Michigan WFO Brick Oven Photos Discuss Michigan WFO in the Good Background Information forums; Thanks for the encouragement. Dick, your build was one I studied hard as I planned my own. I actually tried ...

[mfiore]

Thanks for the encouragement. Dick, your build was one I studied hard as I planned my own.

I actually tried to mimic your "striped" bricks. I was not able to find red fire brick, but as it has been pointed out, there was quite a bit of color variability in the bricks I did get. I sorted them the best I could (actually had the boys do it!). I attempted a row of dark, row of light, etc. By the fifth row, I just gave up and mixed them up. I agree, I also like the variability.

I still am not sure what to do with this transition. It just looks like the higher courses aren't going to hit the arch. I'm sure it will work out. If needed, I'll "stretch" my 21 inch radius at the front end a little bit. I also need to decide if I want to bevel a little on the sides of the brick to get rid of those upside down V shape joints that are getting bigger.

[Les]

Originally Posted by mfiore

Here is a photo of the fifth course as it begins it's transition to the arch supports. Is this typical?

Looks about right. Keep a close eye on the height of each end as they grow together - this is where the notorious dip comes in to play.

Les...

[dbhansen]

Mike, instead of changing the radius, could you make the bricks above the arch a little longer than the others so they overlap the arch more? That is, instead of using 1/2 bricks, use 3/4 bricks or something and then slowly bring them back to 1/2 as you go up? Just a thought.

[mfiore]

Thanks for the sound advice! Makes sense, Daren! (did I mention that I love this forum!)

I'll try to keep an eye on the height as I make my way up the dome.

[mfiore]

A little further today. Course 6 complete. Course 7 halfway done.


I think the placement of the arch will work out after all. A little hard to judge until you tackle it. As much as I'm trying to avoid the "dip" near the arch, its tough. It fools the eye there.

[edschmidt]

Hello, I know Im a little late to the thread. Im in grand rapids and used the menards stuff and had no issues (knock on wood) after 2 years of use including all winter. I have been known to whip in a snowball to help oven spring in the dead of winder.

[Les]

Mike - no worries. At the end of the day, no one will see it. Just keep trying to keep a level line, and when you hit the top, it's all good. It's looking great!

Les...

[dbhansen]

I agree - looking superb!

[mfiore]

I had time for 3 more brick after work today. The 7th course is nearly done (half way to the top?). I'm out of mortar. I had to order a third bag of Heatstop 50. I'm only half way, and using more than I thought. If (when) I run out of this bag, I'll probably also switch to mixing my own.

This will give me a few days off to ponder that arch transition!

At what point do folks switch to 1/3 size bricks rather than half?

[egalecki]

I think I started using the 1/3 bricks when the gaps the 1/2 inch ones left started to offend me. I'd say it was the last 3 rows- and the two rows before that, I was using 1/2 bricks for about 3 bricks and then cutting a small wedge to keep from having joints line up, and repeating that all the way around...