Curing and stucco question

[Behen]

We have been building progressively hotter fires each day this week, last night getting up to 600 degrees F with no cracks (repaired one in dome after earlier mistake of firing to hot to fast, the repair is holding well with no smoke coming out) . Today we hope to get to 700. This has all been done pre insullation but the dome has been tarped when it drizzeld during the week. Tomorrow we plan on putting 4 to 5 inches of ceramic fiber blanket insullation on the dome and around the vent area, cover with chicken wire and then a coat of stucco over the insullation and chicken wire. We are only going to do one coat of the stucco just to cover the insullation until we get around to covering the dome with regular brick as a finish, which with our track record could take a while to complete (into year 3 of build LOL). So here's our question, given that we're using around 5 inches of insullation does anyone think we will need to wait for the stucco to cure before we start firing the oven up again? If so how long should we wait? We're praying we don't need to wait to much if at all since we're dying to start cooking in it. Any thoughts most appriciated. Thanks

[texman]

Re: Curing and stucco question

If you have thoroughly cured the oven, then the blanket and stucco can be added and cooking can happen. The moisture in the stucco will cure independent of the oven since it is not covered and is separated from the dome by the blanket layers. The heat of the oven will only slightly change the outer temps where the stucco is applied. The key is making sure the dome is cured before blanket is applied. Cook away !
Texman
Texman

[Behen]

Re: Curing and stucco question

Texman, thanks for the great info! Hopefully we'll be enjoying our 1st pizza soon!

[david s]

Re: Curing and stucco question

I'd be placing one layer of blanket on then throw some plastic sheeting over the dome while firing. If you get condensation on the underside then you are still pushing out water. When all the water has gone place the other blanket layers on. It is better to eliminate the water before applying any stucco IMO.