Bobrikova & de Carmen

Neovarde

(Scroll ned for instrukser til ovnen! Scroll down for oven instructions!)

Neovarde er en skulptur som approprierer en varde, en form man tradisjonelt finner på fjellet og i ubebodde strøk. Skulpturen ligner varden i sin form og materialitet, og gir følelsen av å ha kommer over en markør i landskapet. Når man nærmer seg varden vil derimot funksjonen åpenbare seg: varden er også en bakerovn. Skulpturen fungerer ikke kun som en visuell markør i nærområdet, men også som et symbol for fellesskap som inviterer til samhold, kollektivitet og deltagelse.

Kunstnerduoen Martinka Bobrikova (SK/NO) og Oscar de Carmen (ES/NO) har samarbeidet siden 2005. Deres praksis, som ofte er basert på fellesskap, har som mål å etablere nye sosiale økosystemer. De utforsker mekanismer og kontekster rundt makt- og verdisystemer, og utvikler prosjekter som tar opp dagsaktuelle temaer gjennom kunst og samhandling.

User Guide for the Wood-Fired Oven with Firebox (Mixed Use)

1. General Introduction

This wood-fired oven with a lower firebox has a mixed-use function: it can be used in the traditional way by burning wood inside the oven chamber, or in continuous mode, using the lower firebox to maintain heat without generating ashes in the cooking chamber.

During the summer, the oven will be available for various uses, and it is essential to follow this step-by-step guide to ensure proper operation and safe use.

Thank you for following these instructions. The oven is a valuable tool that requires care, respect, and attention!

2. Basic Safety Rules

  • Never leave the oven lit without supervision.

  • Keep flammable or combustible materials away from the structure.

  • Wear heat-resistant gloves and use proper tools to handle embers or hot trays.

  • Ensure the chimney is clear and the top damper is open during combustion.

  • Always close the oven door after use.

  • Do not use chemical fire starters.

3. Practical Recommendations

  • Always use dry, thin firewood (vine shoots, olive, holm oak, fruit trees).

  • Avoid eucalyptus, resinous pine, or laurel.

  • Do not open the door during combustion to avoid smoke.

  • If the oven has been unused for a while, perform a soft ignition using newspapers.

  • Never leave debris inside the oven between uses.

4. Traditional Use Mode (wood inside the oven)

Firing:

  • Place crumpled newspaper balls in the center of the oven.

  • Add small dry wood sticks on top (no thicker than the oven door handle).

  • Open the lower air vent (air intake) and the upper damper (chimney).

  • Light the newspaper and close the door.

  • After 2–3 minutes, adjust the vent to an opening of about 5 mm.

During Cooking:

  • Wait 60–90 minutes for the oven to reach the ideal temperature (depending on the amount of wood).

  • Control the fire using the vent, without opening the door.

Shutting Down:

  • Allow all the wood to burn completely.

  • Close the vent and the top damper.

  • Do not open the door until the oven has cooled down.

5. Use with Lower Firebox (continuous use)

This mode allows for uninterrupted cooking for days, feeding the fire through the lower firebox:

Usage:

  • Light a small amount of kindling in the lower firebox.

  • Maintain a regular feed to preserve a stable heat curve (400–450ºC in the firebox, 200–230ºC in the oven).

  • Keep the cooking chamber clean and free of ash, allowing continuous use.

  • Ideal for bread, pizza, pastries, or long preparations such as overnight stews.

6. Pyrometer Use

  • Do not leave the pyrometer installed if the oven is not going to be used for several days.

  • During combustion, if the temperature approaches 500ºC, partially remove the pyrometer.

  • Reinstall it once the temperature stabilizes to measure the actual interior heat.

7. Shut-Down and Cleaning

  • Never leave the oven door open after use.

  • Once cooled, clean the ashes using a brush and shovel.

  • If there are spills (oil or other liquids), sprinkle ash and let it burn during the next ignition.