I must be mad..

[brickie in oz]

I must be mad..
I have a castable oven I built for myself last year but there a few issues that I am not really happy about.

Like.
Its a tad too low and you have to bend down to peer into it.
It will only fit 2 pizzas at a time.
The entry could be bigger.
It could be higher inside.
Blah, blah, blah.

So........ I am contemplating knocking it down and building a proper oven, the building is not an issue as I lay bricks for a living.

What I need from the collective wisdom of this forum is your best oven ideas, thoughts, pitfalls, etc.

I would like the outer casing to be in random stone with work surfaces both sides of the oven.
I could probably incorporate a tandoori oven too.

Addictive isnt it?

[nissanneill]

Come on,
post some pics of your castable!
Surely it is not without repair or modification.
• You can always lift it to make viewing easier, (serves your right for not doing your homework properly eh!)
• 2 pizzas at a time ain't all that bad if it means a pizza per minute or so, just get it up to 500˚C.
• Diamond saw out your entrance a little if you really need it wider,
Download the plans, make some serious decisions, source your chosen materials and go for it.
Some one with your skills should have it finished in a a few week-ends.

Cheers.

Neill

[brickie in oz]

I really enjoy a challenge and doing new stuff, even if Ive done it before a different way....

My "old" oven.....

It works ok as it is, but I can see how it could maybe be even better after seeing all the lovely ovens on here..

As for research (homework), if you dont know where to look in the first place you dont find the answers you are seeking.

[sacwoodpusher]

Actually......I don't think you are mad. I built one oven........and played with it. Then, I built another one. The second oven was so much better than the first. This week, I am building three ovens. The main improvement this time around? Cosmetic.

By the time I have built 10 ovens, I'm gonna be really good at it.

I have many outdoor oven projects in mind.......

1)An Argentine Grill or Parrilla
2)An outdoor Salamander (broiler) (heat from above)
3)I have been thinking about an Afghan Style bread oven......something portable....
4)A tandoor

Designing and building outdoor appliances is sure a lot more fun than running a computer training company.

[brickie in oz]

Originally Posted by sacwoodpusher

I built one oven........and played with it. Then, I built another one.

So its not just me....phew......

[azatty]

You're quite mad--as we all are.

I toyed with the idea of a retractable worktable built on a sliding rack mounted in the block stand. My metal fabricator friend and I sat down and drew up plans for it, but I abandoned it in favor of building a full counter next to the oven. Now I'm trying to squeeze a meat smoker into the area too (forgot how much I liked Texas BBQ until I visited over the weekend).

[Tscarborough]

Why knock it down? Save the old one for short people and build another beside it. If one is fun two should be 3 times the pleasure.

[lwood]

I vote for the Argentine Grill or Parrilla. I want to see another one being built and finished.

[bris-pizza-oven]

i dont think your mad at all im thinking the same ....mines too big

if i was closer i would come around and help you drink beer while watching you work

[Lburou]

A project keeps me happy

As you look at your current oven, you could demolish everything above the ash hole (no pun intended ), add a few courses of brick, and pour a hearth of the correct dimensions for your new construction on top of the now higher stand (built to any height you want).

Cantilever the hearth slab wherever the new slab extends beyond the current stand. You've preserved the best of the old and made way for the new -OUTCOME: Is the added value of a better oven size and design, better performance, and finally, increased ease of use. Good luck