WFO with a view Brick Oven Photos Discuss WFO with a view in the Good Background Information forums; I've been planning this project since stumbling across Forno Bravo last summer. I was quickly inspired, and thought of a ...

[tfasz]

I've been planning this project since stumbling across Forno Bravo last summer. I was quickly inspired, and thought of a great use for the new area we had been planning on fixing up in the corner of our yard. We had an over-grown spot with a decaying shed and retaining wall, a broken up concrete patio, and a imploding old brick fire-pit/barbecue. I hired a contractor to do much of the tear-out and put in a new patio, retaining wall, and concrete platform. Then I started putting together plans for the oven last fall. Now that ski season is over and the weather getting nicer, figured it was a perfect time to get going on putting things together.

I'm building a 36" oven which will end up being a bit tight on the platform. So far I have 3 1/2" of perlite/cement and 2" of Insblock 19 under the oven, and will plan on some type of blanket insulation over the top. Will probably be going with an igloo finish, but may end up putting some type of cover on it if water ends up being an issue.

I am in no rush, so planning on stretching this project out as long as possible (nice excuse to hang out in the back yard). We have an annual party in early August during Seattle's Seafair event so that is my tentative target for some pizza. ;-)

Thanks to James and the community for making such a great resource to aspiring weekend masons and pizza makers.

For some starter photos, here is what the spot looked while we started tearing it all apart.

[tfasz]

I hope they are not tearing out my oven in 50 years, but this old oven had a pretty thick slab. Luckily no re-bar in it.

[tfasz]

New retaining wall and patio go in pretty quick. The platform is a bit lighter than many of the others folks are building - hoping it will hold up the weight ....

[tfasz]

Started cutting bricks in the garage last fall to get some of the basic ideas/shapes together. I made my own little version of the indispensable tool with the base of a wheel, some threaded rod, and a few pieces of scrap wood.

[tfasz]

I managed to get the insulation base layer setup and in some 2x4's. I mixed the first batch way too dry, a neighborhood cat walked through it later that day and left 1" deep foot prints. I kept it wet for a week and it seemed to take a while but finally setup pretty stiff.

I raised up the 2x4's 2 inches, and then did a second layer of perlite/cement around the outside of 2 layers of 1" Insblock 19.

[tfasz]

Went with a running bond floor after I got a bit too excited cutting my first bricks and forgot I meant to do a herringbone.

[tfasz]

I finally started mortaring bricks a few weeks ago. Really fun to start putting the dome together.

[tfasz]

I cut my bricks last weekend, and got my first arch together this weekend.

[tfasz]

Oh yeah - and all of the pics and some more are available on the Picassa album in the link below.

[Raffy]

You weren't kidding about the view. That is beautiful. How far along are you with the build?