Hi all from Aussie

[Aussie Pete]

because i haven't completed my dome ( or even started it yet), i'm wondering about the dome height in relation to the door height & width. i'm aware of the 61-65% ratio of dome -door, could someone please explain as an example method or direct me to the threads that explain this theory. i know there here somewhere, but can only find bits & pieces from different threads on the idea.
For anyone interested, my door is 19"x 11.5" and the dome width is 39". I need to find out how high i should make the dome height and what height i should start the flue entry.
I'm a little confused because i have seen flue entries the same height as the door, and on some other ovens, the flue is higher.
I need to get this ratio mix right....help much appreciated.
Also...i know different vault heights are directly related to what type of cooking you want to do.
So....i want to make pizza's (the obvious one), i want to retain nice heat so i can slow cook some various dishes, and i definately want to make breads..
thanks for any help.

[david s]

You need to make the entry arch slightly bigger than the oven mouth otherwise you will have difficulty fitting the door in.

[Aussie Pete]

sorry David, when i said my oven door was 19"x11.5", i meant the door entry, i haven't made the actual door yet. Thats just the size of the entry.
sorry for confusion

[david s]

As a point of interest 62% happens to be the Golden Ratio or phi 1:1.618, used by artists and architects for centuries.

[Aussie Pete]

yeh yeh...i know all about the ratio....i just need someone to help me work out the maths for the internal height of my dome, in relation to my door height.

can anyone help me find the thread that may explain the maths about it all??.

[Aussie Pete]

ok...i think i have found the table outlining the measurements of dome height & door height/width.
i've put the table i found below.
My new question, whats the pro's & cons for a low or high vault dome?
the answer to this will obviously determine what i will be cooking, and i have mentioned previously what i want to do...(in short, everything ).
Also, the question about the flue/chimney exit, should it be lower or higher than the door height?. my guess it needs to be maybe a little higher than the entry arch...is this correct?
i'm a little confused, because i have seen lots that are about the same height as there entry arch.
Am i making sense??

[david s]

Oven opening height divided by oven interior height = 1/1.618
Therefore oven interior height = oven opening height x 1.618

A low dome is apparently better for cooking pizza because the dome is closer to the food. In practice I don't think it matters much. I designed an oven with a high dome while all the other measurements and specs were the same. I couldn't see that it cooked any differently. It performs exactly the same as my original oven. If you have a low dome then your oven opening height will also be correspondingly lower which may create problems fitting large things in, although if you are planning a large oven this will not be a consideration. A higher dome will create a larger combustion volume which will mean an increase in fuel usage.

Regarding the flue gallery height it seems a bit daft to me to make it lower than the oven opening height because you won't be able to fit your oven door past it very easily. If the flue gallery height is larger then it makes it much easier to work the oven. Likewise a flue gallery wider and flared towards the outside mouth makes the oven easier to work as well. I also like an entry that is shallow so you don't have to reach in so far, or jab little kids in the head with rediculously long handled peels.

[Aussie Pete]

thanks david, ok, i think my dome height will be about 18" high, i think that seems ok.

now for a silly question...when placing the door in place, does the door get placed in front of the flue entry or behind? i've seen pics of ovens with doors both ways...which is correct?

[david s]

It depends on the design you want. The Pompeii design isolates the flue from the oven and therefore retains heat better. If the door is on the outside of the flue it does give you extra oven space, but you then need a flue damper or cap to prevent heat loss through the flue otherwise when you open the oven door you lose lots of heat straight up the flue. I've built a couple of ovens with the door on the outside and have found as many others have, that it is not as good as the door on the inside.

[Aussie Pete]

ok....phewww, i thought that might have been a stupid question, It looks like my design & plans will be for the door on the outside of the flue entry, (never thought much about that idea), i'll just have to make a damper in my flue somehow.
any plans or pics of dampers that others have made?
thanks for your help David.
I strive for knowledge.....its just something i dont have at the moment.