knowing when rmh is "dry"

been burning new rmh hot for 10-12 days straight now. how do i know when it's dry enough to start plastering?? it seems very dry, but would like to know for sure. advice has been from 2 weeks to 2 months. but how do i know for sure.

Michael Carman : We have to make some assumptions here, and hope your experience finds them relevant ! If the weather stayed constant, then you
should have already quite suddenly noticed that you were burning a lot less wood .

I would say 1 to 2 weeks after that. I do know two people -one waited a year to put any Cob/Urbanite over the Horizontal pipes of the Thermal Mass and
then another year to plaster, and another who waited almost 3 years to plaster.

The only reason I can think of to hurry a plastering job is social or in order to add some water proofing to the top, the more unprotected cob you leave
exposed- along the sides the more water the Cob will pump into your room during cold weather when every thing is bone dry, and the more your cob will
suck up when the humidity is high.

Short answer, Relax, Breath, do it when Its a good time for you! For the Good of the Crafts Big AL

Michael; I recommend that you buy or borrow a cheap (-$20) digital laser temp gun . Monitor your bench temps, particularly at the far end . When the temp stabilizes you should be able to start plastering. Start from the barrel end and work your way along.