Castana Iowa Ridge Oven

[madmax224]

Re: Castana Iowa Ridge Oven

Now that we can use the guide above the entry arch we noticed there is a slight teardrop shape. Spent most of the day correcting this with a partial course to straighten it out so only got 1 course done Saturday. Wasn't happy with that so got started early Sunday and got a second one done. We went to 1/4 bricks to minimize the gaps at the bottom of the bricks which seemed to work and made it easier to get them to stay in place with the steep angle. Getting really close to closing it in, should only have 2 more courses then the keystone.

[splatgirl]

Re: Castana Iowa Ridge Oven

great pictures, and really nice work! You'll be cooking in it before you know it!

[madmax224]

Re: Castana Iowa Ridge Oven

Almost didn't get it closed in this weekend but we made it. It took 3 courses and the keystone. The blade we had wore out sooner than we thought so couldn't finish that night.

[madmax224]

Re: Castana Iowa Ridge Oven

The next morning we finished the last course and the keystone. Didn't have time to clean it up for the pictures but had enough time to keep the gaps to a minimum with a tight fit to lock it in place. We were able to use the guide clamp till now but the exercise ball worked really well.

[carloswlkr]

Re: Castana Iowa Ridge Oven

very nice work, indeed!

[Dino_Pizza]

Re: Castana Iowa Ridge Oven

Great Keystone! I love the interlocking around the square. Congratulations on closing it up. Nice oven, I guess it's time to let it rest a few days then start the curing fires. Have fun, Dino

[dbhansen]

Re: Castana Iowa Ridge Oven

Congrats! Nice work on the dome.

[madmax224]

Re: Castana Iowa Ridge Oven

Got a lot done over the long weekend. We were able to get 6 curing fires done over 4 days. Did one first thing in the morning and one before going to bed. Got the first fire to 130 degrees and the 2nd to 240. Otherwise we worked on the framing, concrete pad underneath for storing wood, and poured a slab to bring the landing to level for marble. Probably didn't have to reinforce the pad but couldn''t hurt.

[madmax224]

Re: Castana Iowa Ridge Oven

By the fourth fire got up to 530 degrees. Sunday got the wood pad done and the roof framed. Ran out of tar paper so couldn't finish it. Used cement board to house the vermiculite we will put in with a couple fire blankets once it's cured.

[madmax224]

Re: Castana Iowa Ridge Oven

Monday finished the last fire reaching about 640. Couldn't resist trying a piece of bacon and an egg. Didn't turn out to bad but wasn't hot enough. Also laid out the marble to get an idea of the best way to arrange it.

[bbq870]

Re: Castana Iowa Ridge Oven

hi madmax224

your oven is awesome. so many details, which are executed perfectly!!!

I have not much experience with the spherical shape ovens you guys build.
just one thing: over here (Germany) sometimes the ovens do not burn the wood properly because of lack of air (in the back-area)

that?s why we PLACE A HOLE in the backarea to control airflow. (size of a brick)
it turned out to be necessary for every oven.
no more problems with "poorly burning wood"

I just thought I tell you before you insulate the oven...
if you dare to make this revision you will not regret it


good luck with your oven madmax

bbq870

[madmax224]

Re: Castana Iowa Ridge Oven

It's been a long time but I finally got around to getting these finished pics posted. Even though it's been a long time I really wanted to make sure that I eventually did. We have been using the oven and learning over the past 3 years and have gotten pretty good at it. We started using rice flour and that made a huge difference. Since then we haven't had any problems and the pizzas have been amazing. The information and expertise that I found in this forum made this project go better than I ever expected. I had more fun building this oven than I've ever had doing any project. The oven looks just like it did the day it was built, no problems at all and it was all thanks to all the suggestions and ingenuity found here. Thank you! I can't wait for an excuse (and time) to build another!

[Laurentius]

Re: Castana Iowa Ridge Oven

Madmax, you are truly a man of faith. I love the simplicity of your stand, but with the earth-shakes we get here, it would be down in a New York minute.

[madmax224]

Re: Castana Iowa Ridge Oven

Yea we did that on purpose. We built this in a place that we may not stay as long as this oven will last so we designed it to be semi portable. It ended up being more stable than we planned for though. Eventually we will be cutting the legs and loading it onto a trailer to take to a more permanent location if need be.

[Dino_Pizza]

Re: Castana Iowa Ridge Oven

Congradulations Dave! Yes, it can take a long time to get completely finished and we appreciate the pictures of the finished oven.

Since you waited so long, I see by a few posts earlier that your oven had a "box" built around it without inulation yet while you were curing it. What did you end up doing? Vermiculite? Did you pull insulation around it somehow? just curious.

Also, I'm a big fan of rice flour too. It's frankly a godsend not to have to ever worry about how the pizza slides off something when there are so many other factors to keep to keep tabs on while making pizza. I just found out one of my favorite bread bloggers using rice flour in his brotforms and other baskets for rising breads before he bakes in his kitchen oven and I've started using it there too.

Nice looking oven, glad you're enjoying it.

-Dino