The build has begun!

[coveforest]

Re: The build has begun!

I am in the early stages of laying bricks and starting to get concerned that I might not have enough Heatstop mortar. How much did you use on your oven?

Thanks - Chris

[brianventura]

Re: The build has begun!

david s,
Thanks, I have finish with the curing and ready for pizza.


Chris,
I used four and a half 50 pound bags of mortar that I purchased from Forno Bravo. I had some waste here and there but I tried to keep that to a minimum. I would only mix 5 to 10 pounds at at time depending on what I was able to accomplish. I hope that helps. When I started I had no idea how much I would use. I needed just a little more to finish my vent area so I had to order 1 more bag than I thought would need. Good luck with your build.

I have now started on building the enclosure since the curing process has finished.

[coveforest]

Re: The build has begun!

Thanks for the info on mortar amounts. Guess I'll need to get some more especially since I'm not tapering my bricks as you did....though I might need to consider tapering as I worry that the mortar joint thickness is too big.

I've been admiring your build and really studying the vent area (inner and outer arches). Nice work!!! Thanks so much for taking the time to post detailed pictures.

How well did your first fire go? Any draw issues?

[Aegis]

Re: The build has begun!

david s,
Chris,
I would only mix 5 to 10 pounds at at time depending on what I was able to accomplish. I hope that helps. When I started I had no idea how much I would use. I needed just a little more to finish my vent area so I had to order 1 more bag than I thought would need. Good luck with your build.
I have now started on building the enclosure since the curing process has finished.

I am in the middle of setting my second chain and I haven't gone through one bag yet. I am hoping 4 bags will be enough for my 42" pompeii. As for how much I mix, I am obviously learning as I go and have learned a lot. Like I now only mix what my back can stand to take at one time. It is usually enough to do about 10 bricks in the chain. I did listen to all the posts on how quickly heatstop50 sets up and started with very small batches to get the "feel" of how much water to mix and how fast it sets.
Good Luck
John

[brianventura]

Re: The build has begun!

Chris,

I only tapered the sides and not the top and bottom. The space between the rings was wider than I liked so I used thin wedges that I cut from scrap pieces. It seemed to work for me. That is probably why I used as much as I did.

As for the first fire it went well. I was very cautious in starting the fire and keeping the temperature down to the recommended levels. I did the complete curing process without the chimney pipe on because it rained a couple of times and I had to keep the canopy over as cover. The oven vented very well for not having the chimney pipe on, only a small amount of smoke would exit the front.

Brian

[brianventura]

Re: The build has begun!

I did develop small cracks on the outside of the dome but after reading some other posts its nothing to worry about.

I finished framing up the oven and then it was time for the first pizzas. We made four (one at a time) and they came out quick and very good!

[Mike D]

Re: The build has begun!

That does not look Like a small fire in the pictures. Is that after you finished the curing process? Looks good though keep it up. I am looking forward to seeing how you are going to finish the outside.

Mike

[brianventura]

Re: The build has begun!

Mike D,

Yes this was certainly not the first fire. I had already spent a week on the curing process.

[BriggsARNP]

Re: The build has begun!

It looks really good. I don't see any smoke on your outer arch. I can't wait to see how you finish it.

[fullback66]

Re: The build has begun!

I downloaded the plans for a 42" oven off the Forno Bravo web site

Where did you find the download? I can not find it on the home page.
Your oven is very nice. You set the bar very high.

[Lburou]

Re: The build has begun!

I downloaded the plans for a 42" oven off the Forno Bravo web site

Where did you find the download? I can not find it on the home page.
Your oven is very nice. You set the bar very high.

You will find a link in this thread.

Brian, I'm jealous at the cleanness still on the outside of your entry arch! We have had big winds here this week and I've had to block the entry with plywood to keep the smoke from coming down, yes down, the chimney and then out the front -another length of flu should fix that. After the fire and oven are hot, we're OK, but your clean arch looks great! :double cool:

[fullback66]

Re: The build has begun!

You will find a link in this thread.

Brian, I'm jealous at the cleanness still on the outside of your entry arch! We have had big winds here this week and I've had to block the entry with plywood to keep the smoke from coming down, yes down, the chimney and then out the front -another length of flu should fix that. After the fire and oven are hot, we're OK, but your clean arch looks great! :double cool:

Thank you very much. What a great site.

[ggoose]

Re: The build has begun!

brianventura,

I was admiring your clean and well-ordered metal stud framing job. I hope mine looks as good when I finish. I did have one comment though. You migh consider adding a collar tie or two, or run some studs from the top of the wall on the left side to the top of the wall on the right side where space permits. As your roof stands now, there is nothing to prevent the side walls from bending outward from weight on the roof. In other words, you haven't completed the triangle (the bottom chord) which allows the roof to bear a load.

Just a thought that might prevent a problem in the future

gene

[brianventura]

Re: The build has begun!

Fullback66,
Thanks for the comment. I have been away from communication for a while and I'm glad that you received some good information to get started.

Lburou,
Thank you very much for posting the information in a timely manner for fullback66.
I had strong winds during the curing process but luckily I'm am protected by a very large oak tree and hedge. I had a small amount of smoke exit the front but most of it went through the vent.

Gene,
Thanks, this is my first project using metal studs. The walls should be ok as I won't have much of a load on the roof. I also will have a countertop up against each side to add strength for the wall. I had plans on putting collar ties on the rafters but I had to keep the roof height to 6' which didn't allow for room.

[md_massimino]

Re: The build has begun!

I made a form to help finish the rest of the way to the top. I should be finished with the dome real soon.

I love this form, btw. I only used a straight length of wood to set the angle so far and I'm at that stage now where I need the support and I think this approach should work very well.