Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

    I've finally started! And the concrete is set now, no going back without a sledge hammer at least!


    I'm sticking essentially with my original square plan as described in the Outdoor Kitchen Design subforum, with all the components (pizza oven, propane fire pit, propane grill) inside the square left by removal of an old hot-tub.

    Last weekend I worked on 'squaring' the slab by filling in mortar mix on top of the paving stones surrounding the slab itself -- no more than ~3" on any one side, but the original slab was far from square somehow ;-). I don't forsee any structural problems from this, all the cinder blocks will be 70% on the slab at least and at least one of the hearth walls will essentially be right down the center of the slab.

    The grille (26" RCS Junior) arrived about 2 days after ordering (bbqguys) and my aunt is lending me her HarborFreight cement mixer, so it was time to start in earnest!

    Here's the SketchUp design model:



    Here's me laying the last CMU. The camera-boy is on top of the large stone wall behind the grill. I'm essentially standing in the middle of the countertop that will be across the back (note grill insert hole), the pizza oven hearth will be on the other side of my big head.


    Got rebar and concrete poured down every other CMU hole:




    Hopefully from these pics you can see a bit more of the area I'm working with. I obviously wanted to use the old slab, a primary design driver. Any part of the slab I didnt cover in pizza oven/kitchen would be at best an ugly floor. At best. And while it's true that people generally sit around a firepit, I think 3 or four people can still do that, and be facing and talking to the giller or the pizza chef. If we have more company than that, there's always the chiminea.


    Anyway, hopefully I will have the support wood frame for the hearth cut over the next couple weeks (away next weekend) and then pour the hearth slab around May 4th. Then vermiculite concrete layer on the 5th and then countertops a week or two after that. Then I'll have to get firebrick and start doming :-).


    My biggest concern is around concrete -- this is my first concrete project and Texas Summer is approaching. Last weekend was very pleasant, but still dry (I liberally wet down the CMUs after pouring the concrete). As it gets hotter I'm not sure I'll be treating the cement right.
    I generally know I shouldn't mix the cement too wet or it loses strength, but is it possible to wet it too much after pouring? E.g. if I liberally water it with the hose rather than misting every 6 hours or so, would that be bad? Or do i just need to wet it if it looks dry (and minimize that by covering in plastic)?


    My hearth will be ~4" thick with 1/2" rebar on 12" centers, with ~6" vermiculite concrete on top of that.


    Ok, that's enough brain dump for now, hopefully I provided all the right info ;-). Sorry for being long-winded, it's a habit.

  • #2
    Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

    How is project coming? I live in Austin, and I am thinking about delving in as well. Someone told me there were free plans on this site, but I have yet to see them. Do you have links to free plans?

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

      Originally posted by AaronKenny View Post
      How is project coming? I live in Austin, and I am thinking about delving in as well. Someone told me there were free plans on this site, but I have yet to see them. Do you have links to free plans?
      Click on the Pompeii Oven Construction Ebook.

      The one which lets you set your own price .
      Last edited by Gulf; 05-03-2013, 04:46 PM.
      Joe Watson " A year from now, you will wish that you had started today" My Build Album / My Build

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

        Making the support slab (~4" with rebar) and insulating slab (~6" 5:1 vermiculite/perlite) today / this weekend. If things go really well somehow I might start the countertops (maybe just making the forms).

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

          You have the hard part done. Good work.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

            Hearth form constructed -- didn't get started today till later than hoped, so haven't mixed the concrete yet.


            Does this look like enough rebar, or spaced well enough??? I've never done this before....
            The slab is overall 71" x 54". I extended the opening on the long side inwards so that the span across the middle would be smaller, hoping to ensure strength.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

              Also, as you can see, I didn't worry about making the sides of my form uniform height. The way I figure, the top of the structural hearth doesn't need to be level, just the top of the vermiculite layer. Having the slab slope slightly under the vermiculite may even be a good thing as it will help weep moisture to the edge, kinda like the sloped concrete under the tiles in a shower. So I'm going to try to very slightly dome the concrete in the middle then make the vermiculite layer flat.
              Anything wrong with this thinking?

              I assume I can do concrete in the AM tomorrow then vermiculite mix on top of that almost immediately after -- I shouldn't need to wait for the concrete to fully cure before doing the vermiculite, right?

              Final question -- do I need to go buy rebar tie wire, or can I use plastic zipties to hold the rebar together while I pour? I probably shouldn't use copper wire to tie the bar as dissimilar metals in an acidic environment is usually a bad idea :-)


              Pfennig

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

                Cat,

                IMHO I would add a few more #4 rebars running left to right base on your pic. You mention in an earlier post about wanting 12" centers, you will need to add these to make your goal. Tip, to prevent a side blowout with your pour, consider bracing the middle of each side. Better safe than sorry. Great start on your build. I've have seen people use zip ties, I used wire, what ever works.
                Russell
                Google Photo Album [https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...JneXVXc3hVNHd3/]

                Comment


                • #9
                  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?

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    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.
                    Russell
                    Google Photo Album [https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...JneXVXc3hVNHd3/]

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: 32 Igloo Build, Lakeway TX

                      Originally posted by pfennigthecat View Post

                      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...
                      Last edited by Les; 05-04-2013, 08:00 PM.
                      Check out my pictures here:
                      http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f8/les-build-4207.html

                      If at first you don't succeed... Skydiving isn't for you.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        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:

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          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!

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            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.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              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

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X