dome built on top of or around oven floor? Pompeii Oven Construction Discuss dome built on top of or around oven floor? in the Pizza Oven Design and Installation forums; Hi everyone, back at work on my 36" oven now that the weather is nice. I'm hoping someone can convince ...

[dougrappe]

Hi everyone, back at work on my 36" oven now that the weather is nice. I'm hoping someone can convince me one way or another how to place the oven floor. I have seen the two different methods of dome construction, one with the dome walls sitting on top of the fire brick floor, the other with the floor inset within the walls. It seems that some of the more recently built ovens are using the second option, is there a distinct advantage? I have a wet-saw so the extra cutting isn't really a problem, just wondering why some of you have chosen one method over the other.

As the hearth slab is curing, I'm interested in laying out and precutting as much as I can. THANKS!

Doug

[Ken524]

Hi Doug,

There have been a few debates on this issue on the forum. I used option #2 for my oven (floor inset within the walls), but I'm convinced it makes no difference whatsoever.

The mass of brick used is exactly the same with either method. Any difference (if any exists) would be splitting hairs. Adequate insulation over, under and around the oven is far more important.

If you go with option #2, make sure you leave a small gap between the floor and walls to allow for thermal expansion of the floor. I put some cardboard around my floor bricks to leave the small space when I built the first course of the wall. The gap will fill with ash after your first few fires.

If you build the walls on top of the floor, I suggest not mortaring the first course of bricks to the floor. This will allow the walls and floor to expand and contract without damaging the walls.

Build it they way you think it will be easier.

[dmun]

Yep, no difference in performance. I built my dome on top of the floor because of less fussy cutting, but both ways work fine.

[Frances]

I built my dome round the floor because I couldn't be bothered to work out how big to make the floor if I put the bricks on it... silly reason, but it still doesn't matter

[Modthyrth]

LOL, and I built my dome on top of the floor so I could just set out enough bricks for the floor, not worry about precise cuts, and start building the dome more quickly. Both methods seem to work beautifully.

If I'd been doing a dome enclosure, I would have cut the bricks for the floor and done the ring on the outside.

[dougrappe]

Thanks everyone, I guess I'll flip a coin Nice to have options, I am planning an igloo type finish, so I was planning to cut the floor fairly round anyway. (Although I'm still keeping my options open there.) I am really enjoying this whole process, and have been admiring all of your work for some time, it's nice to pick and choose among all the best details and solutions you all have come up with! Hope to contribute some of my own soon enough.

Doug

[Les]

Doug,

One thing that comes to mind, that wasn't mentioned - If you ever need to replace a hearth brick (and I don't see that happening) it would be much easier if the dome wasn't sitting on it. And if you are taking count, I went with option #2. Like Ken said - what ever is easiest for you.

Les...

[Wood fired oven workshops]

Les is right. The logic for having the floor bricks or tiles inside the dome is to replace them if needed.
I expect that unless you are using the oven 24 x 7 x 360, as in a commercial operation, it is unlikely you would need to replce decent hearth bricks in a lifetime.
With walls 'on' the floor it save an awful lot of cutting.

[Dino_Pizza]

Hi Doug, great job on the base. The stone is really beautiful. You're going to have a great looking oven. Can't wait to see it.

But if you go with the soldier course AROUND the floor, you can leave them whole and just cut the tops at a slight angle to get your dome curve started. It makes for a tall, 6 1/2" base before you start curving the dome. (which I think is desirable)

Then again, you could cut the soldiers to any height you want on top of the floor too. So like Ken said, it's up to you.

Cheers, Dino

[rbigante]

Has anyone used some type of barrier between their first course of brick and the floor (first course on top of floor) to prevent bonding of the first course mortar to the floor. I was thinking of cutting wedges of waxpaper. I figure it's non-toxic (i would think?).