NW Ohio Build - Opinions welcome

[Ron-NC]

Hi, I am also building a barrel vault. I notice you built the back wall outside the arches rather than inside the arches. Have you noticed the arches pushing the back wall outward during high temperatures?

[RandyJ]

Looks great. Congratulations on getting it finished. It is amazing how much of a difference the insulation makes. . I would not think you should have any trouble after the blanket went on. As it should heat more evenly now.

Randy

[perrysburg]

Finally finished!!! It took over a year but I think it turned out pretty nice for a guy who's never done any masonry work before. My only concern is the arches now that I have closed it all up. I purposely did not enclose last year so I could have 6+ months burns to ensure the arches didn't move. Only problem was I didn't cover with the ceramic blanket until this last few weeks. Well I cannot overstate what a difference the blanket makes when it comes to oven temperature. Hopefully the +200 degree difference doesn't stress the arches out even more to the point of degrading the structural integrity. Prior to the blanket I could get spots directly above the fire to burn the brick clean however, now with the blanket as you can see the entire oven burnt all of the soot clean. I haven't used a digital thermometer but I'm guessing the difference must be +200 degrees.

[perrysburg]

Started the cement board and roof last night.

[perrysburg]

I had a temporary brace similar to the final version on it all year to see if the design would hold and all but the front opening arch slipped a little but I was able to catch it in time. With this version of I used a steel crossbeam instead of wood and on top of that used the ceramic blanket to ensure the wood does not come in direct contact with anything hot.

[david s]

Did you end up supporting the side walls with buttressing or steel bracing? If building a barrel oven with a flat (large diameter) arch, there is way more side force on the walls than a semicircular arch, so it requires side wall support.

[perrysburg]

more photos

[perrysburg]

Sorry been off the grid for awhile. Here's some of the latest photo's-- covered the barrel with ceramic blanket and framed out the enclosure for cement board and roof. So here's the thing, I know everyone is going to lose their minds when they see all the framing is in wood. Well, I had it framed in wood without a barrier of ceramic blanket (and metal crossbeam) to get me through last summer and the wood never caught on fire so unless the ceramic blanket conducts heat (haha) then I should be safe.

[gugahulk]

I am exited to see the progress.... What is happening my friend?

[gugahulk]

That looks good, buddy! Good job. I just added some picture of Mr. Chip's idea for my buttressing and it worked out perfect. Check my post to see it. Perfect idea for my scenario.

[perrysburg]

Final arch!!!

[Homer]

mixing above

[perrysburg]

So I need some advice.....as you can see in the photos I have completed the lower arch for the doorway. Should the next arch (which will support the chimney) actually be half a brick higher or the same height ?

[gugahulk]

Re: NW Ohio Build - Opinions welcome

Def doing some king of support. I have some ideas but not sure yet. BTW--I checked out your build and was very impressed. Have you started the curing process yet?

Thanks, I am def looking forward to see the support you will be making. I had the most trouble with this as it keep me up for days trying to figure out a solution where it would ad ZERO mass to my WFO but having a very strong support. My good friend MrChip from the forum made it happen for me. He came out with the perfect solution which I am working on it now. I will post picture on my build once ready. Its pretty genius idea.

About the Curing process yes, I have. I will be doing the 3rd fire today and its so much fun. I am keeping the oven under 200F so far and I will be raising 100F every 3 days or so. Its alot of fun.

[perrysburg]

Re: NW Ohio Build - Opinions welcome

Def doing some kind of support. I have some ideas but not sure yet. BTW--I checked out your build and was very impressed. Have you started the curing process yet?