Salv's WFO Build

[Salv B]

Re: Salv's WFO Build

I am finally back from holidays and to my relief the oven is still standing and in one piece

I have started the curing fires and all is going well so far. I am up to the fourth day. I dont have an IR Gun so I am following the guide in the forno bravo plan re number of sticks. I must say it is great fun doing the fires and being mesmerised by the flames. My kids think I'm nuts! Cant wait to cook in it. Will post some pics once I get them off the digital and onto the computer.

Cheers

Salv

[Salv B]

Re: Salv's WFO Build

what was that old joke - you know it is summer in Adelaide when the premium car parks in shopping centres are not those nearest to the shops but those in the shade.

Salv

[Himzo]

Re: Salv's WFO Build

Pffft...It's only one day.

When it get's like it did last March then it's hot. That's when Adelaide set a capital city record of 15 consecutive days above 35?C in Australia. I believe most of those were above 38?C .
Then you find out that car seat belts can be good branding irons & you learn to drive with only two fingers on the steering wheel..

H.

[gjbingham]

Re: Salv's WFO Build

41 degrees C? Your oven may cure before you get back. Way too hot for my blood. Hope your trip includes some beach time.

Onya.

[Salv B]

Re: Salv's WFO Build

Well done Salv

The final few courses certainly look the most challenging

I have not got to this stage yet but continually thinking of which way will be the best to keep those final bricks in place.

Thanks Mike. My oven definitely fits into the rustic category and I was happy with how it turned out. I was going to use a Bob the Builder beach ball to do the final bricks but the sticks worked very well - just make sure thay are cut just a few centimetres longer than the radius of the dome.
I had a look at your build and its looking great so far - those tapered bricks look so neat and tidy.

Cheers

Salv

[Salv B]

Re: Salv's WFO Build

Salv,
Nice build. You and your dad did a great job. Look forward to hearing about your curing and first pizza trials and tribulations. Great pizza is close at hand. Don't rush your cure.
G.

Thanks for the kind words. I will definitely post the details of curing etc..when I get to it. I was keen to get to the completed dome and vent arch because I am going interstate with the kids for week on summer holidays. I figure this will give the oven enough time to dry out (especially during our hot Adelaide summer - tomorrows forecast is 41 degrees celsius). I will then do the curing fires.

BTW I read through your build when I was researching - great oven and a lot of excellent description.

Cheers

Salv

[Himzo]

Re: Salv's WFO Build

Hi Himzo,

I got my firebricks from a place in Allenby Gardens called Avero. The phone number is 8340 4454. The guys name is Frank Cavallaro. He is very friendly and helpful. I paid $3.65 plus GST for the bricks. But I got in just before the global financial crisis hit and the exchange rate took a dive. He imports the bricks and the ones I got all had nice straight edges. I also got most of my other supplies from him (such as vermiculite, mortar and ceramic blanket) and he priced the bricks on the basis that I was buying other suff from him. The other supplies werent quite as cheap as Thermal Ceramics but they were pretty close. It's worth giving him a call and letting him know what you need. He is familiar with the forno bravo pompei oven plans and will prepare you a detailed qoute based on the plans. If you want further details send me a PM with any questions or your phone number and I will be glad to have a chat.

Salv

Thanks for that, I've stored the number.

I'm not ready to build yet, but do like the look of those big fire bricks for the floor. Looks so much simpler to keep everything flat (fewer ridges) and clean (fewer gaps between bricks). I might head in this direction as well when I get around to building.

I'm still a way off as we need to look at rebuilding our house and the position of the oven(s) will depend on the final house design and position.

Himzo.

[MumsOven]

Re: Salv's WFO Build

Well done Salv

The final few courses certainly look the most challenging

I have not got to this stage yet but continually thinking of which way will be the best to keep those final bricks in place.

[gjbingham]

Re: Salv's WFO Build

Salv,
Nice build. You and your dad did a great job. Look forward to hearing about your curing and first pizza trials and tribulations. Great pizza is close at hand. Don't rush your cure.
G.

[Salv B]

Re: Salv's WFO Build

I had another productive day and was able to finish off the dome and the vent arches. It was a great feeling to finally finish the dome. As gravity took over on the higher courses I ended up using sticks to hold the brick in place and this worked quite well. I didn't cut my bricks into thirds so it is quit a rustic finish but as long as it cooks the pizzas in 3 minutes I will be happy

I must say when we got to the keystone we made sure it was knocked in nice and tight with a number of hits but I didn't go to the point of huge blows to get it in. My Dad is building the oven with me and he was too concerned about knocking everything and moving mortar joints. Hopefully it holds together.

Next stage - curing and insulation.

cheers

Salv

[Salv B]

Re: Salv's WFO Build

Nice!

BTW can I ask where you got your firebricks from?

Himzo.

Hi Himzo,

I got my firebricks from a place in Allenby Gardens called Avero. The phone number is 8340 4454. The guys name is Frank Cavallaro. He is very friendly and helpful. I paid $3.65 plus GST for the bricks. But I got in just before the global financial crisis hit and the exchange rate took a dive. He imports the bricks and the ones I got all had nice straight edges. I also got most of my other supplies from him (such as vermiculite, mortar and ceramic blanket) and he priced the bricks on the basis that I was buying other suff from him. The other supplies werent quite as cheap as Thermal Ceramics but they were pretty close. It's worth giving him a call and letting him know what you need. He is familiar with the forno bravo pompei oven plans and will prepare you a detailed qoute based on the plans. If you want further details send me a PM with any questions or your phone number and I will be glad to have a chat.

Salv

[Salv B]

Re: Salv's WFO Build

If the inverted V gets too big, you can switch to using 1/3 bricks. That takes it back to a smaller V for a while.

I was continually amazed during my whole build each morning when I went outside and it was still standing. Ovens seem very forgiving!

Hi Elizabeth,

I ended up sticking with half bricks and concocting a rather rustic finish up to the keystone. I just had enough of the angle grinder. I was working at the back of my garden and still dust found it's way into a number of rooms of the house!

Very funny - I am checking the arches first thing every morning, particularly the vent arch

cheers

Salv

[Salv B]

Re: Salv's WFO Build

It's looking excellent Salv, not long till your first pizza now!

Thanks Tim,

I now know the feeling - I am itching to get that first pizza in. I have now completed the dome and vent arch (I will post some pics today at some stage) and trying to work out when to cure. I am thinking of letting everything dry out for a week and then curing before I put any insulation on. Does this make sense?

cheers

Salv

[Himzo]

Re: Salv's WFO Build

Hi Himzo,

I make a very rustic red wine with with my father every year though

cheers

Salv

Nice!

BTW can I ask where you got your firebricks from?

Himzo.

[egalecki]

Re: Salv's WFO Build

If the inverted V gets too big, you can switch to using 1/3 bricks. That takes it back to a smaller V for a while.

I was continually amazed during my whole build each morning when I went outside and it was still standing. Ovens seem very forgiving!