Hi, new Aussie

[Vicbrickie]

Hi, I live in australia and am fairly new to the wfo world. and even newer to online forums (first post ever)! Am half way through my oven it is 1M internal diameter dome with a polished concrete bench in front and a pit to dump ash and coal / spit pit down one side.

[Lburou]

Welcome!

We're dying to see your work, try posting a picture or two.

This, is a link to a thread explaining how to post the pictures

[benguilford]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

Hi VicBrickie!

I join you in your newness. I have been reading these forums for some time, and I too am halfway through my build (36" Pompei). I look forward to following your progress! Thanks for helping me pluck up the courage to make my very first post. Now, enough about me, lets see some photos of what you're building!

[brickie in oz]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

Yeah we want pics....

[Johnny the oven man]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

Hi, I live in australia and am fairly new to the wfo world. and even newer to online forums (first post ever)! Am half way through my oven it is 1M internal diameter dome with a polished concrete bench in front and a pit to dump ash and coal / spit pit down one side.

Give me a call at Refractory Supplies if you are after any materials. 0451470371

[Vicbrickie]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

sorry guys been busy with other things but will try get some pics up asap

[Vicbrickie]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

so i just finnished the dome of my oven got some pics for you guys hope they work never done it before!

[brickie in oz]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

I cant see in the pic but what did you use for the under floor insulation?

[Vicbrickie]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

vermiculite / cement screed only about 65mm would have liked to have had a bit more but got a bit difficult trying to keep the bench flush with oven floor height without the step in it being too extreme

[brickie in oz]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

65mm may be a bit thin, time will tell, are you going to put a chimney on it?

[Vicbrickie]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

yeah i think bit thin too.fingers crossed! planning on another arch in front with vent and small chimney. bricking up the sides and enclosing the whole thing. walls will add some support for sides of arch carying the load of the chimney

[david s]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

Nice work. Your 65mm of vermicrete should be ok provided you didn't go richer than 5:1 (more cement = poorer insulation). The vermicrete takes up tons of water, so if you didn't dry it out well before putting the floor over it, then water removal via curing will take some time. Melb. weather at this time of year is not great drying weather.I really like the Romanesque style arch, hope you build a larger one in the same style for your outer decorative arch.
Dave

[Vicbrickie]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

cheers dave. i did use a 5:1 ratio for the "vermicrete" and it sure did use up tons of water. i've now covered the whole thing in plastic to keep any moisture / rain out and plan to leave it to cure for a week maybe two. then some tiny fires to dry it totaly i think. I do plan on a 230x230 gothic elipse arch (same style) in front of the one there already with a vent opening and small chimney on top. ill post some pics as it goes up

[Vicbrickie]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

so ive started curing the oven and it has some cracking. nothing so bad that i think it is going to collapse but it will obviously let some heat out. Can anyone let me know what is an acceptable amount of cracking? have others also had similar issues and how have they affected your oven?
Thanks.

[brickie in oz]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

They all crack, and all still work too.

The blanket and vermiculite will keep any small amount of heat from getting away.