Aussie Readers Newbie Forum Discuss Aussie Readers in the Good Background Information forums; Yeah thats me, It's a flood or a drought here....

[david s]

Yeah thats me, It's a flood or a drought here.

[kram]

hi all this is my first post from the sunshine coast hinterland,I am going to build a WFO but have no idea which one to build.I have been in the building industry rendering, tiling,concreting,bricklaying for 20+years.Could somebody point me in the right direction re plans & materials, regards Mark

[mr g]

G'day Mark, have you decided to go for a brick or castable dome? Forno Bravo have the Pompei plans on the website. I think you have to order it as though you were ordering other products from their online store but there is no charge for the plans. The plans contain all the background info you'll need to understand how the ovens work. They explain why certain materials are used for specific parts of the oven and how to go about it. All you need to decide is what type of oven you want, the size and the material for the oven internals ie firebrick or castable. There is a castable thread you can check out:
http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f2/c...tory-5669.html (castable refractory)

Of course there is a wealth of information and examples on brick ovens as well. There appear to be pros and cons with both methods so eventually you will have to decide which way to go. Personally I and a group of mates have decided to go the castable method. We have got it down to a fine art. The last dome we built just Sunday gone took less than two hours to cast.
Good luck.
Mr G

[nissanneill]

And welcome aboard Kram, I have just put you on the list of participating Aussies in this forum, around 119 all up!
you now have decision after decision to make.
There are a host of oven options open to you. The Pompeii is the cheapest (and in my opinion) the best, especially for someone with your experience and talents.
You can use the more expensive firebricks, OR as some others have done, use either solid fired clay pavers or the hard klinker (those bricks closest to the heat when fired in the old wood kilns), solid red bricks. providing the bricks break and not crumble when hammered, then they will stand up to the usual 500˚C that you will get your oven to and use.
The poor mans mortar is also a good alternative but don't skimp on the insulation! Vital to save on your heating costs and also heat retention for baking. One fire can last for a couple of days of cooking, albeit at reducing oven temperatures.
Read, read some more, get totally confused, ask some questions and get into it.

Cheers.

Neill

[robmilner]

Hey Guys,

I'm getting close to starting my brick oven in Adelaide. I'm planning on an igloo style with old house bricks and a couple of benches either side, hopefully it will work out ok. I think I understand most things, though one area where I'm having trouble is the igloo insulation. I see people talking about it all the time, though I've never seen anyone explain _how_ they make the vermiculite layer on the very top; how do you mix it with the cement? What is the ratio of vermiculite/sand/cement?

Cheers,

Rob.

[david s]

You want enough cement in the mix so it will be hard enough to render onto, but the more cement you use the worse the insulating performance will be. I use 10 parts vermiculite, 1 part cement, 3 parts water (by volume) You'll think "this'll never work," but it does. Mix it dry in a large bucket before adding the water.

[backinoz]

Is 120 a crowd?
Have Just started on my oven. Turned first soil yesterday.
Im based in Tannum Sands, Queensland.
Still a long way to go but the adventure has to start somewhere. The plan is for a 42" Tuscan. Hopefully I can add some value to the Aussie Forum over the coming months.

[Kingfisher]

Errol Greiner Hervey Bay just signed up today 29 Oct 2009

[Kingfisher]

My oven is designed to crack over the first 8 firings and the gaps are then filled with vermiculite concrete then rendered again

[Nobby]

Another One!
Adelaide based but will build my WFO in Robe this Xmas Holidays
hope to engage with you all with some questions as I get my planning underway...

I plan to build a 110cm (44") internal dome
planning on using appropriate bricks for the dome
perhaps firebricks for Floor ? $6! each from Littlehampton Bricks (approx $200)
Natural Limestone rocks & cement for the base (Free! from friends farm)
might leave a wood storage area underneath
A hot gal dipped steel door arch ( near sea so rust is an issue) and a local Robe site does this type of work
a hot gal dipped steel chimney with Stainless Flue
(Any guidance on flue suppliers near Adelaide?)
Insulated - Perlite/vermiculite, wasnt going for a blanket - ?? any thoughts on that ?
Probably finish dome with a stone/mortar finish
Hot dipped gal Steel double skin door with Verm/Perlite filling ?

regards Nobby