Which oven to buy? Newbie Forum Discuss Which oven to buy? in the Good Background Information forums; Thanks, we have decided to have a mason build the stand with proper footings for new england and the base. ...

[jgiannone]

Thanks, we have decided to have a mason build the stand with proper footings for new england and the base. We ordered the Pompii (Casa110) insulation materials and we are buying the fire brick, mortor, etc locally. I would like an expert opinion on A. The floor insulation; should we use the insulating boards or 4" of vermiculite concrete? B. Opinion on using a foam-board dome form or what to form the dome. I saw a ball was used in one photo but I can't figure out how that shape worked (unless it was partially flat maybe?) C. We plan on using the insulating blankets with vermiculite then stucco, sound right? Thanks!!

[dmun]

1A. The floor insulation; should we use the insulating boards or 4" of vermiculite concrete?

The boards are thinner, flatter (you may be able to lay your floor right on your insulation without a leveling layer),easier and faster (no week to cure vermicrete).
The vermiculite concrete is cheaper.

B. Opinion on using a foam-board dome form or what to form the dome. I saw a ball was used in one photo but I can't figure out how that shape worked (unless it was partially flat maybe?)

The various vanes can work but it's hard to clean the masonry on the inside of the dome while you're working. I think the guy who used the ball used a variation on the indispensable tool (My indispensible tool (a variation on a FB theme)), and used the partially flattened ball to support the last few, most horizontal courses.

[jgiannone]

there are two interior vault hights on page 13 and 30
which do you think we should do?

[dmun]

The hemisphere (High vault) is stronger and easier to build. It'll fit a turkey better.