PREPARATION OF TANDOOR
The Tandoor is constructed, is an art and to perfect this art it takes years of experience. Tandoor can be used for homemade purposes while it could be used for commercials needs also like
- Clay which is free of any sand content.
- Munj is a kind of grass mixed with clay and acts as a binder.
- Animal hairs used for binding
- Hay is used for modeling and ease of drying.
There are two ways of preparing the Tandoor:
- Modeling method: It is the famous style of making the Tandoor. It is also called the Ring method. The clay once ready for use is made into slabs. They are then rolled using some clay and the cylinders are then rolled in semi-circle. Two or three are put together to make the ring for tandoor. These form the base of tandoor. This ring is then dried so as to have the weight of the next ring. The ring is pinched to create notches to make the other ring stick in a better way. this acts as a claw to hold the wet ring on top once the lower ring has dried to doneness. These rings are attached to give the tandoor the desired height. The last stage involves making the mouth and moulding it with a hand like the upper part of a pitcher.
- Coiling method: As the name suggests the clay is made into long ropes and then it is coiled in circles till the desired height is attained. The mouth is made in the same fashion as the modeling method. The surface is smoothed with hand and left to dry out. A small opening is made when the tandoor is dry to facilitate air circulation and removal of ashes.