminate the moisture. That is good because it gives you another reason to fire the oven.

[KraemerBAC]

Re: How hot should underside of hearth be getting?

I will add it to the ever growing list of excuses to give my wife

Thanks,

Peter

[KraemerBAC]

Re: How hot should underside of hearth be getting?

Well, I should have know you guys would be right..Fired the oven last night and while there is still some heat leaking into the slab it wasn't near as hot and seems to have taken longer to get there..I am on the road to fully seasoned!

Thanks again for the encouragement and words of wisdom

Peter