Curing a new HT oven?

[Doc Shipley]

I'm finishing up a new heat-treat oven this weekend. I used kiln mortar and 2300F-rated firebrick, which sucked up a LOT of moisture from the mortar. I'm mostly concerned about cooking off any moisture gently.

The only clear instructions I've found so far are to run the kiln at 195F for 18-24 hours, then at 1500F for 5-6 hours, cool closed, then check for damage.

Does anyone have anything to add, or a better suggestion?

 

[tattooedfreak]

I would let it set for a couple of days, then run it for a couple of hours at a medium temp, let cool with the door closed, then run again the next day at a slightly higher temp. Then on the third day, run it at the highest temp you expect to use for the average length of time you intend to use it. Of course you check for damage after every event and once your are done, seal any cracks with a high temp mortar/cement. Just my thought though.