
Mountain Home
Installation and Operation Manual
18
INITIAL START-UP
READ BEFORE BUILDING FIRST FIRE
Your oven was cured at the factory� However in the course of shipment, storage on site, etc� the ceramic materials
will have absorbed moisture� It is critical that the Initial Oven Start-up Procedure below be followed to ensure that this
moisture is driven from the ceramic in a controlled fashion� This will minimize cracking and prevent damage to the oven
that could otherwise occur by bringing the oven to temperature rapidly the first time it is used� This Initial Oven Start-up
procedure need only be followed the first time the oven is fired and/or if the oven has not been used for an extended
period of time�
DAY ONE
1. Build a small kindling fire of newspaper and 5–7 lbs� of heavy, hard wood� We suggest using a “Fire Starter”
(paraffin/sawdust stick) to start the fire� Begin with (3) small pieces of wood (about 1–3" diameter and 14–16" in
length)� Build the fire directly on the floor of the oven against the side or back of the dome� The fire should be built
far enough inside and of a size that doesn’t permit the flame to go up the flue� Slowly bring the oven temperature up
to 300–400 °F� Maintain this fire for 4–5 hours�
2. Once the oven temperature has reached 300–400 °F, increase the oven temperature by increasing the size and
amount of wood being used� Based on what is already burning, gradually increase the amount of wood per hour� This
will bring the oven temperature up to 500–550 °F�
NOTE: THE MORE WOOD ADDED TO THE FIRE, THE HOTTER THE OVEN WILL GET.
It is recommended that on the first day of heat-up, the oven does not exceed 550 °F within the first 8 hours� If your goal
is to cook at higher temperatures, the oven should only be brought up to 550 °F on day one� Once the oven has reached
the 550 °F, more wood may be added to the fire as necessary to bring the oven to the desired operating temperature�
The amount of wood required to bring the oven to the specified temperatures may vary depending on the type and quality
of the wood� Never use any type of flammable liquid or fuel to start a fire in a Wood Stone oven. Doing so could
cause a dangerous situation and/or damage to the oven ceramic.
DURING THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF OPERATION, SMALL AMOUNTS OF WATER MAY APPEAR DRIPPING
FROM THE OVEN. THIS IS NORMAL AND WILL STOP WITHIN A FEW DAYS.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
• One pound of properly cured, heavy, hardwood produces the potential of 6,500 BTU/hr�
• The temperature sensor (thermocouple) is located at the center of the floor,one inch under the surface�The thermocouple
will give false readings if the fire is placed on top of it�
• If at anytime the oven is allowed to cool to room temperature for an extended period of time, especially outdoor
installations, this heat-up procedure will need to be repeated to avoid thermal shocking of the refractory stone which
can cause excessive cracking�
• Small “crazing” cracks will occur with normal heating and cooling� They will not effect the performance or durability of
the oven� If cracks of 1/8" or more develop, contact Wood Stone for evaluation�
DO NOT POUR OR SPRAY LIQUIDS ONTO THE OVEN DECK OR INTO THE OVEN INTERIOR AS THIS CAN
DAMAGE THE CERAMIC AND WILL VOID THE WARRANTY.
An ongoing program of product improvement may
require us to change specifications without notice.
Wood Stone Corporation
1801 W. Bakerview Rd.
Bellingham, WA 98226 U.S.A.
tf. (800) 578-6836
f. (360) 734-0223