32" Oven Big enough?

[ralogan55]

Re: 32" Oven Big enough?

Boy, I'm impressed !! Thanks for the great photos. I think I'll use them in helping with my build. My foundation is excavated below grade also (due to topo isues) so that helped a lot.

[jbriggs]

Re: 32" Oven Big enough?

Nice to see another NC oven build. I am in Charlotte and planning ground breaking after the weather gets a little warmer ( and wife gets off my back about all the other things I need to do first!).

Keep us posted, look forward to seeing your build. I might just have to plan a trip to Asheville!

Jason

[david s]

Re: 32" Oven Big enough?

My oven is only 21" diam yet by removing the coals and maintaining a small fire on the side I can still fit 3 x 9" pizzas in. I only use this method if cooking for more than 30 people, usually, like everyone else I cook one pizza at a time. A smaller oven is way quicker and cheaper to build, uses less materials, takes up less sspace and weighs much less.

[ralogan55]

Re: 32" Oven Big enough?

Thanks for the tip. Yes, it looks like I may have to go smaller, but I still want to stay with a brick oven and a cost of under $1,000 if possible. It's the oven arch/vent area that's casuing me headaches. I guess I'll just have to place with some designs. I was considering a clay horno, but it's not brick.

[rosabuzard]

Re: 32" Oven Big enough?

I agree with you!

[wemme]

Re: 32" Oven Big enough?

has anyone done smaller ovens less than 32"?

[Tscarborough]

Re: 32" Oven Big enough?

Mine is a barrel vault, 22"W by 36"L, and I anticipate putting at least 2 12" pies in at a time. Nothing is too big or too small; it can only be wrong for your needs.

[david s]

Re: 32" Oven Big enough?

Mine is 540 mm (21") and is ideal for us. It is the way you manage the space that is the key. We cook one pizza at a time, most do this anyway, it is the preparation that takes the time. We can cook three 9" pizzas at a time if feeding a big crowd. We usually finish by cooking a loaf or two of bread. The advantages of a small oven outweigh its limitations in my view, less materials, cheaper and less time consuming to build, takes up less space, lower fuel consumption, lighter and therefore no massive foundaations.

[wemme]

Re: 32" Oven Big enough?

@David S
Does the 21" have enough thermal mass for a roast?

[david s]

Re: 32" Oven Big enough?

Yes, We use it to do roasts a lot. Oven wall thickness 2 1/2 " floor thickness the same.

[wemme]

Re: 32" Oven Big enough?

Did you make the dome from castable or Firebrick.

[david s]

Re: 32" Oven Big enough?

I used castable for both the dome and floor.

[jpmort]

Re: 32" Oven Big enough?

david s - why does almost everyone I talk to say that I 30'' is the minimum size, and you are happy with your 21''? Do you have a technique that others don't know, hehe


John

[david s]

Re: 32" Oven Big enough?

The tradition of a large oven goes way back when it would be used for large families. How big is your normal kitchen oven? Therefore why would you want your outdoor oven larger? I have cooked pizzas for a party of 80 and we cooked 70 9" pizzas (3 at a time) in my little oven. I did refire it once, which took out about 25 mins of cooking time. Generally I'm quite comfortable to cook for a crowd of up to 30. I usually take out about 2/3 of the coals and maintain a fire on the side. Because space is limited I made a cradle for this side fire from 2" wide thin stainless bent and joined in the shape of a D The curved part of the D sit against the side oven wall and leaves enough room for cooking. I half fill the cradle with coals, blow the ah away from the floor and throw finger sized sticks into the cradle to maintain flame. I usually only cook one pizza at a time. It is the preparation of the pizzas which takes the time not the cooking. Always try to have another pizza ready to go in, so you are cooking constantly.

[wemme]

Re: 32" Oven Big enough?

I have seen more designs around 21-23 inch size so don't feel were picking on you for having a wee one David were just interested in what you have done and contemplating a similar design. Thanks for sharing your experience and build details.

What size is the door way in your oven?

Regards
Bart