First firing and curing

Cure it on gas: full flame, 30 minutes

Outdoors only for home use. Never in a building, garage, tent, vehicle, boat, or under a balcony or deck. Never cover the oven mouth while it is lit, and never cover the slots and holes in the base or the dock (no foil): the fumes contain carbon monoxide (the manual).

1. Check the wedges and packing are out and the leak test has passed.
2. Take the rain cap off and fit the flue pipe and top.
3. Light the burner.
4. Turn it to high flame, full power, and run it for 30 minutes to cure the oven (the manual; "First firing on gas" video).
5. Watch the display: the floor reading climbs more slowly than the air.
6. Cook, or turn it off: cylinder valve first.

Do the same 30-minute curing fire after a long spell without use (the manual).

First firing on wood: slow and moderate

The manual (pp. 53 and 56) and the "First firing on wood" video. Never burn gas and wood together, and never use the gas burner to light wood: it can seriously damage the oven (the manual).

1. Check the gas is off and the duct grate is fitted on the right.
2. Build a small stack of kindling with 1 natural firelighter in the centre of the oven, and light it.
3. Once it is going, push the fire to the right, over the duct grate.
4. Keep the fire moderate for 30 to 60 minutes, so the oven comes up to heat slowly and the stone avoids thermal shock (a sudden temperature change).
5. Place wood in gently: never throw wood or charcoal against the back or side walls.