The Badger Build

[asudavew]

Re: The Badger Build

I've heard quite a few sporadic "clinks" is this "normal"? Is this the oven cracking or just normal expanding and contracting??? So far (fingers crossed) I haven't lost any bricks.

Mine made that noise a lot.
And yes it cracked. Not only mortar joints, but bricks themselves.
I think that noise was the bricks cracking. But not positive.
I did rush my cure a bit. Wish I wouldn't have ....

Anyways... cracks happen.
Don't sweat it, but don't rush.

[thebadger]

Re: The Badger Build

Just don't get between me and the buffet line

Curing continues with a 1 inch FB blanket in place:
1st day 1 1/2 hrs at about 300-350 (newspaper only)
2nd day 1 1/2 hrs at about 300-350 (newspaper only)
3rd day 5 hrs 350-450 (hit 550 once with a flare up )(paper/wood)

I've heard quite a few sporadic "clinks" is this "normal"? Is this the oven cracking or just normal expanding and contracting??? So far (fingers crossed) I haven't lost any bricks.

I'm going to keep this up (nothing too much past 500) this week and then next week I'll insulate/perlcrete and repeat a little before going "plasma."

Thanks
Dick

PS picked up some decorative bricks for the front arch - they should look really good - I'll post pics later.

[gjbingham]

Re: The Badger Build

Otters are pretty fierce when it comes to clams. Crack 'em on a rock sitting on their belly then bottoms up. That's fierce!

[thebadger]

Re: The Badger Build

Yep...

Just a play on words... My name was "mis pronounced" as "Badger" and I said the Badger is a ferocious creature (truth) my friends were telling me the Badger was a chubby, furry creature that floats on his back eating all day.

Dick

[mfiore]

Re: The Badger Build

Badger, isn't that an otter on your Avatar?

[thebadger]

Re: The Badger Build

Yep, that's why I thought you were asking. It should be fine. I don't want it sticking out too far as I don't want to impede getting things in/out. Mainly just want a "ledge" to put hot items on when the come out of the oven.

Did another fire tonight 1 1/2 hours at about 300-350 - just using news paper and a few old shims.

Low and slow

Dick

[mfiore]

Re: The Badger Build

Got it. At first it wasn't clear how it would stay up once you pull your forms, but if you surround the oven completely (which will be very cool, I look forward to this!), than it can't "tip" off

[thebadger]

Re: The Badger Build

Mfiore,

For the pour, I'll build a form using wood and 2x4 legs like we all do for the area underneath the hearth...

I'll run rebar from the back to the front and put rebar sticking out and criss cross over the cantilever section so it should be fine once it dries...

I hope.

Thanks
Dick

[mfiore]

Re: The Badger Build

Dick, what will support and secure the cantilever?

[thebadger]

Re: The Badger Build

Dbhansen,

Yes, I plan to cantilever out about 6-12 inches (probably 8"). Basically I'll build forms and place the counter around and in front of the oven. I should be about 3 1/2" thick using the colored concrete - it will surround the oven completely. I plan to use 2x4 on thier side around the edge to create an overhang that I'll place my stone veneer underneath around the oven base (wood storage area). Hope that all makes sense.

A concrete guy looked at what I was planning and said I should be okay.

Dick

[dbhansen]

Re: The Badger Build

Dick, are you still planning a cantilever off the front with your final layer of concrete? If so, how thick will it be? I've been thinking about that part of my oven and was curious how yours will be done. Having a relatively thin caltilevered layer above the hearth slab & perlcrete should look nice versus starting the cantilever at the hearth slab, which is what I was planning. Or perhaps I misunderstood your intentions....
- Daren

[Ken524]

Re: The Badger Build

Extremely nice!

[mfiore]

Re: The Badger Build

It's a great looking dome, Dick. I'm glad we got one last photo before it got covered with black soot!

[james]

Re: The Badger Build

That is one great-looking dome. Complimenti. Keep going Dick -- cooking is just around the corner.
James

[gjbingham]

Re: The Badger Build

I still like the idea of a hotplate in the oven early on. Set it on low for a couple of days and monitor the temps to make sure it doesn't get too hot. Once you're happy with the temps, just walk away and ignore it. I believe that once the water works it's way out of the mortar and brick, the temps will start to rise on their own (just a guess). That's when I'd hit it with the real fires. Then again, I might be full of shi..... ships. Go Navy!