new build in werribee

[david s]

Re: new build in werribee

From what you've said, the fuel you've gone through and the pics provided, I'd say it's ready to ramp up the temp. Just remember that you can take it too fast and risk damage, but you can never take it too slow.

[kbartman]

Re: new build in werribee

Colin,
Glad to see the dome cleared. Congratulations! If I remember correctly, after my dome cleared I continued adding wood slowly and held it at max temperature for several hours.

It's your call! I thought I was through my curing stages because of the prolonged high temperature held for several hours each day. I had several cooking fires that were brought to temperature slowly over several hours. My first crack did not appear until I lit a kindling fire to start the cool oven. I had been using charcoal started in a chimney starter then pour on the oven floor. The roaring fire must have created a great temperature deferential close to my inner arch. I think the key is slow heating to max temperature for many firings to give the oven break-in time (or until you get your first crack--LOL). Just my opinion, I really love the keystone clearing.

BTW....Do you have a thermocouple on the outside of the brick? This will tell you if you have saturated your bricks thoroughly with heat. I think that also needs to be taken into account during curing . If the temperature is relatively close to the inside, you can be sure there is no moisture trapped within the brick. At that point, I say...FIRE AWAY!

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: new build in werribee

Since three hours passed without any moisture, it appears your choice of wood was appropriate. Watching the dome clear must've been pretty gratifying, yes? . Would love to hear your report on any (hairline) cracks.

I am intrigued that in pic #1 the last course of light-colored bricks completely cleared first instead of the dome clearing across the top. The Circle of Life or Aura of yin/yang perhaps?

[oasiscdm]

Re: new build in werribee

Thx John and kb.

Compliments coming from you guys do make the effort worthwhile.
John as I have said yours is the prettiest build, and I thank you for all your assistance as we built those difficult landings flared and dropped front arch. All that shaving grinding helped the smoke flow. I was amazed when I watched the hat beads soot up the entry. Watching all that black stuff displaying up the flue was quite amazing. Wished I had got that on video. It was all over in about 30 seconds.

When do you feel I should build to clearing temps. As I can do that with the curing device as well as wood?.

[oasiscdm]

Re: new build in werribee

Well I got home dropped my make shift pulley cover. Put the plastic over the dome, threw a couple of bags of heat beads on, tossed in a card board box and temperature on the walls is now at 350c and top of dome about 415c walls not clearing, floor around 210c.

Now I'm curious with the plastic over the dome there is no condensation.
I have now kept the oven around 250c for 4 days having built up to this over 2 days. I have increase temp up to those mentioned above.

So does that mean the water is gone? and can I crank it up and head towards clearing fires

Plastic has been on now for around 3 hours since getting home. Still not wet. I went out about 9pm and there was condensation removed the plastic to allow the blanket to air dry.

Tossed a little wood in [see photo below its trying to clear].

Previously condensation would form within 5 minutes.

I also decided I might as well use the heat so I prepared a chook

Smoked Paprika rubbed Chicken [under skin] with macadamia, roasted pine nut, maple syprup and thyme stuffing.
Will cook it tomorrow night in whatever heat is there.

David KB John FYI it was very cool watching the dome clear and the Dome Keystone reappearing very cool.

[oasiscdm]

Re: new build in werribee

Never use the two fuels at the same time, it's really dangerous. Should the flame fail, you will have an oven full of hot gas waiting to ignite. You may then have to start rebuilding your oven piece by piece.

THx David not what I meant. I meant OR not 'and'. have fixed the error.

[oasiscdm]

Re: new build in werribee

Thx John and kb.

Compliments coming from you guys do make the effort worthwhile.
John as I have said yours is the prettiest build, and I thank you for all your assistance as we built those difficult landings flared and dropped front arch. All that shaving grinding helped the smoke flow. I was amazed when I watched the hat beads soot up the entry. Watching all that black stuff displaying up the flue was quite amazing. Wished I had got that on video. It was all over in about 30 seconds.

When do you feel I should build to clearing temps. As I can do that with the curing device or start with wood?.

[kbartman]

Re: new build in werribee

KBart is right: The ceiling soot starkly displays the accuracy and symmetry of your beautiful brick cuts. Once it clears, you'll see you can go black and go back!

Nicely done, sir!

LOL......... that ain't how the saying goes.........He right on the smoke stains tell the truth well done. Good job........... it's all pink at that point......

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: new build in werribee

Colin,

Judging from the soot signature in your entryway pics, the configuration of your vent is quite effective. It appears no smoke made it out the door and past 50% of the way to your outer arch before exiting up through the flue. Just like stopwatches in timed swimming events (they don't lie), same goes for telltale smoke stains. I would also attribute this efficiency to your hemispherical arch shape, which appears to contribute to a narrower smoke path than a wider, flatter arch. I'm also curious to see how the soot path changes once you get a full fire going.

KBart is right: The ceiling soot starkly displays the accuracy and symmetry of your beautiful brick cuts. Once it clears, you'll see you can go black and go back!

Nicely done, sir!

[oasiscdm]

Re: new build in werribee

Wonderful but I can't help but wonder where one gets such a thing. Even if I was back in the US, where to go to buy? Is there a 'WFO Curing Devices R Us' store on every corner down under?

It looks like a great oven! I'm sure you'll have many a pizza party with it Oasis. :b:

Thanks Lancer for the compliments. Re curing device I just purchased it online, a place here in Melbourne had it going for very reasonable price.

You can get them from China/Hong Kong if you can get the propane/LPG. Can you get this where you are?

[oasiscdm]

Re: new build in werribee

I have sent SWMBO out today to get another box of heat beads toss them in bag and all when I get home. I chucked 3 bags in last night when I got back from the men's group I facilitate [about 11pm].

The oven was around 180c when I got home at 11pm without heat from around midday.

I threw 2 bags in this morning. Then will toss 2-4 in tonight. Maybe a little wood before I go to bed.

I also erected a cover over the oven [also at 11pm] so I can keep the plastic off it [found it saturates the blanket with condensation]. Made it so I can take it up and down easily [rope pullies] as we are in for 3 hot days coming up. And I also made a shovel with long handle another $6 bunnings special.

I will put the plastic over the oven tonight when I get home leave it for a while check for condensation.

This hopefully will dry up the blanket. My aim is to keep it around that 300 - 350c mark for a number of days before I go away this weekend overnight [damn could have had a practice run at a chicken or something].

[oasiscdm]

Re: new build in werribee

Hey kb going slow heat beads tonight, maybe tomorrow, then wood. Been firing oven since Thursday I think. Had the curing device get temp up too clearing temps to off oven

[Lancer]

Re: new build in werribee

No large flames, allows oven to heat evenly. a slow and steady cure might minimise cracking. When I took off plastic it was drenched and stream then came off the oven.

Well heat with cutting device for another day Tuesday will get done heat into the floor with heat beads, then maybe wood on Thursday. Away next weekend so won't be able to fire it up until Sunday.

Wonderful but I can't help but wonder where one gets such a thing. Even if I was back in the US, where to go to buy? Is there a 'WFO Curing Devices R Us' store on every corner down under?

It looks like a great oven! I'm sure you'll have many a pizza party with it Oasis. :b:

[kbartman]

Re: new build in werribee

My nice neat clean and pretty oven is all dirty and black

Black is beautiful. Can't wait to see your keystone cleared, go easy though.

[oasiscdm]

Re: new build in werribee



My nice neat clean and pretty oven is all dirty and black