I received a Forgemaster Blacksmith 5000 as a gift. Previously I was researching how to build a forge. So I know a little bit about ceramic fiber insulin (probably enough to be dangerous). The insulation for the door doesn’t seem to be rigidized. I got some fumed silica, wet the blanket with water and then applied the silica and am waiting for it to dry. Hopefully I’m not asking questions that have been answered a thousand time already. I have tried to search your website for this information, but there is a daunting amount on here. My questions are.
1. How long should it take to dry? I’ve waited two days and it still seems moist to the touch. I doused it pretty well with the silica.
2. Do I need to (I’m not sure on the correct term) fire the silica before I install the liner or can I do this by running the forge?
3. The back, sides and roof also appear to be ceramic blanket, but it feels much firmer. Would they have rigidized them and not the door liner, or do I need to rigidize them too?
4. Do I need to put a layer of refractory over any of the insulation?
Thank you so much for your help.