Barrel Vault Oven

[shvuntz]

We have built a Barrel Vault oven 1 meter deep its lovely, but I read from some people that it's not as versatile and as efficient...is this true?..
I hope to cook pizza, bread but also roast dinners, potatoes?..will this be ok. please say it will!!

[shvuntz]

Re: Barrel Vault Oven

Does the silence mean 'oh shit, how do we tell her'?

[CanuckJim]

Re: Barrel Vault Oven

I built a barrel vault oven, too. During workshops here, I regularly bake both pizza and bread. This design is more efficient for bread baking, true, but that does not mean I can't bake wonderful pizza as well. Depends on how you learn to use the oven, manage heat, manage firing. It's true that a round, low dome Italian oven is more efficient for pizza making than a barrel vault. It's also true that a barrel vault is more efficient for bread baking. However, the designs are not mutually exclusive, just somewhat different in focus and intent. Is one superior to the other? Not in my opinion, and I've used both extensively.

Jim

[shvuntz]

Re: Barrel Vault Oven

Thank you PHEW!!!
look at this................this will confuse us all..its so funny like a 'us and them' dome or barrel.... there's almost a snobbyness going on... ha ha

[shvuntz]

Re: Barrel Vault Oven

Sorry here's the link -------------------------> Barrel vault oven vs. "Pompeii" dome oven: ARRGH!

[egalecki]

Re: Barrel Vault Oven

No snobby here. I just chose to build a round oven because it looked better for what I wanted to use it for.

I answered you on the other thread you started, by the way.

[shvuntz]

Re: Barrel Vault Oven

well i built a barrel because i look like one! ha ha
well, i certainly will if i eat pizza and bread all summer, and i think you should have the oven that represents the way you feel about yourself!

[DrakeRemoray]

Re: Barrel Vault Oven

Can you tell us some more about your barrel vault oven? How thick is the cladding on top of the bricks? How thick is the slab under the hearth? Do you have insulation? How much and where? Pictures are always good!

Welcome!
Drake

[Frances]

Re: Barrel Vault Oven

...I was just making conversation when I asked about the bread btw... having been told barrel ovens are good for that... I certainly didn't want to imply one or the other to be superior in any way...

Well I wouldn't know would I? I've only ever used a round one.


And all I can say is, I'm really glad we don't have any insuferable perfectionists like that on this forum! Perfect ovens, yes, overbearing know-it-alls, no.

[DrakeRemoray]

Re: Barrel Vault Oven

And all I can say is, I'm really glad we don't have any insuferable perfectionists like that on this forum! Perfect ovens, yes, overbearing know-it-alls, no.

Amen to that!

[shvuntz]

Re: Barrel Vault Oven

cladding?...if ou mean vermiculite cement..then it will be 6-7inches thick on top of the fire bricks, no blanket just vermiculite cement......slab under heath ermmmm...7 inches..
There is a link below for the oven progress you will be able to see it
Ha ha, i'm kidding you when I say theres a bit of a dome v barrel snobbery going on, to be honest this forum of people no there isn't but I have come across some pretty anal oven builders..
I'm sure the perfectionists know who I am talking about, it's a bit like the OMLET forum for chicken owners my god they are a hen pecking flock, we got chickens a year ago and I felt so nervous with all the advice, now I have them I could write my own advice column, relaxed style, it's always the same, ever read a good childcare book that didn't frighten you off enough to make you wish you'd kept your legs crossed!!!