36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

[Bec1208]

Well the build is underway. I ended up having the foundation laid out and poured by a concrete company along with a pad to park my van and some repair of the driveway. It turned out to be a good choice as there was no way I could have physically handled the task or have done nearly as good a job. I decided to take advice received in a previous thread and filled in the walls with additional cinderblock topped by 4 layers of cement board. I used surface bonding cement on the inside surface of the outer wall and plan to to the same to the outside once the angle iron is placed to span the front opening (every 8"). The angle iron had to be ordered and should be delivered tomorrow. Once the hearth is finished, I expect to be asking for lots of advice as I set out the final layout and actually begin work on the dome. Thanks again for all your help so far. I am attaching a few pics of my work so far.

[Bec1208]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

The cinderblock caught up to me and I hit the wall physically a few days ago. Just as well the angle iron didn't get delivered,until yesterday. I primed and painted the angle iron and notched the cinderblock. Don't have the energy to work on spreading the surface bonding concrete. Part of polio/post polio is the fatiguability of muscles and lack endurance. I'm happy with my progress so far.

Bruce

[cobblerdave]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Gudday
You definitely been busy! I'd be pretty tired too ... Moving block you think ha this is not to bad , but only for the first 5 . Take your time your suppose to enjoy the journey not just the destination. Great work man!
Regards dave

[Bec1208]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Dave, thanks for the encouragement. I am trying to pace myself and today will try and cover the blocks in the storage area with the surface bonding cement. I was going to cover each layer of the cement board as well, but am now thinking it will be easier to simply use screws. Looking forward to actually starting on the oven. Thanks again.

[Bec1208]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Took a.m. to make some bread and pizzas. Hope to get some work done on the oven this afternoon.

[cobblerdave]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Gudday
Cool! Now I know where the obsession started !!!!
What are you plans for you oven build . Now I know it's a 36in build but you plans for insulation chimney cover etc? Are they firm yet.
Regards dave

[Bec1208]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Thanks Dave,
Plans beyond the dome are not fixed. I brought back CF board and blanket from Jacksonville (about 150 miles/244 km) a few weeks ago. I have enough board for 4"/10 cm under the floor. The only firebrick available locally is the Whitacre-Greer light duty.

At this point I am considering a 18" x 12" (46 x 30cm) rectangular entry, mostly to make the insulated door easier to fabricate. Current plan is to finish the oven as an igloo. I am wide open to suggestions, especially regarding vent and chimney.

At what point in the build do outer entry, vent, and chimney need to be finalized?
Bruce

[Bec1208]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Productive day. Worked on the stand and fastened the layers of cement board together.

[cobblerdave]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Gudday Bruce
Productive it is! What are you plans for the door I noted that you planning to built a door and that I'd influence by a rectangular opening?
Your plans also for the transition and chimney are going to influence your set back from the front as well. So it would be well to think of them now. My quess at this stage is that it should be shorter rather than deep.
And yes I did notice that you have made to stand hieght to suit your chair!
Regards dave

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Way to go Bruce,

Been following you build closely and admire you getting in there getting your hands dirty. Not bad looking bread and pizzas from a BBQ? Be sure to ask alot of questions from the forum on your propose square entry. There are some issues mixing angle iron and brick due to thermal expansion differences. I did an arch so I am no expert here so ask the guys and gals on the board. Good Luck.

[Bec1208]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Russell,
I appreciate your interest and have admired your attention to detail in your build. Actually the pizzas were cooked in our oven an a stone. I have been baking bread for the past 20 years or so and would do the occasional pizza with so so results. Over the past year I have been focused on improving my pizza making chops and somewhere along the process I ran across this website. I became intrigued by the idea of building my own oven. I feel like I've jumped into the deep end on this and am depending on the the advice and feedback on this forum.

[SableSprings]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Be sure to ask alot of questions from the forum on your propose square entry. There are some issues mixing angle iron and brick due to thermal expansion differences. I did an arch so I am no expert here so ask the guys and gals on the board. Good Luck.

Welcome aboard the fun wagon Bruce! As Russell (UtahBeehiver) noted, the metal expansion is an issue when you incorporate it into the "heated portion" of the build-since the bricks won't expand nearly as much when heated. I used a square entry for my oven and simply put angle iron across the top of the entry, making sure there was a 1/2" expansion gap (empty space) for the metal on each side. I did not attach the angle iron to anything, it just rests on the side firebricks. Note on the second picture that the bricks immediately above the angle iron simply rest there...again we did not use any mortar to try and secure the bricks to the metal. This way as I heat my oven the metal can expand freely (without taking any of my bricks with it). I've been using the oven weekly for over three years now without any problems.

[Bec1208]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Dave,
Thanks for the feedback and support. As you may have guessed, I tend to jump in and work things out as I go along. Looks like I need to slow down and work out some details. In terms of the door, I was thinking of using a 18x12 inch heavy gauge roasting pan filled with 2 layers of cf board. Sounds like consensus is that an arch is preferred. While most of the builds documented here seem to use the arch design, I can't recall seeing angle iron builds having problems (other than rust). Looks liked I missed something. I will probably pick up a load of fire brick tomorrow and see what chimney supplies they carry. I was also thinking of having a 12 inch self across the front. Thanks agains, Bruce.

[Bec1208]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Mike,
Thanks for the info. Looked at your photos, great build and fantastic bread. The Asiago Loaves look amazing. Hope you keep sharing your expertise and maybe a recipe or two. Bruce

[cobblerdave]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Gudday Bruce
As you have probably noticed I have a rectangular entrance . Yep real old school. No I have no great cracks frm expansion yes there are cracks in the mortar but no biggies. Yes I have rust but to date no probs even though I am a km off the coast. One day the rust will present probs I have alway suspected but I expected that when I built it so I will solve that then....
Notice I did finally mastered building a arch entrance and have retro fitted one on the front of my oven. I just like the look ... Never did like a square front on a dome. And I like being able to pull of building that arch ... My bricklayer skills are not that good!
My door is hebel... Airated concrete block, carved to suit the irregular shape faced with wood.i like it and it works.
One other thing to mention a flat top on my entrance influenced me to make a wide brick chimney. An arch brings the smoke to the middle of the entrance and is I think more suitable for a steel pipe chimney and probable less depth of the oven entrance from the front of the slab.
Anyway here's my experience ... I hope it gives you some ideas
Regards dave