Work of Love and Passion... Miami FL

[xfentonx]

Hey Gugahulk, could you post an image and/or the product website for the air mover you ended up using to reduce smoking out your neighbors? I'm having the same issue!

Many thanks!
Keith

[Tscarborough]

Once it cures, if you build the fire with dry wood, it will smoke a little for just a few minutes. Usually smoke is caused by either too green of wood or trying to start it too quickly, i.e. not enough air flow.

[gugahulk]

Stucco done, guys I have a very big important question. My oven is drafting beautifully and working perfectly withe chimney. Here i my problem.

I have a large tree on top of the oven, what happens is all the smoke goes up the chimney spraying the smoke very wide because of the tree. I am afraid that I will bother my neighbors with the amount of smoke that accumulates. Is there any way to reduce the amount of smoke that comes out of the oven? Also when you fire up the oven it never stops smoking? Does it keep smoking as long as there is a fire on the oven? I am still in the drying process and my oven is smoking like crazy and I think my neighbors might kick me out of the neighborhood if you know what I mean.

I am curios to find out how long your oven smokes before it stops, please let me know everyone.

[david s]

No, fires will tend to push out the water in the render layers . If you are trying to keep it in then you should wait.

[gugahulk]

Thanks David, I will definantly do that. I already added my scratch coat today I plan on using my brown coat and finish if I have time. I must say I hate stucco. It's not fun and makes a mess. Once I complete this stage I will wrap it with tarp to keep it moist as your recommendation. Here i my question. Can I still fire the oven in the mean time? Or should I wait for a week to start the fires? I hate waiting.

[david s]

Assuming all the water has been eliminated and you can test this by placing some plastic sheeting over the vault and seeing if any condensation occurs on its underside when firing. After doing the stucco layer I like to then wrap it up so moisture is retained in this layer for a week. This will enhance its strength. You only need to make it around 3/4" thick. Probably best in two layers, 24 hrs apart. For speed I usually do it in one go to save extra work.

[gugahulk]

Making progress, ready for stucco, any advice anyone?

[gugahulk]

Wow, is it me or this new forum SUCKS! I did not receive any notification that you guys posted on my Thread. I absolutely hate this new non working forum. I wish forno bravo would put the old one back. Thanks guys for all the support. I added the insulation and now working on the chicken wire wrapping. I hate this kind of work. I like brick laying this stucco thing is not for me. But I have no choice as I am committed to it. I added a total of 6 layers of insulation on the whole oven except the top of the dome. The top got 9 layers and the back got 4 layers. I think I am extreme but I hope to hold my heat for a while. See pictures below.

[mrchipster]

Gus, nice workmanship. Now on to the stucco stage.

[Greenman]

Looks good. You should be pleased with your tidy workmanship.

[DavidApp]

Looking good. Almost finished.

I like the look of the arch bricks long ways it gives it a great look. Don't think I have seen that done before.

David

[gugahulk]

Making some good progress... Can't wait to FINISH it, seems like taking forever!!!!

[gugahulk]

Making some good progress... Can't wait to FINISH it, seems like taking forever!!!!

[RandyJ]

I am guessing that the smell will go away when you clear the dome. I think that I had the same thing as you are talking about. You have to remember that people pay lots of money for smokers. I think it would be just fine if you cooked in there if you want. I was lucky and had a long time for each curing fire. The averaged 8 hr each some were more than 12 hrs long. It is very cool when the dome clears for the first time. Good luck you are almost there.

Randy

[DavidApp]

Hello Gugahulk Looking good. The oven will only clear when the brickwork gets up into the higher temperature ranges. 700 degrees or so. It will start to clear at the top of the oven then the clear area will work its way down as the walls get hotter. As I am heating my oven the dome gets black until it reaches working temperature then it clears off. The smell may be from the lower temperature fires you are burning at the moment.. A wet oven and possible not very dry wood. David Keep up the good work