BenjaMia Bakehouse Project

[Ken524]

Re: BenjaMia Bakehouse Project

Well done!!! Love the stone work

[SpringJim]

Re: BenjaMia Bakehouse Project

The stones felt good going into place so I just let the mortar set a bit and then (gingerly) pulled out the form. (Seems like I read about Neill standing on his dome after his last keystone brick was set.....) But by doing this I could clean up the lower edge and get a good finish. I also added a layer of refractory mortar on the back of the sandstone.

Summer is good James, the twin grandchildren are walking now...fun to catch.
I need to get a picture of them in the oven before it get's fire up!

I'm about to start the loop boat trip....an upscale Huckelberry Finn journey...so that's going to be a new fun challenge too!

Enjoying every Pizza!
Jim

[james]

Re: BenjaMia Bakehouse Project

Way to go Jim. Very nice -- I like the natural, rustic look. And it held! I've had arches fall in, and it always feel great when the form comes out and the arch holds.

How's you summer going?

We have two weeks of family vacation left -- our girls go back to school after Labor Day.

James

[SpringJim]

Decorative Arch

The decorative arch was done with sandstone and backed with firebrick. The arch was done by initially setting the three blocks on either side of the arch, letting those set up before the top arch stones. The arch falsework was taken out about 15 minutes after the top 5 arch blocks were set...and it held!

The side details show the air intake vents that will be ducted to the outside.

Now to finish the vent and chimney.....

[SpringJim]

Re: BenjaMia Bakehouse Project

so, does this mean that if the great flood comes, our ovens will all rise and float to the top? At least the ones with perlite covers and bottoms???

Nope, I'm sure mine will be an anchor that can hold the Badger Ark in place!

[thebadger]

Re: BenjaMia Bakehouse Project

Elizabeth,

Don't say that, I was going to build an ark for my next project

So just how big is a cubit?

Dick

[egalecki]

Re: BenjaMia Bakehouse Project

so, does this mean that if the great flood comes, our ovens will all rise and float to the top? At least the ones with perlite covers and bottoms???

[SpringJim]

Perlite

I had to cut off some of the perlite stucco....so I threw a couple of pieces in a bucket ....it floats! even after 3 days!

[SpringJim]

Re: BenjaMia Bakehouse Project

Bought a cheap thermocouple unit for $10 that came with two high temp probes...we'll see how it goes!

Also set up a grease board in the bakehouse to track temps!

[Ken524]

Re: WFO Surgery

So I performed surgery on the patient before she cured....is it a she?

This was covered in a previous thread... I'm pretty sure it's a "she" (or a Sheila for the Down Under crowd)

George's detailed description of his oven a few months back without a doubt indicated a feminine quality (it's too hot for me to repost... you'll have to look it up!)

[SpringJim]

Outside Air for the Oven

I'm installing two air intake vents at the bottom sides of the entrance to the oven. They will be ducted to the outside of the bakehouse so that the oven will primarily use external air.

I will also be able to manually damper this intake air as needed. I am thinking about a chimney damper as well......I like maximum control!

I'm now thinking about a glass panel for the front.....outside air comes in on the sides, smoke goes up the chimney....I can watch the whole process through the glass panel....now to find a tempered glass door!

[SpringJim]

WFO Surgery

I forgot about my thermocouple tubes and covered them with firebrick and luckily only a little perlite...

So I performed surgery on the patient before she cured....is it a she?

Anyway, I was able to extract the firebricks (three rows!) from under the pile, expose the tubes and add some extensions before replacting most of the bricks and repairing the perlite stucco.

[SpringJim]

Final insulation layer....

Thanks guys....it's been fun and educational!

I finished the insulation layer with another bag and a half of perlite....now to let it cure while I figure out a chimney

....always something to work on.

but I cleaned up too!

[Inishta]

Re: closing in....

almost done the dome.....it's been interesting with the teardrop shape.

You've been a busy boy S Jim..........looking good........

The shape is similar to mine except ours transitioned to a dome finish.

PhotoPlog - Dome and Floor

[asudavew]

Re: BenjaMia Bakehouse Project

Looks just great, Jim!!

Indeed

Cure time!!

Dave