dome built on top of or around oven floor?

[egalecki]

I built mine on top of the floor- and I used newspaper strips to keep from mortaring the bricks to the floor. I think it worked ok. If you make them a little bigger than you need, it helps to keep the mortar off the floor inside the dome. I also used a big piece of tyvek inside to keep the mortar off the floor while building.

[rbigante]

thanks elizabeth!

gave me an idea. i'm going to use plain old 8.5x11 paper cut to size. that should do it.

[fxpose]

If you build the dome on top of the oven floor how far out can you extend the floor from the dome? Can it cover the entire hearth?

[rbigante]

I extended my floor no more than 2 inches or so from the outside of the dome. I wouldn't go too far because it may make insulating a bit harder. my dome insulation (FB blanket) butts into my floor insulation (FB Board). If you floor extends too far from the outside of the dome, you may not be able to insulate properly or may have to add additional insulation that may otherwise not be necessary.

[christo]

I was in a hurry and let my bricks fly long vs. cutting them to rough shape.

The whole bricks that extended got closer than 3 inches to my enclosure walls and metal studs - so I had to cut them after the fact. Sure wish I had just whacked them in half with a chisel when we laid the floor.

It was a pain getting a grinder in there and cutting them in half.

Christo

[dmun]

The main thing is that the entire oven needs to be enveloped in insulation, except the mouth. I left the floor bricks stick out farther than necessary, and may have some heat leaks as a result.

Doesn't have to be fussy, just cut off chunks you don't need.