The Morgan's WFO build

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

hey Dino,
I called Quikrete (Help Line at 1-800-282-5828) they said no problem to apply directly to the durorock or cement board.. No lath or wire needed...

[vintagemx0]

Thanks Mark! You're the man! I'm going to talk to the HD guys and get some of that material to button this thing up. Is it a pre-mix in buckets, or a dry mix?

We decided to brick above our outer arch all the way up to the top of the enclosure. We'll do that today. We'd planned on cooking pizza tonight because we have a sister coming over to visit, and from the temperatures I was seeing around the front of the chimney bricks last week, we're not worried about the new brick work getting hot while it's curing. The arch support columns are the only parts that may get hot due to radiation and they have been curing since Monday. I'll try to get some photos tonight because the final look is beginning to be realized.

'Morgans

[vintagemx0]

Well, I bought some mortar and some other supplies today, but I didn't get any work done. Perhaps tomorrow I'll finish that front brick work and do some more perlcrete on top. Here's a photo of what the oven looks like right now...



I think those lights need to be moved outward to be centered-up with the cinder block columns. Tonight we cooked a bunch of pizzas. We made our own dough with Caputo flour using James recipe. We adjusted it for a 62.5% hydration, which was very easy to work with. Oh Man! It was very good. Everyone commented on how good the crust was and we were very happy with it. We'll experimaent with wetter doughs and see if we can find pizza nirvana. Here's a photo of the first pizza out of the oven tonight...



We cooked eight pizzas and got stuffed, but let the oven cool off for a short while and then assembled a skillet full of apples with butter, brown sugar, and oats. It cooked for about 30 minutes and was a real treat...



Our second encounter with using the oven has really sparked a re-newed interest in it's use. We're going to be using tis thing a lot.

The crust from this dough recipe was really outstanding. I'm really encouraged to use it from now on, because it was our first time and I'm sure we have not optimized it. Leads me to think we can't go wrong.

Ciao e presto!

The Morgans

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

hey Morgans,,

Lookin good, I took the libertyy of moving the lights for you so you could see what it will look like,, (photoshop)

Enjoy
Mark

[KINGRIUS]

Hey Mark, while you're at it, I would like an outer arch over my oven entry arch, an overhanging ledge in the front for food handling, an a-frame roof over the front slab...

Morgans- looking really sweet! Hey, even if you didn't cook with it, it would be really nice to just look at!

I am prepared to have to learn how to use my oven. I am not expecting perfection right away (but later definitely!). You now hold in your power the potential to make the best pizza and food in the world. Just like any great tool, it's going to take some practice to learn how to use it and master it. It looks like you have begun your journey...

Enjoy!
Darius

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

sorry morgans,, that is vintagemix's oven

Okay vintage I fixed your lights for you....

Mark

No problem king.. send me a pic

[vintagemx0]

Hey, thanks Mark. That helps confirm that the lights look better centered on those blocks. Thanks! I'll get right on it.

Darius - You're quite right. These oven's are awesome tools that will take some time to obtain any level of mastery. We're looking forward to our journey learning how to use it and incorporate it into our everyday lives.

Ken Morgan

[vintagemx0]

After stacking brick to the top, now I'm thinking the lights don't look so bad where they are. Really changed the perspective, plus the lights will serve their purpose better where they are. I'll power them up and see before they are comitted.

I filled the ficade with perlcrete and am now wondering the best way to seal the top. I am contemplating laying down some mesh and putting a 1 or 2 inch layer of concrete over it. It would then get some stucco to match the rest of the structure.

So, what do you guys think? Does this sound reasonable? Any concerns in doing so?

Thanks in advance,

The Morgans

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

hey ken,
I think that sounds fine, just add the acrylic fortifier and you will shed water, and of course slope it slightly.... you wouldnt want a puddle up there,,,

Cheers
Mark

[vintagemx0]

Good tip on the acrylic fortifier Mark...thanks. We want to stucco (or use that other stuff) over the top of the concrete. We may just protect the concrete from rain and add an adhesion promoter to facilitate a bond with the final coating. Argggggh! So much to think about!...

'Morgans