Harth construction, sunshine coast

[Angus]

Hi,

I have just finished laying the besser blocks for the base of my oven. I am now at the stage of forming up the top slab / harth. Can i use normal concrete, or should I use a certain type of concrete to get better insulation?

Any advice would be great.

[thickstrings]

Re: Harth construction, sunshine coast

Normal concrete is NOT a insulator. It is for structure. You can put the vermicrete,perlcrete concrete on top of it,and then build your oven on top of that. Or use a insulating board to build on.

[brickie in oz]

Re: Harth construction, sunshine coast

Can i use normal concrete, or should I use a certain type of concrete to get better insulation?

You need to follow someones build thread to see the sequence that things go in before you go any further by the sounds of it.

[Angus]

Re: Harth construction, sunshine coast

Good call.

Thanks lads

[mrchipster]

Re: Harth construction, sunshine coast

Take a look at the free FB oven plans.

Pompeii Oven Plans2.0

[Angus]

Re: Harth construction, sunshine coast

Thats a fantastic link - thanks heaps.

Out of interest, what is the preferred base insulation, the vermiculite mix or the FB?

Angus

[mrchipster]

Re: Harth construction, sunshine coast

Thats a fantastic link - thanks heaps.

Out of interest, what is the preferred base insulation, the vermiculite mix or the FB?

Angus

FB ceramic board is a superior insulator and ther are other comercial brands of ceramic board but they are all more expensive than perlite concrete or vermiculite concrete Perlcrete- vermicrete et al...

People also use Foamglas under ceramic board. All work and have their advantages and disadvantages you will need to decide.

I used 2 .5 inches of vermicrete at 7-1 and then 2 inches of FB board on top of that and I wish I had used another 2 inches of vermicrete.

Everyone says insulate, insulate, insulate. But your oven is your own having its own character, types of food you cook and your personal access or lack of access to cheap, quality wood.

My oven stays at cooking temps for almost a week (slow smoked ribs at the end) and I wish it stayed hot longer...

Remember bottom to top ---- structural support, insulation, cooking floor, oven chamber, oven dome, insulation, waterproof covering - house or igloo, outside wind weather and Mother Nature.