Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

[Xabia Jim]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

I thought my grill hearth was definately lower than the oven since you work over a grill and work into the oven. I just checked and my grill base was about 9 inches lower than the oven hearth. But I have a gas grill that I use in that space that brings the grill up to the same level as my WFO hearth.

(Brings up a hearth height question that I'll post separately)

...is higher better than too low?

it's hard to lower it later...but you can always wear high heeled shoes

[james]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

It will end up 3 1/2" higher, with the hearth poured on top of the block stand. This part is feeling a lot like the oven installation. I think it will be high enough for wood/charcoal grilling. I think we are going to pass on the gas grill. It's all wood for me.

We have decided to use the angle iron stand, with the blocks turned in at the front. It's a different look from the oven, and hopefully the contrast will look good. We're going to stack and pour today or tomorrow.

James

[gjbingham]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

If it were me, I'd still raise the whole shootin' match a few inches on a slab or 1 inch or so concrete blocks (or whatever width they really are). I think "framing" the oven and firewood openings with hand painted Italian tile would be really awesome. Otherwise, I think it's going to be a great setup.

[Inishta]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

The fireplace height is fine like that IMHO. High enough to cook on comfortably and great for radiated heat for the gathered throng. I dont think that it will matter what the design difference is at this stage. When it comes to the finish you can tie them both in. The juxtaposition of high heat from the oven and lower from the fire will be great when it comes to an evening cook-out.

[james]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

Here is a trial layout for the fireplace. This option is three blocks high, and the top course set on angle iron, and the hearth poured on that.

Is it high enough?

The pizza oven stand does not use the angle iron course, and does it look strange with the two stands not matching? Maybe I should use the same design for both.

The plan is to leave an 8" hearth in front and on the sides of the fireplace.

Comments? Ideas? Help!

James

[gjbingham]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

James,
Funny, I was thinking of mentioning the same thing by PM. Why advertise Caputo flour with your T-shirt giveaways? I'd rather have a FB T-shirt when I earn it. Or put them up for sale in the store. The little guy on the logo is definitely cool. I love all the pics on your homepage. Somehow I envisioned the shirt like that. I'm certainly not going to tell you how to run your shop. I'm pretty sure it will be cool.

Re: the opening under your oven, I think it would look great filled to the gills with a nice selection of wood that you never use. I think it would add to the charm, even if its not very functional. You could always swap out wood as necessary when it starts looking funky. Kind of a framed picture.

[james]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

Here's a question. If we go up three course of block (24") for the hearth of the fireplace, would you make the base solid, or would you frame in a small opening for wood storage. It would be a lot shorter than the oven wood store. Would it look good? Be functional?

What do you think?
James

George, I've been thinking of starting to print FB T-Shirts. The little guy with the wood oven in our logo is pretty cool. :-)

[gjbingham]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

Nice oven James. Looks like you knew what you were doing

Congrats on reaching the 2700 posts level. I think you get a T-shirt for that!

[Xabia Jim]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

James, that looks close enough to cook something.

Well back home it's cold and piling up with snow....makes me shiver to think about it...sorry Ed! My daughter (teacher with the new twins) has already had a number of snow days.

It's an amazing contrast here, usually in the 60's with some sun most days. It's hot in the sun and cold without it. Particularly when you live in a concrete house. But with the flowers and almond trees in bloom, it makes you wonder why people live in the north snow country.

Jim

[james]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

Hey Jim,
How is the weather is beautiful Xabia? It's sunny and should reach the 60's here, which isn't too bad for Feb. I always remember the winter sun on the Costa Blanca.

My pile of CMU's isn't worthy of a photo yet, but we'll get there some time this week.

Here is how far we've reach with the oven.

More to come!
James

[Xabia Jim]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

O master of the ovens, where are the pictures?

[james]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

Good input. Thanks. I am thinking of doing the arched brick opening into the fireplace. It will match the pizza oven that way.

I've started laying out sample designs using CMUs. That's the easiest way for me to work -- I like seeing this in the physical world. We've met builders and designers on this project who can "see" a complete design in their head, or in a layout program; not me.

James

[Inishta]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

Hi carioca, we don't have a rotisserie/spit set-up for the fireplace. We do leg of lamb in the WFO and this year I intend to try roasting a full lamb in mine.

[carioca]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

Hello Inishta,

like the bar fireplace! Reminds me of the one at the Poisson d'Or at a small airport near Paris, where we grilled gigot a la ficelle on a revolving spit in the fireplace...

Great stuff - do you do that, too?

Cheers,

LMH

[Inishta]

Re: Time to finish the oven; add fireplace

Hi James...............a fireplace to grill on is a great idea. The first photograph is of the bar at my friends place that we use to barbeque in winter. The fireplace is used to cook all manner of meals (in conjunction with his WFO). The second photo I have put up to show an interesting arrangement for his barbeque outside the same building. It shares the chimney with the fireplace.