Oven door questions

[chickade]

We finished the perlcrete layer thanks to all your help- I'm using a space heater for the next month at night just in case.

I'm experimenting with the materials I have left over to make a door, and wanted your input, if possible.

I have a piece of 2 1/2 inch thick foamglass covered with hardware cloth, with reinforcing sheet metal on both aides, and wooden handles held together with carriage bolts- please don't laugh at my amateur attempt at door design.

I made a wooden form and am planning on casting the door using a mixture of perlite and refractory cement (4 to 1) to surround the foamglass/hardware cloth, then sealing the casting with a thin layer of the refractory.

Does this seem like a crazy idea? At least I will get experience with casting which interests me.

Thanks in advance.

Sarah

[david s]

Re: Oven door questions

i've been down this road too, I think you will find 4:1 too weak. If it were mine I'd use 3:1 or 2:1 What you gain in insulation value you lose in strength. Perlite can be fired up to 1100 C by the way. You can increase the strength by firing the panel, but you probably need to go to 1000 C. Ask your local potter.

[Laurentius]

Re: Oven door questions

Chickade,

That will double as a great fish grill.

[deejayoh]

Re: Oven door questions

Have you thought about using metal plate over the mesh? Masonry materials don't seem like a great coating for something you need to slide in and out of an oven. Too brittle.