Hello- new guy here,
I found this website in a google search for "build an outdoor oven", and so far I love what I see.
2 winters ago I installed a wood burning insert into our fireplace opening- and have been hooked in using wood as fuel ever since. I am very lucky that the area I live in has lots of hardwood trees. I never cut down a tree just to burn it- I feel that would be a waste. All of the wood I burn comes from trees that were removed because of a hazard, diseased, struck by lightning- or some other damage. Most of these trees are cut down by the city street department, and they usually just cut them into 2 foot chunks or so- and leave the by the curb for one of their trucks to pick up. Since the wood is of no use to a sawmill when cut that short, I figure the best use is now firewood. I burn responsibly- I never burn unseasoned wood that would generate a lot of smoke and pollution. I always load the firebox for short, hot fires- and it always burns clean.
This past summer I have taken an interest in outdoor cooking. I have always enjoyed the occasional casual cook out, but I wanted to do something more- and for several reasons. I was tired of wasting energy heating up the house with the oven and stove, just to use more energy to try and cool it off at the same time. Also, I found that I could get some really great tasting foods using wood as a heat source vs. a gas oven and stove top. But mostly- I found it enjoyable. I am a purist of sorts, and this style of cooking just seems like the way it should be done.
The style of outdoor oven I originaly had in mind is something that would allow me to cook breads, meats- use some cast iron cookwear, maybe make soups and chilie or Paella. I know nothing about construction and the difference between different types of ovens- so it may be that not one oven will suit all these needs, but from what I've read so far- I think I have found the right place to learn
Thanks for all the good info!
I found this website in a google search for "build an outdoor oven", and so far I love what I see.
2 winters ago I installed a wood burning insert into our fireplace opening- and have been hooked in using wood as fuel ever since. I am very lucky that the area I live in has lots of hardwood trees. I never cut down a tree just to burn it- I feel that would be a waste. All of the wood I burn comes from trees that were removed because of a hazard, diseased, struck by lightning- or some other damage. Most of these trees are cut down by the city street department, and they usually just cut them into 2 foot chunks or so- and leave the by the curb for one of their trucks to pick up. Since the wood is of no use to a sawmill when cut that short, I figure the best use is now firewood. I burn responsibly- I never burn unseasoned wood that would generate a lot of smoke and pollution. I always load the firebox for short, hot fires- and it always burns clean.
This past summer I have taken an interest in outdoor cooking. I have always enjoyed the occasional casual cook out, but I wanted to do something more- and for several reasons. I was tired of wasting energy heating up the house with the oven and stove, just to use more energy to try and cool it off at the same time. Also, I found that I could get some really great tasting foods using wood as a heat source vs. a gas oven and stove top. But mostly- I found it enjoyable. I am a purist of sorts, and this style of cooking just seems like the way it should be done.
The style of outdoor oven I originaly had in mind is something that would allow me to cook breads, meats- use some cast iron cookwear, maybe make soups and chilie or Paella. I know nothing about construction and the difference between different types of ovens- so it may be that not one oven will suit all these needs, but from what I've read so far- I think I have found the right place to learn
Thanks for all the good info!





and you WILL build an oven sooner or later!!!!
If you have the space for one, there is no doubt in our (forum members) minds!
) AND, the food tastes awesome!
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