Drying period:
We recommend a minimum period between 7 and 10 days before performing the first firing of the wood oven. It should always be kept with the lid or door of the mouth open for a more efficient drying of the refractory materials, thermal insulators and especially the masonry slab. The chimney should be complete, having all sections of ducts installed including the Chinese hat on top and above the roof. This will significantly increase the oxygenation inside the kiln, speeding up the drying process.
First firing:
On the 1st day, light only a small amount of wood always controlling that the fire does not exceed more than half the height of the refractory vault. A maximum burning time of 2 hours is recommended for this day. Do not use flammable liquids to light the firewood, prefer paper or thin wood stubs. Increase this period gradually for a maximum of 1 hour of burning per day, respecting the recommendation that the fire never exceeds half of the vault, for at least three days. Around 7 to 10 days it is already possible to reach the “point” of the kiln, when the rows of refractory bricks of the vault will be dark during the first days of firing and when they reach the appropriate temperature (approximately 450°C) they return to their initial aspect, light in color.
Failure to follow these recommendations may result in unforeseen problems in operation such as cracks, fissures, and expansion that may impair the proper functioning of the wood-fired kiln causing unforeseen maintenance.
Aromatization of the oven:
Prefer wood from aromatic woods (eucalyptus, cabriúva, cherry, orange, etc) for the first few firings. Stalks and leaves of dried herbs such as basil, bay leaf or rosemary can be used along with these woods to flavor the oven, removing the smell of cement and other masses used in the masonry during construction. Before the first baking of doughs in the ballast use some pizza discs, without filling, to be discarded. This will remove any impurities and sand granules, leaving the ballast clean.