Blanket before or after cure?

[gtofani]

When I am ready to cure my oven, I was wondering if I should wrap the ceramic blanket on it first or do the curing fires first?
Also, what about tarping the dome during the winter if I cant get the roof on this fall?

[SCChris]

Re: Blanket before or after cure?

My opinion is that up to about 200 - 250 a naked dome help drying, after this wrap it to help with even heating. Water is your oven's enemy, so keep it dry somehow. If it gets wet you'll need to cure again..

Chris

[Ken524]

Re: Blanket before or after cure?

I think Chris is giving good advice. I cured with my blanket on, but I like the idea of initially driving out some water before covering it up. Best of both worlds.

[chidding]

Re: Blanket before or after cure?

I did the same, did about 5 small fires (bigger each time).. with no blanket, then blanketed for the rest of the curing.. not 1 crack so something went right!