How small can an oven be?

[Corvid]

I am just beginning to think about building a pizza oven in our home, and I have a good place for it, but the challenge is the size--I only have a maximum footprint for the foundation of 3'-8" x 3'-0". Is it possible to build a oven with such a small space? And if so, what is the largest diameter cooking area I could have?

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: How small can an oven be?

Check out the free FB Pompeii oven plans on this site. Factor in the wall thickness, insulation, render/enclosure thickness and you're there. I'm pretty sure you don't want to go any smaller than 24" id.

[mklingles]

Re: How small can an oven be?

Do you have space for overhang beyond the foundation?

[Nic The Landscaper]

Re: How small can an oven be?

I would recommend one of FB's kits, because their cast refractory is thinner than firebrick, saving you a lot of space and providing similar results to a brick oven.

OR building a barrel vault oven to the FB specs (insulated, etc, etc) rather than a hemispherical oven will also yield you more floor space if the FB kits are out of your price range.

[Corvid]

Re: How small can an oven be?

Do you have space for overhang beyond the foundation?

Yes, I could extend an overhang a little ways out, perhaps 8-12 inches.

[azpizzanut]

Re: How small can an oven be?

Hi Corvid,

Can you post a photo of the oven area with some kind of scale or measurement so we can get an idea of the size oven that can be put there? Of course, the inside of the oven is where you cook but the outside is a much larger diameter due to the thickness of the bricks, insulation and covering/enclosure. Will it be inside the house or on a patio or out in the yard?

Cheers,

[Neil2]

Re: How small can an oven be?

If you can overhang (cantilever) 8 inches each side, you have plenty of room for a 34 to 36 incher. A very useful size.

[david s]

Re: How small can an oven be?

I cantilevered my supporting slab which is 3 ft x3 ft The stand is 23" x23" Oven is 21" int. Diam.