Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca. Pompeii Oven Construction Discuss Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca. in the Pizza Oven Design and Installation forums; I'm started my project with moving a rock wall, because where we wanted to put the oven was too close ...

[trockyh]

I'm started my project with moving a rock wall, because where we wanted to put the oven was too close to the property line. My wife helped me and we completed the task in one day, which included her decorating a little.
I also put down some road rock on the hillside so I can access the sight with my truck and tractor this winter.
I couldn't do any of the work I've done on our property without the tractor. We are on 5 acres somewhat between Sacramento and Tahoe.
I am attaching some pictures of the progress so far.
Thank you to everyone before me, your ideas and hard work are an inspiration. I just hope my work will turn out good enough to post pictures of.

Tom

[dusty]

Nice work. Keep up that pace and you will be baking before you know it.

dusty

[trockyh]

Thanks dusty,
I am picking up cinder block this morning I found for .75 each. I haven't been working much lately and need to do this on a shoe string. Hope to find fire brick on the cheap also.
I hope to start the forms for the slab this afternoon before the rain tonight. The weather is suppose to be good after the weekend, so hopefully I can pour the slab next week.
I can't wait to cook some pizza, Nena's favorite food.

Tom

[jmhepworth]

What a great setting for an oven. Good luck, and enjoy the process.

[dusty]

Tom,

I have mentioned this before, but H.C. Muddox (firebrick manufacurer) is on Bradshaw rd. in Sac. and will sell "seconds" to the public for .30 each. They are seconds, but very suitable for oven building. Guy's name is Jeff and he is very cool and receptive to the oven thing.
If you need more info, say the word.

dusty

[trockyh]

Originally Posted by jmhepworth

What a great setting for an oven. Good luck, and enjoy the process.

Thanks Joe, we are very blessed with our property. We see the snow covered mountains, but don't have to deal with the white stuff.

Tom

[trockyh]

Picked up 52 cement blocks yesterday for .75 each, so I'm very pleased with the price.
Today, we excavated and set the form for the base. It rained for a few hours, but when it stopped we went back out to work on it in the mud. Hate that stuff, takes allot to get it off your boots.
Tomorrow we will get the sand/gravel mix and will pour the slab this weekend if we can deal with the mud.
Thanks dusty for the fire brick info, that is a great price and only an hour from here.
Can't wait to bake some bread.

Tom

[trockyh]

The weather cleared for us to work on the forms yesterday. I have the rebar wired and ready to put in the form, but I want to tamp the rock again today before we mix and pour cement.
Gusts of wind, 30mph at the moment. Hope it stops soon so we can get to work.
Here is a picture of where we are at in the process.
http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/memb...ation-form.jpg

[dusty]

Looks great so far. Seems as though you've got the "oven bug". There's no stopping you now. Soon you will be loosing sleep thinking about it - if you haven't already.

dusty

[trockyh]

Originally Posted by dusty

Looks great so far. Seems as though you've got the "oven bug". There's no stopping you now. Soon you will be loosing sleep thinking about it - if you haven't already.

dusty

Yea dusty, I've lost sleep, at least wake up in the early hours and lay there thinking about it.
I finished prepping for the pour for tomorrow when a friend will help. I would have done it today if I could have figured a way to screed the concrete by myself.
When I get closer, maybe we can talk and set up getting my bricks down there.
Where did you get your mortar?

Thanks,
Tom