Oven position

[mfiore]

I am building a 42 inch pompeii on a standard concrete oven stand with no cantilever. I have a fair amount of space on the stand (built it a little over sized). I would like some room for a small landing/counter space in front.

For those that have used their oven, and have incorporated a landing, how far back would you place your oven. I want to have a nice, sizable space, but not too far back that it is awkward to work in the oven.

[Les]

Originally Posted by mfiore

For those that have used their oven

Count me out.

Les...

[Frances]

I suggest you stand in front of the stand and lean over it with your arms outstretched a bit. That's where your startup fire goes, just inside the front of the oven dome. Then work it out from there.

Everything else you do with the oven you'll be using a peel or flinging in logs from a safe distance.

[Breven]

Mike-

I have 10" in the front of my oven, but 4 inches are taken up by an outside decorative arch which only leaves 6 inches of space, not exactly functional. I haven't used my oven, but I've built 6 curing fires (#7 tonight, pizza tomorrow night!) I'm 6' tall and really have to stretch to place wood in the center. My stand is about waist high. I think 12" would probably be good.

[nissanneill]

Mike,
I don't have a shelf/bench in the front of the oven as they restrict your access into your oven especially when setting and lighting your fires. The access with handled devices, brush, peels, rake etc is awkward as the longer they get and really what would /could you use this (wasted) space for?
Sure, use the space besides your front arch/entrance for placing your wine glass. carry boards etc, but as far as the oven is concerned, you lift your cooked goods out with a peel and either rest it in your chimney void or place it on as board/plate outside your oven on a bench.
I would not make life anymore difficult by incorporating a space in front of the opening.
For what it is worth.

Neill

[thebadger]

Mfiore,

I'm just know pouring my landing. After using my oven, I realized I ddin't want as deep of a landing as I originaly thought. It just depends on how deep your entry way is as well.

If possible, I would try to use it a little bit and see where you net out.

Mine is going to be 10 from the hearth bricks. I then have about 11" until I reach the mouth of the oven...

Good luck.
Dick

[mfiore]

Thanks for the input. I took Frances's advice. I set up a "mock" oven. I suggest this for all builders. I roughed out the oven size, then set up a pseudo-entry about the size of an oven opening (12 inches high, 20 inches wide). I think that 12 inches of landing is workable, 8 inches on the oven, with about 4 hanging over.

I also learned that the opening is smaller than I thought, and that most of the dome will not be visible for most people. This is good to realize before starting the build. So much anxiety and tension goes into having a beautiful, symmetric dome, but very little will be seen!

[Les]

Originally Posted by mfiore

So much anxiety and tension goes into having a beautiful, symmetric dome, but very little will be seen!

Mike YOU know. Do the best you can and call it a day (week, month, year.....)

From my counter edge to the inside of the oven is 20.5 inches ( I have 12 inches of counter space). The tools I made are 55 inches long - I can get to every part of the oven with no problem - but then again, I still haven't cooked a thing.

Les...