New build - 1.2M dome

[JRPizza]

We liked the look of the brick arches so we didn't add any insulation. Hopefully the heat break will keep the arch from bleeding heat away from the oven.

[jonv]

I have a whole sheet reserved for the door

[UtahBeehiver]

Save what you have left for your door. It will be a better use than on the chimney.

[jonv]

OK, thanks for that. I thought that might be the case.

I had intended to cover it all but somehow underestimated how much insulation the dome would take. I used the best part of four boxes (0.6M x 3.66M) leaving little for the chimney. I have a few small bits left and wondered about sticking on some of my calsil scrap to the flat surfaces. With that and the remaining blanket I could probably stick 2" on it.

And Happy Holidays to you too

[SableSprings]

I too am warming up to the surpentine. Like Russell, I would incorporate it in to any future build... .

Ditto for me on the smooth transition flow of the serpentine style smoke collection chamber into the flue...great job on this!

As to your question of insulation...You've got a thermal break around the oven entry (at least that's how I read it), so insulating out as far as the break is all that's needed (IMHO ). The outside vent arch and chimney will have a pretty good air flow through them during normal firings/operation and won't heat up anywhere near as much as the oven chamber itself. Heat shock of the outer arch and chimney bricks isn't a significant problem whether they are insulated or not. That's one of the main advantages of using firebricks and refractory mortar in the build...they can take the heat of repeated firing cycles with little to no damage!

Looking forward to the continuation of your work on this in 2017. Happy Holidays!

[jonv]

Silly question: I've put two layers (4" total) of blanket over the dome. What do I do with the vent arches / chimney stack?

I know it's not so much a case of retaining heat but presumably the bricks would prefer a little insulation to reduce the temperature differential?

Edit: I'll be doing an igloo style finish rather than a full enclosure if that makes any difference.

[jonv]

Thanks Bauldy

Do you still reckon on being up and running by the end of the year?

I will still have tons of work to do on the exterior of the job - my base isn't pretty brick like yours so it needs cladding with something. Then there's the landing area to do, brickwork around the chimney, decorative arch, render over the dome, and probably finish with brick slips. But that's a job for next year - a tarp over the dome and a temporary roof will have to do for a while. I want to use it a bit before I enclose it permanently in case any issues arise.

I can imagine the entire dome cracking up and the chimney collapsing - I've got issues in the head department

[Bauldy 2]

Well done boss you are doing a first rate job I'm waiting on polishing pads for granite so will do a bit to grill area got xmas shopping to do so may not get anything done this week but my bricks are cut and ready to go so about 3 full days should get me up to chimney height plus a day for decorative arch and a week to clear up like you I've bin angle grinding dust is everywhere.

[jonv]

Thanks chaps for the encouraging remarks

Pretty much got all my ideas from previous builds so I'm grateful for your build threads!

Without the tent I would have had to wait six months to build the dome so I'm glad we had it in the garage. It is truly filthy now though. Brick dust I understand, but how I managed to throw cement up the walls is a mystery A good jet wash should sort it out.

I just about managed to finish the rest of the chimney today - followed JR's approach. Unfortunately it was dark half way through the job and the switch on my work lamp broke. Recruited a couple of desk lamps which were barely enough. I think it's ok - hopefully no horrors when I see it in the daylight

The thick mortar joint at the top is there for the head of the bolts. If I did it again I'd just bore out the bricks below to clear the heads, but it should be fine. Nobody will ever see the chimney stack once the insulation is on there.

Tasks left: jam some rope in the thermal break, set the floor bricks in the vent area and the stainless strip across the threshold, and get the insulation on. Then a bodged up temporary roof and I'm ready to move the tent back and fire her up

[JRPizza]

Thanks! I got the idea for reversing the arch bricks for the vent from your build

An idea I also borrowed . That is one of the great things about this forum - people borrowing and sometimes improving on ideas from previous builds. If you go back in forum history you can see how the designs have evolved. I don't know if the new ones cook any better, but they (IMHO) look better and the documentation seems to be getting better.
Your brickwork is exemplary - in addition to your mortaring skills I think it benefited by the use of the forms you built. My serpentine arch was built freehand and I had nowhere near the joint control you did! I think you will find your chimney will draft very well - the upward curved edges seem to promote flow well and the transition to the vent plate makes an nice venturi to help get smoke up and out of your oven. The only time I get any smoke out the front is when I start a fire when it is windy, and if I pre-heat the vent well when I light the fire even that can be avoided.

[Gulf]

I too am warming up to the surpentine. Like Russell, I would incorporate it in to any future build. However, I would tie two rows together on bond before attaching an anchor plate. That's just me .

[danjmath]

That is beautiful. I need to bookmark all the things I plan on doing on my next build....here in 5-6 years.

[UtahBeehiver]

jon,

Build is turning out quite nice, top notch brick work and precision. Nice use of serpentine chimney vent. If I were to build another I would do this type of vent style as well. I knew when you put up the fancy tent that this was going to be a great build, LOL.

[jonv]

The main structure of the vent is now in place. I was relieved to get the forms out without too much trouble. The excess mortar came off reasonably well. There are a few spots that need a bit of pointing, but glad this bit is done

Now to see about fixing that anchor plate...

[jonv]

Good idea.