WFO Build in Connecticut

[Aegis]

Originally Posted by flyfisherx

Thanks John. I will definitely give you a shout when I need it. Other chores have kept me from any further progress. I did get the lumber to frame out my hearth though. I will reach out maybe this next weekend.

Thanks

It will be here, so take your time.... no expiration date!

[flyfisherx]

My FB board and blanket just arrived yesterday. I am ready to start building my dome. I am at a crossroads as to how I start my sailor course. I will be laying half bricks on their sides to keep my seams well staggered.

Do I build floor inside the sailor course?

Do I build dome on top of oven floor?

The plans say that it does not matter but the floor inside dome is more efficient.

Can anyone with experience chime in and help me out here?

[Faith In Virginia]

You can do it either way. I think it's a mater of choice. But then you have some advantages for putting the floor on the inside of the dome. Like if you have a damaged brick under the dome it would be more difficult to fix. So with that you can ask how it would get damaged and if it's near the edge who cares. You can also think about any settling issues with your dome if the dome settles on your base and insulation it won't affect the floor but then again if you have the dome on top of the floor will that help with any settling issues. Going inside is more work, going under is easier.

I think I covered most of the pro's and con's of that subject... So the choice is yours. I cheated and have a double layer of fire brick, the low set is under and the upper set is inside.

Hope that helps. Faith

I don't think there is any right or wrong answer so pick one and stick with it...but don't look back.

[flyfisherx]

Originally Posted by Faith In Virginia

I cheated and have a double layer of fire brick, the low set is under and the upper set is inside.

Thanks for the response. I like that Idea! I never thought of that!!! Sounds like a more structurally sound way to go. The bottom floor act as the foundation supporting the dome with an inside cooking floor for ease of brick maintenance if ever needed.

That's an awesome Idea.

Thanks

[Faith In Virginia]

Now keep in mind that I have a bread oven and my oven mass is 7.5 inches in the floor and walls. I don't how an unequal amount of thermal mass between floor and walls would behave. I don't imagine very good. If you double layer your floor be sure it equals your wall thickness. extra thickness in the floor of a pizza oven will take that floor longer to heat up. Perhaps not something you want in a pizza oven that you cook bread in once in a while... So keep your floor the same thickness as your walls.

[flyfisherx]

Understood. I just decided to build the floor inside one layer and use my original sailor course design. I am finding that over thinking things leads to no where. I just have to do it and in the end I know whatever my decision, it will all work out. Thanks again.

[Aegis]

Originally Posted by flyfisherx

Thanks for the response. I like that Idea! I never thought of that!!! Sounds like a more structurally sound way to go. The bottom floor act as the foundation supporting the dome with an inside cooking floor for ease of brick maintenance if ever needed.

That's an awesome Idea.

Thanks

Hi David,
For what it is worth, I did the hearth inside the dome walls. It was more work to do it that way (more brick cutting a round floor/hearth) but thought it worth the trouble in case of brick damage. Through my neglect, I left some firebrick chips in-between the hearth and the dome wall. During the curing process the hearth heated up and expanded, with no place to expand. My firebrick chips took out the expansion joint required between the hearth and walls. CRACK, went the dome wall, and not a small crack at that! For this potential problem I would never build another this way. With the walls on top of the hearth everything can expand, even with a dash of stupidity added in like I did!
I only have a one firebrick thick hearth and have baked a dozen large loaves of bread at once without a mass/heat issue. Insulate, insulate, insulate , this will help more for bread baking in a pizza oven without sacrificing a lot more wood for heating up a larger thermal mass.
Again, many people here that were careful and kept stupidity out of the oven haven't had a problem with their hearth inside the walls.
Good Luck
John

[Faith In Virginia]

Good idea. the second half of that is Don't Look Back... the would of, could of , should of, can eat you up. What is done is done. I think you got my point:-)

[flyfisherx]

Thanks John and Faith. I am going to go lay out my floor now and let whatever happens happen. GianniFocacia made his dome on top of the floor and his build is flawless.

I'll see what I feel when I get to that point and let my gut direct me.

Thanks again for helping me think out loud on this.

Dave

[Aegis]

Originally Posted by flyfisherx

Thanks John and Faith. I am going to go lay out my floor now and let whatever happens happen. GianniFocacia made his dome on top of the floor and his build is flawless.

I'll see what I feel when I get to that point and let my gut direct me.

Thanks again for helping me think out loud on this.

Dave

Dave, you have the right idea, how can your gut be wrong when building anything pizza related!

Like the nike logo says - Just Do It!

btw we need some prgress pics! lol