Cast your own

[CAM]

I was a little surprised to see my name on a post when I haven't done so in a while. Thanks for the info guys. Now that my new house is done I'll be building with firebrick when I get a litttle time and finish the fence, sprinkler system......................Oy!

[BrentH]

Have you cast your oven? It seems much easier to make a form than to build the dome out of brick. I have read that refractory cement may not be strong enough. I don't care if I have to wait a month for it to cure. Still sounds like less work than with brick.

[dmun]

The brick dome is the fun part

[Frances]

Too right dmun!

Being able to cook your own pizzas is just an added perk...

[BrentH]

I realize that the construction is enjoyable for many here. I would like an oven to use. The most affordable and easiest route to my goal is why I read this forum. Hopefully there is somebody that can tell me if casting with refractory cement is a workable solution.

[dmun]

Sorry, I didn't mean to be flip. We have had some scattered experience with cast ovens. One that comes to mind is member Ed Schmidt in Michigan. He cast geodesic triangles, and got much better results that I did by cutting them out of rectanguar bricks.





Others have proposed making sector based ovens, and even casting entire ovens using something called a dogloo (a hard foam doghouse) as a form, but to my knowledge, they haven't come back to talk about it.

I think the deciding factor is the time factor. It takes so long to cure inches thick refractory castings, when in fact most builders have trouble waiting that week before starting the curing fires. If this doesn't bother you, then there is no problem, particularly if you can get affordable castible refractory material.

So, by all means, go ahead, and please keep us posted. We learn by what people learn, and share, in the course of their projects.

[RTflorida]

From my talking with a refractory specialist, it is all in the cure. This guy actually suggested that I do a cast oven, but was very clear to mention that the curring recommendations be followed explicitely. I think he mentioned that he carried 2 different brands and the recommendations were a bit different for each.
I chose the firebrick route. To me figuring out how/what to use for a form and the fact that I had never worked with any type of castable material, was enough to go the traditional brick route.
In reality, the brick work is not hard work.....at least not to me. It can be very tedious if you choose the "cut to fit" method (and does seem to take forever). I can honestly see 2 people errecting an entire dome in a weekend using the basic 1/2 brick method.
To me, the hard part was mixing and pouring the support and hearth slabs and the concrete block stand. A cast oven is going to need the same.

I think this is one of those 6 of one, a half dozen of another situations. Go with what your more comfortable with and what fits your budget and time frame. Just remember - just because you cast it today it does not mean pizza tomorrow.
If done right, both will work wonderfully.

RT

[BrentH]

No need to apologize dmun. Thanks for everybody's willingness to help a new guy. I will continue to learn from everybody on this forum before I decide which route to take.

[Acoma]

RT, I guess you can add me to the cut to fit team. Well, cutting is not every side...

[ernesto]

New to the Forum. Looking for info about a process where the masons would pile up wet newspaper into a dome shape and apply mortar over it, which would hold the moisture while it cured. I have a friend who watched it being built years ago but was too young for any info.