Corretto Bread Bin/ Roast Chamber Insulation

[sando]

Beware the insulation you use. The insulation used in many ovens is only certified for use when encased/enclosed. They are not designed nor intended to be used in open installations as the fibers they're made from present a health hazard. Think asbestos.


Java "Be safe and healthy!" phile

Well Intentioned Message Received and Noted...tks


Had a carefull look and there were signs of a fine fibre floating around, not much but there.

After a bit of thought....

I have decided to remove all that oven insulation from around the bucket.

"High fibre is for breakfast food and low fiber is for roasting" is what I think.

Thanks again Javaphile for pointing out what is now a bit obvious.

In hindsight my 5c worth was expensive at even the low price of 5c...you get what you pay.

Happy roasting

[sidewayss]

My 5 cents electronic transfer worth, and i did mention it on another thread somewhere.

For anyone contemplating or are not happy with their current insulating material for their bread pan, just spend a few dollars at your local hardware store ( and i'm sure they will appreciate your business) and get a fire blanket.
It is the safest material to use and is non toxic.

Remove the holding tabs, cut a third of the blanket off. You will see loose threads where you have cut it. Mark the blanket into one third and two thirds. Just like rolling puff pastry, fold the loose threaded end in, then bring the other end to cover the third back your way. This method will contain the loose threaded end and it all looks neat.
Secure with safety pins. The result is 3 effective layers of fire blanket insulation. Any heat that escapes will be trapped in other layers.

This part is tricky as the blanket will slide everywhere so a helping hand would not go astray.
Wrap the blanket around the pan and secure with flexible steel wire so that the side of the pan is insulated and there's nothing on the bottom to foul the BM element.
Secure it nice and tight so that the blanket does not catch on anything when the pan is being removed to cool the beans.

It will give a better result compared to an uninsulated pan as the heat input required is less which results in a fuller flavor and less tipping and scorching. Works great for me and the heat gun can be backed off.
Together with a coretto cover covered in the topic below this one, you will get even better results, the heat gun can then be backed off even further and possibly save you a few more cents in electricity

Play it safe. Use a fire blanket.

[Yelta]

I think I have as well, all too hard to untangle, guess the message is still there.

[Javaphile]

I did not mean to suggest that the insulation is made of asbestos (While asbestos was used in the past in ovens it has been banned for some time in both our countries.) but rather that the material some insulation's are made from pose a health hazard in the same manner as asbestos, ie the fibers are the problem. This tends to be the case more often with the self-cleaning ovens because as they operate at much higher temps they require a much better insulation, usually a ceramic/glass based one. I've no idea when or even if the usage of such materials has ceased but I know high temp ceramic/glass fiber based insulation that is only certified to be used when encased/enclosed has been used in the past.


Java "No tiny fibers for me please!" phile

[saoye]

I think Java was assuming you were planning on salvaging an old oven and tearing it apart to get to the insulation (that was my impression)
Australia's OH&S laws regarding asbestos are stringent now, however, it's not that long ago that asbestos was mined in Aust and used widely in industrial and building applications by people wearing no PPE whatsoever.

I think you've confused me with Sando but fair enough.

[Yelta]

Hi Java,

Interesting to note the difference between the US and Oz. As I work for the single remaining Ovens manufacturer in Australia I know for a fact that the operators works daily handling these insulation without masks and without gloves for that matter (it is optional). Here in Oz health and safety is 1st priority and also don't think for a minute that the Union would not be on our backs if the operators are handling any asbestos or anything as risky as that. We have an extensive restricted materials list and banned substance list that we must comply to (includes asbestos). There was concerns about the safety raised by operators many years ago (exactly as you are thinking) and we have had the University researchers down and conducted checks and given the all clear that the insulations we use poses no health risks. We were made to minimise the dust particles by implementing large exhaust systems over the work area handling these but that is more for operator comfort. I'm not saying we should cut these insulation up and inhale it in by the bucket loads for fun (you wouldn't do that with any foreign matter). Every time we change source or contemplate changing source the University research team are back down doing their audit. I know there are insulation from the US and outside that we would not use here in our factory so I cannot say for sure that the imported Ovens are ok...After all that rant, I guess the bottom line is that not all insulation are hazardous but not knowing which one is ok probably means don't use it if you're not sure.

