Chimney location - How screwed am I?

[Lexam]

I've been making some pretty good pizzas on my green egg, and was inspired by a post on another forum to build a wood fired oven. I hacked together what you see below. It is 32" ID on the base. The main structure is perlite/portland around 2" thick. There is a 1/4" layer of high temp mortar on the inside, and the outside is stucco. After finishing things up I happened across this forum. I started reading and realized my chimney (4" fyi) is in the wrong spot. I knew the chimney is best in the front, but I mistakenly placed it at the highest point. I thought it was supposed to work like this:



what I did:



Here is my base. It is 3.5" of perlite/portland. It will be supported by something else (haven't decided yet), and I will stack firebricks on top to make up the floor of the oven.

I was hoping to get this thing up to 800F to do some neapolitans. Think it will get hot enough?

[cobblerdave]

G'day
No I recon you'll be alright. Light the fire as normal and when it's going well drop the base of a pottery pot plant over the chimney to block it. The oven will then retain heat and work effectively.
Be great to see it working,
regards dave

[Lexam]

hm well if it will work alright without a chimney i'll be in business. I'm kind of spent from all the cement mixing this weekend...not quite enough energy to plug and relocate at the moment Going to let it cure for a couple weeks and give it a try.

[cobblerdave]

G'day
The FB ovens chimneys are located outside the ovens entrance and are manly to take the hot gases away from your face. Having a chimney at the high point means those hot gases are taken away before they can effectively heat the oven. Once hot the oven will draw without an internal chimney.
regards dave

[Kelman 69]

I've been a mason for 30 years built just about every style chimney/oven you can think of. I think it'll work just fine. One way to find out....Use it!

[Kelman 69]

I think it'll be fine