Michigan WFO Brick Oven Photos Discuss Michigan WFO in the Good Background Information forums; Mike Congrats on a job well done. I would have done the same thing. I am not all that happy ...

[mannextdoor]

Mike

Congrats on a job well done. I would have done the same thing. I am not all that happy with the way my arch looks. But it won't be seen. If I thought I had a structural issue, I would have done it over. My brother was bricking the front of his house. Half way up he realized that it wasn't perfectly level. He pulled it all down and started over.

[maroongold]

What are the tools and procedure for cleaning the mortar joints on the inside of the oven?
I've been using a wire brush, but there's still a film of mortar on the face of many of the bricks. It doesn't look very "shiney". I know that Muriatic acid (diluted) is used to clean off bricks on an outside, visible surface. Would you use the acid on the inside? A wet rag has worked well to clean up as I go, but I haven't always been around to do that while the mortar is still curing. That's why I use the wire brush after it's cured (a day later).
Also, I thought about this for an idea: A wire brush attachment in a drill and lightly brushing the joints and surfaces that need it, might be faster? Like getting your teeth cleaned at the dentist.

[Dutchoven]

Mike
Excellent job...that is a much more stable arch...you will probably still need to create some buttressing on the sides but you are right on...the two piece keyston shows that you understand what is going on now and that you are using your "noodle"...I have attached a photo of our doorway arch at the restaurant I bonded three full bricks on their flat side and tapered the back and sides to fit in the keystone of the arch...it created a flatter top and allowed me to have a nice keystone look from the front
Congratulations on a job well done!
All the best!
Dutch

[Frances]

Well done, nice arch - I'll bet you feel better about it now!

So now its onwards and upwards...

[Dutchoven]

Originally Posted by maroongold

What are the tools and procedure for cleaning the mortar joints on the inside of the oven?
I've been using a wire brush, but there's still a film of mortar on the face of many of the bricks. It doesn't look very "shiney". I know that Muriatic acid (diluted) is used to clean off bricks on an outside, visible surface. Would you use the acid on the inside? A wet rag has worked well to clean up as I go, but I haven't always been around to do that while the mortar is still curing. That's why I use the wire brush after it's cured (a day later).
Also, I thought about this for an idea: A wire brush attachment in a drill and lightly brushing the joints and surfaces that need it, might be faster? Like getting your teeth cleaned at the dentist.

The wire brush with the drill/grinder may be too hard on the bricks...there is a cup brush product that uses nylon bristles(I think it is made by 3M)that have aggregate like sand throughout each fiber...as the bristle wears off from the friction more aggregate is exposed...sells like sandpaper by coarseness...I think that would be better...acid would work also...just make sure you rinse it well and clean it off of the floor
Best
Dutch

[mfiore]

I just used a damp sponge at the end of each mortar session. I considered cleaning more thoroughly with muriatic acid, but thought against it. There are some areas inside the dome that might have benefited from it, but it is a tight fit in there, and a real pain to move around. The thought of using a volatile acid in such a tight spot, with poor ventilation, half the time working upside down, was enough to scare me away.

[maroongold]

Thank you for the comments. I now do agree that the acid on the inside would be too tricky to use without causing problems, too hard to control the application and be close enough to see what you're doing. The wire brush works, just tedious. Using a sponge is a good idea. I'll check out the nylon bristle brush too. Thanks.

[fullback66]

mfiore,
Is that a swimming pool in your back yard???
fb66

[mfiore]

fb

Yes, that's a swimming pool. Unfortunately, it's not in my yard. It's just over the fence. Just like the other 2 beautiful inground pools surrounding me. The kids are wondering why I'm building a brick oven, while the other kids get to have a nice pool. I'm sure someday they'll appreciate it!

[mfiore]

I pulled the arch supports today. Everything seems pretty stable.

I reinforced the sides of the arches with angled brackets, as has been done by others. I'm not sure if this will interfere with my finish design plans down the road. If that's the case, they are temporary. I used a little piece of insulating board I had left sandwiched between the brick and bracket.