I think Java was assuming you were planning on salvaging an old oven and tearing it apart to get to the insulation (that was my impression)
Australia's OH&S laws regarding asbestos are stringent now, however, it's not that long ago that asbestos was mined in Aust and used widely in industrial and building applications by people wearing no PPE whatsoever.

[saoye]

Hi Java,

Interesting to note the difference between the US and Oz. As I work for the single remaining Ovens manufacturer in Australia I know for a fact that the operators works daily handling these insulation without masks and without gloves for that matter (it is optional). Here in Oz health and safety is 1st priority and also don't think for a minute that the Union would not be on our backs if the operators are handling any asbestos or anything as risky as that. We have an extensive restricted materials list and banned substance list that we must comply to (includes asbestos). There was concerns about the safety raised by operators many years ago (exactly as you are thinking) and we have had the University researchers down and conducted checks and given the all clear that the insulations we use poses no health risks. We were made to minimise the dust particles by implementing large exhaust systems over the work area handling these but that is more for operator comfort. I'm not saying we should cut these insulation up and inhale it in by the bucket loads for fun (you wouldn't do that with any foreign matter). Every time we change source or contemplate changing source the University research team are back down doing their audit. I know there are insulation from the US and outside that we would not use here in our factory so I cannot say for sure that the imported Ovens are ok...After all that rant, I guess the bottom line is that not all insulation are hazardous but not knowing which one is ok probably means don't use it if you're not sure.

[Yelta]

I will confess - there was some slight singeing! Went the fire blanket route pretty quickly - and it has worked like treat. Also has the additional benefit of being able to hand-hold the pan straight out of the BM - makes it much easier to empty into the cooler!

Sounds like a cheap, simple and effective solution, well done.

[DesigningByCoffee]

Crikey guys, Carpet, wool blankets and heat guns, your literally playing with fire.

I will confess - there was some slight singeing! Went the fire blanket route pretty quickly - and it has worked like treat. Also has the additional benefit of being able to hand-hold the pan straight out of the BM - makes it much easier to empty into the cooler!

[sando]

Good point there.
Thanks Java 'the voice of reason' phile.

[Javaphile]

My 5c worth is to think of where you could get access to a disused kitchen oven.
They are full of insulation that is rated at similar temps that we use.

Beware the insulation you use. The insulation used in many ovens is only certified for use when encased/enclosed. They are not designed nor intended to be used in open installations as the fibers they're made from present a health hazard. Think asbestos.


Java "Be safe and healthy!" phile

[saoye]

I tried an old wool blanket initially, thinking it should be safe - but smelt like a wet labrador in front of an open fire!

Haven't smelt a wet dog around my roast as yet...and I do have a dog at home! The carpet is stiff so I suppose it's holding it's shape and not directly touching the pan as much as lining the walls. I never leave my roast unattended so any signs of "carpet burns" *groan* I'll be the first to replace it with something else. I initially started with Oven insulation wrapped around the pan but found it was too thick and hindered easy release and insertion of the pan.

[sando]

My 5c worth is to think of where you could get access to a disused kitchen oven.
They are full of insulation that is rated at similar temps that we use.
I got mine from an oven at the local tip.
Perfect condition. Places like appliance repairers or sellers should have old useless ones.

I agree with the logic of an insulated oven has got to work better than one that is not.
Less heat input for similar output
And....less carbon tax is an added bonus, lol.
Happy roasting

[Yelta]

Crikey guys, Carpet, wool blankets and heat guns, your literally playing with fire.
Suggest you use some form of non flammable insulation, Rockwool or glass wool, call an insulation firm or two, bet they have small amounts of the stuff they would be prepared to give you free of charge.

[DesigningByCoffee]

I was worried as I think it's not a wool carpet from memory but after 4 roasts I have not seen any signs of melting carpet or any change in the softness for that matter and no smell...follow at your own risk. [/QUOTE]

I tried an old wool blanket initially, thinking it should be safe - but smelt like a wet labrador in front of an open fire!