From Yo: We lowered the ceiling by two layers of bricks, and strengthened the wall by inner firebrick wall and outer regular brick wall biting each other. Jutta has been interested in the ceramic fibre blanket for insulation. Let’s see what the lower ceiling might do.

From Yo: Rain. Fire started at 8 am. It took many pieces of wood to eventually burned white. We roasted sliced squash and whole mushrooms on a tray with coals in. After that we cleared the oven with a hoe and a ripped shirt-rag. The thermometer read a little under 400 F when I put a loaf of bread in, barely 350F when it was taken out after 45 minutes. Bread was pale, didn’t spring much in the oven. Looked to me like a typical winter bread.

Heat doesn’t seem to be retained much in this oven even though the outer wall doesn’t become warm at all. Maybe a big portion of heat is escaping through the cracks with smoke? Jutta decides to get the ceramic fibre blanket.