Franco's 42" Ultimate Cooking Machine

[coladipietro]

Like so many of you, and after many, many hours reading this Forum, I am off and running! Looking forward to my first pizza but I am a bread enthusiast so I guess I'm really looking forward to my first baguette...

Hat tip to cugino Luigi for bringing over the bobcat to make easy work of the excavation!

I've posted before and after...

[coladipietro]

Re: Franco's 42" Ultimate Cooking Machine

Ciao!

Can someone point me in the right direction where someone has discussed the angle cuts for the dome bricks? I know I've seen it somewhere but too many posts read to remember! Thanks for any help.

[dmun]

Re: Franco's 42" Ultimate Cooking Machine

Can someone point me in the right direction where someone has discussed the angle cuts for the dome bricks?

There are almost too many to mention:

Google

Mostly because there are many approaches to the problem, from the minimalist break-bricks-in-half mortar intensive approach, to the cut-every-compound-angle-for-perfect-dry-fit method.

My personal opinion is that you don't need to do any more than some angle trimming to avoid the worst gaps, and have a good looking dome inside. Either approach works fine.

[coladipietro]

Re: Franco's 42" Ultimate Cooking Machine

Thanks dmun...

We're ready for concrete...gonna have to wheel barrow it from street...2.5 yards...not looking forward to that. I have a big helper which is nice!

[coladipietro]

Re: Franco's 42" Ultimate Cooking Machine

One other thing before bed...

I read a lot of different views on setting the first soldier course. Full soldier on hearth, half soldier on oven floor, use mortar, free floating. Help!

[eprante]

Re: Franco's 42" Ultimate Cooking Machine

Franco,
There is a nice set of pics and explanation for the compound angle cuts in Greg Geisen's build thread, including cutting of the soldier course and ring bricks.
http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f8/g...iego-6169.html

I followed his technique mostly and it was fairly easy. I put the soldiers on the hearth, full size but cut them to the angle of the first course using the Indispenible tool as the guide for the angle. I mortared the soldiers together but not to the hearth.

Good luck,

Eric

[coladipietro]

Re: Franco's 42" Ultimate Cooking Machine

Eric,

Thanks for the lead. I am using an insulating board on my hearth. Do the soldiers need to sit on the board or can they sit directly on the concrete? I was planning on setting them on the FB.

[DrakeRemoray]

Re: Franco's 42" Ultimate Cooking Machine

You want the entire dome to sit on insulation. This includes the walls/soldiers...

Drake

[coladipietro]

Re: Franco's 42" Ultimate Cooking Machine

Drake,

I thought that was the case but thanks for confirming...a little reassurance goes a long way when you don't know what you're doing!

[coladipietro]

Re: Franco's 42" Ultimate Cooking Machine

We're making progress!!

[coladipietro]

Re: Franco's 42" Ultimate Cooking Machine

A question regarding my dome...

I know that my mortar joints are larger than a lot of the really well done ovens with tight joints. Will the size of my mortar joints cause me any problems in terms of cracking when I cure the oven? Are there any precautions I should take?

Thanks all...

[dmun]

Re: Franco's 42" Ultimate Cooking Machine

I know that my mortar joints are larger than a lot of the really well done ovens with tight joints. Will the size of my mortar joints cause me any problems in terms of cracking when I cure the oven?

No problem. There is even some evidence that infinitesimal mortar joints may be more subject to cracking than ones with some mortar between them. Just cure normally.

[coladipietro]

Re: Franco's 42" Ultimate Cooking Machine

Progress! I will start curing soon...I think I am going to use the charcoal method for the first few fires. I'm going to get them started outside of the oven in a tray and once they get going I'll put them in the oven. I realize there is some difference of opinion as to whether or not you should use them but it makes sense to me to provide a nice even heat. It seems if you can cook a filet over charcoal you can cure an oven with it...

[coladipietro]

Re: Franco's 42" Ultimate Cooking Machine

We are almost home. Only two things to finish-I'm having a copper roof put on and Newl Orleans style gas lanterns...I wish my plumber and roofer would hurry up.

Tonight is my big fire! I've been using a propane roofer's torch to start my fires-quick and easy and gets them going strong from the get go.

Thanks to all who contribute to this site and make this process so much easier.

[Brauma]

Re: Franco's 42" Ultimate Cooking Machine

Wow, very impressive.