PizzaJNKY pompeii build

[PizzaJNKY]

Bingham, I actually used a real camera for the photo, so I have no idea why the photo uploaded so small. I'll keep trying, eventually it should work better.

[PizzaJNKY]

Okay, here is the latest update. I was having a hard time deciding on how to finish the oven, so the oven decided for me.

This morning I placed chicken wire around the dome to hold in some perlite/mortar insulation, and I was having a hard time with it. I ended up taking the chicken wire off, and tried coating the perlcrete on the dome without the chicken wire. I then started stacking used red brick around the dome, to act as a form. Once the brick was stacked, I kinda liked the look.

I ended up mortaring in 3 layers of the brick form, and have decided this is the route I will take.

Its almost like I am adding a second pompeii oven to coat the first pompeii.

I am planning on only going up to the point where the dome starts to curve inward. At that point I will probably just do a stucco type roof finish, maybe mortar in some thin cut brick just to make it look uniform, then waterproof it.

Hopefully this all makes sense, because if someone thinks the idea will not work, please let me know before I go too far. Thanks for any input.

[gjbingham]

I gotcha. Sounds workable to me. Once you get to the point that the dome starts angling in, the vermicrete will stay in place much better.

[PizzaJNKY]

Does anyone know if I need to add a pipe to the perlite/mortar insulation around the dome to vent it? I saw a photo of an oven recently, that had stainless steel pipes inserted into the insulation, that came out at the back of the oven. Is it necessary?

[dmun]

Some may install a brick vent in a roofed enclosure, or put soffit vents in the eves, but I don't know of any igloo enclosure that's been vented.

[gjbingham]

Nor do I. I think I would be counterproductive and allow heat loss from within. Button that oven up tight I'f you're doing an Igloo finish. Make sure the outer layer is waterproof and you're good to go.

[PizzaJNKY]

Hopefully I got this straight-Igloo (no venting), roofed enclosure can have a vent. hmmm, now I guess I need to figure out what my oven is going to be. I think its gonna be an igloo, or something fairly close to one. It won't have a roof, I will just cover the whole thing in more brick, then apply a water sealant. I think I'm gonna error on the side of caution, and skip the vent.

Hay look at that-99 posts, one more and I get to cut bricks!

[PizzaJNKY]

Here is an update, with a question, of course...

I've completed puting perlite/mortar around the dome for insulation.

Ontop of this insulation, I want to finish the oven by placing splits of used red bricks on the top of the dome, maintaining an igloo shape.

My question is what method should I use to stick the splits to the top of the perlite/mortar insulation?

My plan was just to use regular type S mortar to hold the splits in place.

[gjbingham]

I'm not up to speed on mortar types, but it sounds like you're on the right track. Googel type S and N mortars. There's several others. dmun and others know this stuff.

[thebadger]

Pizzajnky

Are you just using perlite and portland 5 to 1 for the outer coating? I thought someone said you can also use mortar instead of the portland.

Thanks
Dick