Tony's Oven Build Pompeii Oven Construction Discuss Tony's Oven Build in the Pizza Oven Design and Installation forums; Well I have started. I framed and poured the base this past weekend and just removed the forms. Base looks ...

[tdibratt]

Well I have started. I framed and poured the base this past weekend and just removed the forms. Base looks good and level considering the slope of the backyard.

Did it after completing the pondless waterfall in the front of the one picture. My wife and I wanted to dress up the back yard and it turned out pretty good considering we had never done it before.

This is my 3rd oven. But there has been so many advancements and changes over the years that I am looking to incorporate them into this one. I am very excited and looking forward to those back yard parties and pizza.

I am very thankfull to this site and the many people on this forum that share their experiences and suggestions.

I hope to take picture along the way and share them for criticism and help. Some things I am not sure just how I will tackle but figure I will cross that bridge when I get there. For example the last 2 had a steel lintle and no arched entry. I am thing I want to make an arch for this one so the connection between the dome and the arch I am not sure just yet.

Wish me luck.

[Breven]

Good luck Tony. With two under your belt, your ahead of most of us! I'd say go for the arch. It's easy to do. There are a number of us first time masons that managed to pull it off- I'm sure you can.
Keep us posted with pics!

Breven

[Antonio D.]

Welcome Tony

Go for the arch. I'm trying to get mine enclosed. But too much rain the past 3 weekends

Tony

[tdibratt]

TOny where abouts in Aurora are you? I am just south of you at the south end of Oak Ridges.

[christo]

Another option is to span the opening with the Slab.

I wish I had done that vs spanning the opening with block and angle iron.

There are few folks that have done this and the results (to me) look more proportional. - You may consider this technique if you go for a decorative arch as well.

I originally had a double arch (over/under) planned for my oven - I still wish I had gone for it.

BTW - with 3 ovens under your belt - we'd love you hear your words of wisdom!

good luck!!!

christo

[tdibratt]

Well I must say Number 1 and 2 worked and never failed me but each of them had their flaws. Number 1 had a concrete pad under the firebrick. No insulation below the concrete slab or under the firebrick. Over the oven I had about 4 inches of cladding and brick sand over that as an insulator. Number 2 I put vermiculate under the concrete and arched the facade. I put vermiculite over the 4 inches of cladding as an insulator. I have smoke build up on that one. I have posted another thread on this forum and the likely problem is the depth of the vent opening and the size of it leading to the 8 inch flue above.

So things have improved and now years later I see there has been a number of reccommended changes to help improve it still.

Here is picture of number 2. I cannot seem to find any of the first right now.

Regards

[Antonio D.]

I'm at Bathurst and Henderson in the Tamarac trail subdivision.
How about yourself?

Tony

[tdibratt]

Yonge at Jefferson Forest.

[tdibratt]

Well I laid the hearth today. Laid my first course of half bricks upright and then laid 1 course flat. I also built the arched front for the entry to the oven. I am thinking ahead here and have a question.

The bottom of the arch for the entry cuts about 1.5 inches into the dome area. I know this because I had to cut my styrofoam form with a notch about 1.5 inches in and 2 inches up. That allowed me to build the arch. Now as I continue up the course of bricks how do I successfully transition to the arch entry? I have done this in the past with a flat entry using angle iron and so this is new ground for me.

If I continue the bricks up and keep the inside of the half brick with the inside of the arch, I will not end up round. More like oval at front. The top pf the arch brick is about 2-3 inches from the styrofoam form. Am I to continue to rest the brick on the form and just let them hang in over the arch? Which may mean I need to use longer brick at that point?

Thx

[BrritSki]

Good luck with the build, sounds like we're at about the same stage.

Useful tips in the other thread about smoke on the facade - I think I'm going to modify my design to make the opening 3 half-bricks wide instead of just 2.

Ciao Rog