Breven's Outdoor Kitchen Progress Brick Oven Photos Discuss Breven's Outdoor Kitchen Progress in the Good Background Information forums; Funny you mention that Frances. When I put the stone tile in, before I grouted, I rolled on a Dupont ...

[Breven]

Funny you mention that Frances. When I put the stone tile in, before I grouted, I rolled on a Dupont stone sealer from Lowe's. I thought it would be a good idea so that when I do grout, cleaning the grout off of the stone would be easier (and it was). THe sealer looked great. Put a nice low sheen on the stone tile. The day after I finished the grout, I rolled the tiles and grout again. The sealer had the look and feel of milk. When it dries, it dries clear. The intructions said not to let any of the sealer pool up or it would dry white rather than clear. So after rolling on the counters and grout lines, I came back to my starting point with a brush to brush out any areas where the sealer had pooled. Bad news is, the sealer wasn't penetrating the grout at all...it had froze! Needless to say, all of my grout lines were white. THe very next day we cout 15 inches of snow (biggest snow here since the 1970's). After 4 days or so, the snow melted. I scrubbed the grout and tile with a warm soapy water to try to get the white sealer off of the grout- and I got about 80% of it off- but the cracks where everywhere. I think the cold weather was the problem here. OH...and I read the instructions on the sealer a little closer and it said to let the grout dry for 48 hours before sealing. I only waited about 18 hours. I may be able to salvage the parts of the grout that haven't cracked, but the parts that have crakced, I think I'll just grind it out and do it again. If I'm going to do that, I might as well grind out allt he grout and do it right. I think the uncrakced grout will probably crack up too eventually. Question is, what is right? I think maybe a latex additive would be a good idea, since its outside. Not sure. I do know I'm going to wait for a warm day and let the grout dry for a few days before I seal it.

[exceloven]

Breven,
My brother is a tile contractor, so from what I know I would definitely recommend a latex additive to the grout.

Mark

[Breven]

Thanks Mark. That's what I figured. At least I don't see how it could hurt.

I'll give it a try- but first I have to get all of the old grout out! Live and learn...

[tony boca]

Breven,
I just looked at all your pictures and your detailed notes. Overall an amazing project! I'm going to start my oven soon but wish to make the entire oven circular. What were the materials you used for the slab and hearth that made it round?

Tony

[Breven]

Tony-

Thanks! I've really been neglecting photos, I've made a lot more progress (though slowly) and I need to post some pics.
To make the hearth stand round, I would use the square grey blocks...I think they are 8" x 8". You'll be able to lay them out in a nice circle and you can dry stack them to make it easy. I would include rebar vertically from the foundation slab, and then about 3 rows up include a row of biner blocks and tie in a horizontal row of rebar as well. Fill up the cores with concrete and you'll have a nice solid support for the hearth slab. For the hearth slab, I would make a sturdy square frame using 2 x6 or 2 x 8's, then use bender board to form the circle (you can find this at Home Depot outside in the garden section, it's covered in a green plastic generally used for outlining flower beds). It's thin and flexible, but when supported correctly, it will hold its shape well. Just know that the cement will push these bender boards out and you'll lose the shape, so be sure and support it well.

[tony boca]

Breven,

What is a biner block that you recomend on top of the 3rd row of 8x8x8's?

[Breven]

Tony-
I misspelled that. It's binder block. It's like a standard block, but the walls have a "U" shape cut out of them so you can run a horizontal row of rebar.

[Breven]

I finally finished the enclosure! The slate stone tile roof was a bit of a challenge...first time with a roof of any kind. In the end, it came out great! All I have left is a little grout on the counter tops and some brick in the front under the bar counter. Of course, I've learned that while I think I don't have much left....it'll probably be 4 or 5 weekends of work.

I've uploaded the latest pics to my web album.

[DrakeRemoray]

Congratulations! It really looks excellent!

Drake

[Breven]

Thanks Drake....it's been such a long process, but well worth it! I really slowed down as soon as I got to the point where I could cook in it. Guess that happens to most of us.