32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

[pfennigthecat]

Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

Tscar sold me a bunch o bricks, yay! And my minivan didnt break :-)

[pfennigthecat]

Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

I think from looking at the original sketch up rendering the counter is on the back side of the oven with what appears to be a gas or charcoal grill in the counter space. But I could be wrong.

Chip

Chip's right -- the oven opens on the other side from the counter. Otherwise I would indeed need a LOOOOONG peel ! Pizza prep will happen on the big deep counter in the pic, then will be carried around to the other side where the pizza chef will be working with a much shorter peel

[mrchipster]

Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

Well, apparently I can't figure out how to include non-inline pictures

Go to advanced and used the paperclip to attach non inline photos.

[mrchipster]

Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

You are going to play hell working the oven with that much counter in front of the oven. Other than that, it looks good. You can make a slurry to fill all those bugholes.

I think from looking at the original sketch up rendering the counter is on the back side of the oven with what appears to be a gas or charcoal grill in the counter space. But I could be wrong.

Chip

[Tscarborough]

Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

You are going to play hell working the oven with that much counter in front of the oven. Other than that, it looks good. You can make a slurry to fill all those bugholes.

[pfennigthecat]

Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

Well, apparently I can't figure out how to include non-inline pictures

[pfennigthecat]

Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

I did counter tops yesterday, but didn't do the counter on top of the vermiculite yet. I think I need to have my firebrick floor placed first so I can make sure the countertop is the same height as the firebrick (don't want a lip) and so I can make sure the countertop transitions smoothly to the firebrick under the arch (don't want a gap). I also would have been short on countertop mix anyway -- I thought I ordered enough (12 bags) but I only have two left after doing all the other countertops. I probably need 3 more, will order 4 to be safe. It's ~$13 / bag so not super cheap but in the grand scheme of things having leftovers won't hurt.

But ugh I'm not looking forward to doing concrete again! Building the forms for the countertops was hard enough; I'm of the "measure 10 times, pour concrete once" school of thought, so I took several hours on the forms. Then I did 10 bags of 80# mix... now I know why I didn't major in masonry in college. It was a death march to the finish, and i put in the last of it at about 9pm saturday night. Then had to clean everything up. This was the hardest day of the build by far. It was about the same amount of concrete that went into the oven floor slab, but much more work as the forms and handling were much more complex.

To all you future builders: Have a helper! Or pay someone to do countertops for you, especially if doing a full kitchen and not just a WFO.


The last bit of counter I did (at 9pm, exhausted) didn't finish up too well, the part right behind the vermiculite slab. I was beat, probably short about two cups of concrete, and couldn't easily scrape a long 2x4 across that area either due to geometry. I'm going to mix up some mud to fill in voids in the edges, will probably try some there also. The rest of it looks fantastic, and the holes where the 4x4 rough cedar posts for pergola/roof will go seem perfect.

Doing pics non-inline this time -- I think the other way takes too much space, sorry about that.

[pfennigthecat]

Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

Thanks moT!

I already have a 10" wet saw that I got from harbor freight years ago, one of my better purchases. Used it for multiple jobs, wouldn't part with it :-). I'm planning on using it for the dome bricks, but if for some reason 10" won't cut it (literally) I'll keep your offer in mind.

Took the forms off today, planning on making new forms for concrete counter tops, but my vermicrete layer still seems too wet and very crumbly :-(. I posted a question about this here: http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f28/...tml#post152369

Hopefully will get some responses there. Seems to be a common question (after posting, the forum gave me some "similar posts" links) but everyone's build is a little different so I'm not sure if advice to the others applies to me.

[pdqtom]

Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

Howdy P-cat,
I'm enjoying you're build, looks great so far. I did my "first fire", last night. Actually it was a propane burner from my volcano stove. Got the roof to 250f.

I have a 14" masonry saw if you don't have one yet. I don't want to sell it but would be glad to loan it to you if you need.

I'm recovering today after our annual Boy Scout / Mothers Day brisket sale. I smoked 112 brisket in my back yard Friday night when we got the rain. 11 fire boxes and pits to keep hot during a hard cold rain was some steppin' and fetchn' for sure!

Let me know if you need a saw!

moT

[pfennigthecat]

Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

Area pressed away around electrical tubes -- outlet boxes will go here, embedded in insulation layer (well away from hot area):


Covered with a plastic sheet:



Whew!
Long day. I probably won't be able to move tomorrow.

[pfennigthecat]

Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

Structural slab complete: The pipes for wires visible in the back, in the near corner is a larger PVC pipe that is the exact size for a 4x4 post to fit (plan a pergola over the finished kitchen)


Take that, bags!


After coffee break adding 6" of vermiculite in a 5:1 mix (10 vermiculite to 2 cement to 3 water):


Finished!

[pfennigthecat]

Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

More rebar:


Belt & Suspenders: Screws, braces, ties


Pouring 4" slab:


There will be a plug and a switch in the near side of the slab (which will be like backsplash for the counter area) so, driving some PVC pipe through the concrete to allow wires to come through later:

[Les]

Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

Does this look like enough rebar, or spaced well enough???

I would say that it isn't. Try to place a grid of 12 x 12 inches. Rebar is really cheap. When you start stacking brick it will give you a little more piece of mind.

Edit... I just read the link and Russell gave you solid advice, mine is redundant...

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

Bracing against the wall would be just fine on the far side. If you have some scrap 2x4 it would not hurt to brace but the screws in the play may be just fine on a 4" pour. Good idea on the extra rebar these ovens get quite heavy. Good luck with your pour tomorrow and send pics.

[pfennigthecat]

Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

Thanks Russel, will get another 3 or so rebar and some wire from the HomeDespot tomorrow AM before pouring.

In the picture, the sides over openings are screwed to the plywood beneath to prevent a 'blow out', or even a 'bow out'. How can I brace the long side on the far side of the picture? Just an angled 2x4 behind the wall, pushing against it? I can't picture any other way.
Or did you mean something like wrap a strap around the whole form and tighten, to prevent the screws in the corners from giving way?