New build - 1.2M dome

[jonv]

Hi folks,

Having planned to build a wood fired oven for a couple of years now, things are finally under way

Our builder gave us a head start by preparing the groundworks; now all I have to do is get on and build the oven. I'm planning on a dome with an internal diameter of 1.2M - a bit big for pizza but I want the space for bread - along with a BBQ, hot and cold smoker, and a tandoor.

So far we have poured the slabs, tiled the patio area, and put some brick pillars in place to take timbers to support a roof which should extend over the patio and the cooking area. Blocks, ballast, cement, and so on, should arrive next week ready to make a start on the oven itself. In the photos, the large slab is for the oven and the long slab for the BBQ, smoker, and tandoor. The smaller slab will be a worktop with fridge and storage space under. We put some ducting in place for electrics which we'll think about later.

I won't be making too much progress until the end of August, but hope to have more photos to share later...

JV

[UtahBeehiver]

Looking forward to seeing this outdoor kitchen go up. 1.2 m (47 plus inches for us Yankees) is a big oven. I see you went with rebar instead of fibers. I am particularly interested on how you do your tandoor. Another UK builder built a parrilla in his outdoor set up.

He is his thread link
https://community.fornobravo.com/for...-surrey-london

[jonv]

Thanks for the link.

For a long time I had planned for a 42" model. I decided to go large in case I want the extra floor space for a big bake. I agonised over the size for a long time, and perhaps I have it wrong, but time will tell... For the tandoor I'm thinking of buying a clay liner and simply providing a suitable enclosure; I've seen them made from a couple of flower pots, but the proper liner has just the right shape.

[jonv]

A little progress; started laying out the block work. I'm currently thinking that four courses plus the hearth plus 100ml of calsil and 76mm of firebrick should make a reasonable working height - approx 1160mm. I don't need all the space under the hearth and it's pretty big so I'm putting two walls across the middle. I'll probably fill the gap too.

[jonv]

Dry stacking these blocks seemed like a good idea - but some packing is needed in places. The blocks vary quite a bit.

[jonv]

Made a bit of progress this week - the base is stacked and ready for the cores to be packed with concrete. I chewed out a channel along the top and bottom of the blocks forming the lintel and wired some rebar in there - perhaps overkill, especially as I only have a small opening, but better safe than sorry

[crisp]

Nice work and a good start.

[david s]

That is the correct way to do it. In fact you can get knock out blocks, bond beam or lintel blocks which have such a channel already cast into the blocks Using these then allows the omission of the exposed angle iron. (This point is perhaps a consideration for the revision of the plans)

[jonv]

That's interesting - I hadn't realised that such blocks were available. My local builders merchants only stock the basic blocks.

I suppose I could simply have propped it until the concrete is poured, but we had some old angle iron free...

[jonv]

Long day today filling the cores. I seem to recall seeing that some folk don't fill all of the cores... which I suppose is fine. I decided to fill the lot, and soon wished I hadn't! At least I have a mixer for this - realised today that this is the first time I haven't mixed up my concrete/cement on a board

Will fill the central space with more concrete and assorted rubble later...

[jonv]

Filled the central void with concrete and rubble then framed up for the hearth and added some 1/2" rebar and 1/4" mesh. All ready for the big pour - on Monday, weather permitting - thankfully with some friends coming to lend a hand

I added a couple of tension wires on each side to help prevent bowing of the frame - can't remember now which post I saw that on, but thanks for the idea whoever you were!

[jonv]

With help from friends, the slab has been poured

[jonv]

Been sorting through a mountain of firebricks

I have nine at 12" x 12" x 3" which should cover most of the floor, and some 12" x 6" x 3" for the cuts around the edges.

I have some flats for the sides of the arches and for constructing the vent, but the rest are arch bricks. 3"/2.5" side arch bricks are pretty close to the dome radius I'm aiming for so should let me have pretty thin mortar joints, just a little bigger on the outside; 3"/2" arch bricks should be good for the inner arch; and I have some 3"/2.25" for the outer arch/vent area. The latter are not quite such a good fit, but still better than making it from flats.

With 4.5" thick dome, or more if I add some muck on the outside, I am wondering whether I should have more than 3" on the base, especially for bread... any thoughts?

[staestc]

Thanks for the link.

For a long time I had planned for a 42" model. I decided to go large in case I want the extra floor space for a big bake. I agonised over the size for a long time, and perhaps I have it wrong, but time will tell... For the tandoor I'm thinking of buying a clay liner and simply providing a suitable enclosure; I've seen them made from a couple of flower pots, but the proper liner has just the right shape.

I too am anxious to see the tandoor! And will of course love watching the rest of the build Stand looks great.

[jonv]

As it happens, my brother is currently attending a course in India - when he returns next spring he should be bearing a genuine tandoor liner

It sounds like a long wait, but the oven will take a while and then there is the smoker and bbq too, so I doubt I will be complaining about the timing!