Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

[james]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

One of the things I like about FB is that you get to learn new things and compare different approaches to similar situations. We've decide to frame the fireplace with concrete blocks and the oven with metal studs. Side by side. It's a good learning experience. I cut a lot of metal studs today, and I'm proud to say that I did not cut the heck out of my hands.

Both enclosures are going to be hipped roofs, covered with stucco. The wood stores and openings are going to be cut limestone -- including the limestone we salvaged from the ugly fireplace that was here when we got the house.

It's funny. This is the part of the project where you start getting nervous about the design aspect of the kitchen and hoping its all going to look good (as well as work well). Interesting.

James

[gjbingham]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

I've got a similar situation on the left side of my oven that you have on your right. I have the house close by and have limited space for a counter there. I was just looking at it again today and I think I will just skip that counter. If I could go bigger, I would. The hearth of the oven pretty much blocks access to that space, at least in my case. A couple more feet of counter to the right, in your case, would make that area much more useable.

[james]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

Slowly, but surely we are making progress. We poured the counters, set the fireplace walls and the oven vent, and set the backsplash. I am starting to be able to visualize actually making pizza here!

On downside, I think the little counter to the right of the oven is too short, and we may need to extend it.

We'll get there,
James

[carioca]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

OK. Why is it called a toe kick?
James

you kick it when you're frustrated?

[james]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

Hey Chris,

There are a lot of way to build outdoor cabinets and counters, but our block and concrete slab construction wasn't too difficult. Heavy yes, but the materials are not very expensive and it went up quickly.

I also like the idea that it is solid and will never warp or change sitting out in the rain.

James

[christo]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

Thanks JW. you just answered a quesiton for me.

looks like concrete counter tops are on tap before my final stucco coat.

BTW - I have plywood with black plastic stapled on it as winter countertops.

christo

[jwnorris]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

<snip> I am leaning toward a curved counter that falls into the front of the oven -- to match the curved landing in front of the oven. <snip> James

The one thing that I forgot to do when building my outdoor kitchen is this - complete the counter before you put the final coat of stucco [or whatever] on the dome. This way you can bring the finish coat down on top of the counter and avoid a lot of complicated cuts in your slate.

It is not as important when building a house style enclosure - as it has straighter angles.

Looking good ...

J W

[james]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

No, I'm using the camera. :-) But I think my Avatar looks pretty good.
James

[gjbingham]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

You're not telling me that's your backside in the pic? Cute butt!

[james]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

Awwwwww. I cut the blocks and the forms, mixed the concrete, set blocks, and tied the wire. You should see my laundry. :-)

Still, it's true that as an aging guy, having help can be a good thing. I'm reaching that age where it's more difficult to do everything alone. In my relative youth, I used to do it all by myself (and I did this oven solo) -- but there comes a time...

On a more serious note, there are many ways to build an oven or an outdoor kitchen, and picking your style is half the fun.
James

[gjbingham]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

The crew works fast, huh? Somehow, my penny-pinching fingers won't let me spend bucks to pay others for what I can do myself. Its temping sometimes, especially after watching your guys fly through the work. Anyway, its fun watching it come together. Thanks for the pics reavealing the life of the "boss".

[james]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

Here's where we finished the day. We formed and poured the toe kick, set the walls, framed an opening for a shelf, and formed the countertop. I am leaning toward a curved counter that falls into the front of the oven -- to match the curved landing in front of the oven.

Tomorrow we should pour the counter, set the Artigiano vent and start framing the walls. We'll see.

James

[james]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

OK. Why is it called a toe kick?
James

[gjbingham]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

Cool! It should turn out really nice, though I'm lost on the toe kick. I hate it when I kick my toes!

[james]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

We've decided to make the outdoor kitchen cabinets out of block, and finalized a few items. There will be a backsplash, a toe kick, solid concrete under the counters, and we are using slate tile for the counter tops. The slate matches the porch behind the kitchen. The counters will be 36" high and 24" deep, just like an in-door kitchen. The backsplash will probably be 8"x8". Enough to stop me from shooting food off the back end.

We did not have a toe kick at our Healdsburg house, and I always thought you could feel it when you were making lots of pizza.

Here is the back wall that connects the oven and fireplace. More to come.
James