Artigiano 120

[james]

Re: Artigiano 120

Hey Ryan,

My approach with this oven has been to do all the curing without the insulation installed, as I have wanted to see how it behaves with firing and the cracks. It's been interesting to see that as my fires got larger, the cracks inside the oven have stayed relative stable and not gotten bigger than they were with my repairs. The outside, on the other hand, has developed a crack network that has gotten a little larger each time my fires have become larger. I think that's interesting.

My view is that geometric structure of the dome is carrying the weight and gravity very well, while the expansion and contraction of the oven has pushed to outer walls to expand the cracks. I am not getting smoke through the outer wall cracks. Which is basically good news.

Now that my oven is fully cured, I have decided to completely reseal the oven one last time with a coating of Remix -- and call it a day.

I think it is going to work out well, and we've all learned from the experience.

For Pompeii builders, I would be very drawn to the idea of curing your oven without the insulation installed. You can see how the interior and exterior of your oven behave during the curing process.

Onward and upward.
James

[Ryan]

Re: Artigiano 120

James,


Your curing process reminded me of a question I've had. Do I cure the dome and then finish the vent and insulating process? I thought I fired up the dome when the vent was up and the insulfrax was on, but now I think I need to test the dome first. What do you suggest?

Thanks,

Ryan

[james]

Re: Artigiano 120

Day 4. Cracks, cracks, cracks.

I'm still burning scrap studs, with the dome hitting 400ºF+. The inside of the dome is looking good, but my little network of hairline cracks on the outside keeps coming back, so I have had to order another bag of RefMix.

At the start of the curing process, the oven puts out a lot of grey smoke, regardless of how dry the newspaper and kindling are -- the dampness of the oven itself creates a cool, smokey fire. As the process goes on, it's easier to start the fire, and my oven exhausts a lot less smoke.

It's interesting that the brick interior is looking better than the exterior; only a couple of tiny hairline cracks inside. The dome is still black, but we are getting close to some serious heat.

Next stop. A patch of white.

James

[james]

Re: Artigiano 120

Third day of curing and I burned some scrap studs from the renovation. I got the dome to about 300ºF. The dome interior seems solid, and isn't moving much, but I have a little network of hairline cracks on the outside, above where the major cracks are.

I'm going to keep patching the cracks when then oven is cool, and keep going with the curing. We'll see, and I can relate to Pompeii builders where the bricks shift and settle with the curing fires.

James

[Archena]

Re: Artigiano 120

Coolness!

[james]

Re: Artigiano 120

I decided to do the right thing, and wait. The dome interior and exterior have had 5 days to dry, and they look good. There are not cracks on the exterior mortar, and the inside looks stable. I added a thin coat of RefMix to smooth out a couple of hairline cracks where the mortar was thick.

So far, so good. I think the only remaining risk is when I get to the serious fires at the end of the curing.

Here are a couple of photos of the second curing fire. The first was just a newspaper.

James

[james]

Re: Artigiano 120

None.

But I looked at the dome today, both the inside and exterior, and I could see that the mortar was still curing. There were dark patches where the water was still curing out, which became smaller over the course of the day.

The curing fires will have to wait for a while. :-)
James

[Archena]

Re: Artigiano 120

Huh-huh...


You have no patience at all, do you?

[james]

Re: Artigiano 120

This is one of the "don't do this at home" moments. I get to break the rules because I am always trying to learn new things, and see how ovens respond to unusual circumstances. And besides, it's already cracked. :-)

James

[Archena]

Re: Artigiano 120

The dome is looking good, and the jack is back in the car (good thing I didn't have a flat). I went back inside the oven today and smoothed out all the mortar patches. The oven is big, and I had to climb all the way in just to reach the back and top. It must have looked pretty funny; a brick oven with two feet sticking out. I could just slide in and out.

It was all I could do to not light the first fire, but I will start curing tomorrow.

Next up, the vent/arch design, and decorative stone for the stand. I am leaning toward stone on the bottom and stucco on an Igloo. The vent arch is still up for grabs.

I will post a few potential design ideas tomorrow.

And the first fire!
James

Admit it - you stuck a lit match in there for a few seconds, didn't you?




Now, what was all that noise about 'wait a week before the first curing fire'?

[james]

Re: Artigiano 120

The dome is looking good, and the jack is back in the car (good thing I didn't have a flat). I went back inside the oven today and smoothed out all the mortar patches. The oven is big, and I had to climb all the way in just to reach the back and top. It must have looked pretty funny; a brick oven with two feet sticking out. I could just slide in and out.

It was all I could do to not light the first fire, but I will start curing tomorrow.

Next up, the vent/arch design, and decorative stone for the stand. I am leaning toward stone on the bottom and stucco on an Igloo. The vent arch is still up for grabs.

I will post a few potential design ideas tomorrow.

And the first fire!
James

[Archena]

Re: Artigiano 120

Lack of patience???

My favorite saying is "patience is a virtual; that I don't have." :-) My thinking is that the Refmix dries very quickly (it has rapid setting agent), so it is going to be as good at it gets by tomorrow. At least that's how I am rationalizing it to myself.

...

<insert rolling on the ground laughing smilie here>

You sooo need custom smilies..

[Hendo]

Re: Artigiano 120

One thing to note is that if you go for the wider joint, you should consider using a true refractory mortar.

Perhaps wise also to check the specs of the mortar with the manufacturer regarding joint width. For example, I have two (air-set) refractory mortars at my disposal - one which should not exceed 2mm thickness, and the other where wider joints are not an issue.
Paul.

[james]

Re: Artigiano 120

Thanks Dave. Drew, I like that. It has character. :-) It will never be perfect again, but hey, we like it that way.

I took the jack out, and so far, so good. Next step, vent and curing. The curing will tell me whether the cracks will stay the same, or get bigger. Life's one big experiment.

Ken, your heat stop will be fine. Sorry we didn't get you Refmix. :-)

[asudavew]

Re: Artigiano 120

One more thing. I looked at the photos of the inside of the oven, and went back to clean up the extra mortar before it cured.
James

Yeah.... I always see more mortar in the pictures than in real life...

Wuzzup with that?


Looking good James, I can't wait to see it fired up!
And holy molly! that thing was busted up bad!