How to acheive this look, flush opening hearth.

[jas0ny]

I am trying to acheive this look, how the cooking floor is flushed with the hearth. Im not sure the proper way to build the hearth. Does anyone have input? thank you folks in advance!

[Damer419]

This build did something similar.....not 100% flush but close

https://community.fornobravo.com/for...-s-oven?t=3176

[david s]

You can either cast a basin in your supporting slab or build up around the outside of the oven up to the floor level. The second method is easier because it doesn't require complex formwork and you can use a lightweight concrete mix.

[jas0ny]

You can either cast a basin in your supporting slab or build up around the outside of the oven up to the floor level. The second method is easier because it doesn't require complex formwork and you can use a lightweight concrete mix.

david, so i can pour a 3 1/2" slab with concrect, use ceramic fb board to lay on top, then pour a lightweight concrete mix around the ceramic board to make it flush with the cooking floor?

[david s]

Yes, but be aware that your underfloor insulation is then more likely to hold moisture in itself, so seal the top layer well to prevent water entry and drill or cast holes in the supporting slab to provide somewhere for the moisture to exit.

[jas0ny]

So i understand, the underfloor insulation (ceramic fb board that ill be using) is more likely to hold moisture.
I should seal the top layer (ceramic fb) and cast holes in the supporting regular concrete slab for moisture to exit. is this correct? thank you for your input, very much appreciated.

[david s]

So i understand, the underfloor insulation (ceramic fb board that ill be using) is more likely to hold moisture.
I should seal the top layer (ceramic fb) and cast holes in the supporting regular concrete slab for moisture to exit. is this correct? thank you for your input, very much appreciated.

Yes, but make sure water can't get in from above the underfloor insulation.

[deejayoh]

I built my oven this way. The counter is perfectly even with the oven floor. I had 3" of insulation + the brick floor on top of the slab. I poured 2" of concrete on the exposed slab, then laid a pre-cast 3" thick concrete counter top on top of that. The advantage of using the pre-cast was that I could get a nice overhang and thick exposed edge.

[RandyJ]

I agree with DJ there are other ways to achieve the look you are looking for. Most times I have seen the well in the slab it is for vermicreet so it is not as likely to be damaged. When I did my oven I poured a 6" thick lip in front of the insulation to support the vent and the poured a 2.75" counter top to make it flush with the cooking floor. There are many different ways to the same end point.

Randy

[texman]

here is another take.

[deejayoh]

Good to see you online Texman

[texman]

Been awhile DJ. Glad to see the familiar names out there. Must be a thousand more ovens out there by now. I don't suppose someone figured out how to make them build themselves yet, have they? I saw Gulf is still active, but i havn't had much time to poke around yet. Congrats on the Il Pizzaiolo!

[Gulf]

+2 on "Good to see you online Texman" . I'm glad to see that you are still enjoying the fruits of your labor. The oven looks great and the pie looks delicious.

Russell UtahBeehiver is also very active, There are several others that you will remember. It would be great if you would visit more often. There are folks joining every day that could use some advise or just a little look at what you cook in the oven.