Castable refractory

[blackboogers]

I let my forge sit for a week and a half. I fired it up and about after 1/2 hour (low heat) water started trickling out between the castable and the steel wall. Is this normal? Should I let it sit for awhile longer before firing it up? Do you get nervous about a steam explosion, that is my fear. Anyhoo, please reply if you have experience in castable. Thanks.

 

[Bruce Bump]

BB I have read the instructions and they say to fire it the first times until it starts to steam and shut it off. Just keep doing that until it stops steaming, maybe 4 or 5 times. Yes it is possible to crack the walls if fired too long until cured.

 

[blackboogers]

The ones I received say to start at 1000 and continue at that temp 1 hour for every inch of thickness. It didnt mention water coming out and that was my concern. I was just surprized at the amount after sitting for a week.

 

[simmonsk]

Hi,
If you sealed it with ITC-100 or it glazed with Satinite, the moisture had no where else to go. Easy does it like you are doing and all will be well...Ken