Hi, new Aussie

[Lburou]

Finished concrete

Looking good!

I like the finished concrete. The way you did it will be striking to see when you have those pizza parties.

[Vicbrickie]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

yeah thanks coblerdave. the vermiculite i have used so far came in 100lt bags for around $30 a bag plus delivery. it seems reasonable. my problem is not so much what they are charging but my own budget. Except for cement, vermiculite and some bits and pieces all my matierials have been left overs or basicly scrap.

I was hoping maybe i could use some sort of building product as a loose fill as i have access to left over just about everything to build a house.
Maybe cieling batts? does anyone know if they would be suitable? toxic?

[cobblerdave]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

Dear Vicbrickie

Know where you coming from when you say the pearlites expensive when your only supply is those pissy little 10 ltre bags from the local hardware/garden supplies. It influenced me buying ceramic blanket at $140 odd bucks which gave me 50 mm (2in) cover except for the bottom 100mm (4 in). I have since found Hydroponics supplier in local area that sells 100 ltr for $36 bucks. Now thats cheap concidering 100 ltrs is 1 Mtr2 0f material. Its worth getting some shipped to yourself.

Regards Coblerdave

[Vicbrickie]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

didnt use blanket cant afford it was hoping for something cheaper than vermiculite but may just have to save for a bit. thanks for the tip bout the sand

[brickie in oz]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

Dont use sand, sand adds thermal mass and will not insulate.
Get some vermiculite its around $30 for a 100 litre bag.

Did you use some ceramic blanket over the top of the oven first?

[Vicbrickie]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

pics of vermiculite insulation.


I'will be building a brick enclosure now and plan on a loose fill insulation. can anyone suggest a cheapish matierial to use?
A friend suggested sand would this be ok? if so what kind of sand?

[david s]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

Suggest you read the thread on oven curing and follow the guidelines.

[Vicbrickie]

Re: Hi, new Aussie

thanks thats what i was hoping to hear

[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.

[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.

[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

[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

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

[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

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