One small step for Pizza

[gdest]

Well its be awhile since I posted, Looking at the time date its been 4 years!!! WOW. Was just looking around and found this thread I started. Now to give some hopefully good news, Instead of pizza for the 4th of July, I am going to attempt to cook a whole pig in the old pizza oven. Hopefully I will be able to get one around 30lbs if any bigger it might not fit. I will be posting some photos after the party.

Gary

[brickie in oz]

Re: One small step for Pizza

It was slightly raining that day and I had to erect a temporary tent over the table.

You are on a slippery slope my friend, like me it will be just an oven Hun' then comes the deck, the roof, the outdoor fireplace.......shreeeeak , where does it all end......?

But its all fun.....

[gdest]

Re: One small step for Pizza

Here are some pics of the 1st offical pizza party. It was slightly raining that day and I had to erect a temporary tent over the table. Made about 9 pizzas and did some stuffed Jalape?o's

Gary

[gdest]

Re: One small step for Pizza

The facing is flagstone and the counter tops are granite.

Gary

[irelande5]

Re: One small step for Pizza

Nice build, what type of veneer is covering your base?

I found the same thing, went with smaller wood to get it going, also I didnt have really seasoned and dry wood, once I got that it was roaring

[gdest]

Re: One small step for Pizza

Now the oven is done, now I need to build a pegoda. Next years project

Gary

[gdest]

Re: One small step for Pizza

I did insist with the project manager on this build (aka the wife) that I am going to finish off the stucco of the oven myself!!! However I again was out voted.
For all you WFO wannabe builders. Take a lesson from me. If you can only get home once every 3 or so months DON'T start this project as a self build.

I do want to mention to all of you who have just joined the people here are the greatest and will give you very good information and encourgement.

Gary

P.S. I am posting this from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

[gdest]

Re: One small step for Pizza

Well I am sorry to say that although I have a working pizza oven, I have not been able to get home often enough to put on the finishing touches. So as a result I decided to bite the bullet and contract out some of the finishing work.
Here are some pics showing the progress

[gdest]

Re: One small step for Pizza

Well its been awhile and now I am truly embarrassed about the progress I have made since the wedding in October. Here is what has been going on.

1. October my son got married and I was able to cook some pizza's the day after the wedding. I have to work on my technique but the pizza were good.

2. Christmas R&R no more work on the oven

3. Feb/March R&R spent the first week in Customer and Subcontract meetings. 2nd week had to devote time for taxes. NO WORK ON THE OVEN!

4. June/July R&R Spent the 1st week in Dominican Republic for my neice's wedding. 2nd week tried to baby my back after all of the plane travel.
4a. Requested quotes from some contractors to build onto existing pool patio and build a table for pizza prep..
4b. Reviewed some of the bids and decided to build myself ....after the oven gets done.

5. Back in KSA ....

Well there is always September to look forward to

Gary

[gdest]

Re: One small step for Pizza

Well I am back in KSA and what a whirl wind trip this was. To give an update:

With the help of my son we were able to insulate the oven and get a coat of stucco over it! It was now ready to cook!

On Friday because of all of the out of town guest attending my son's wedding, we had the rehearsal dinner at my house for about 40 people. Cooked 2 briskets, 6 chickens, sausages, stuffed Jalapenos, salads, cowboy baked beans etc..

Was asked by one guest why am I not makeing pizza's....now I only have to cook for 39 people.

On Sunday after the wedding, I was able to cook some pizza's. They were good but I think I need to work on my technique a bit more. I also have to fire up the oven for a longer period of time AND use smaller fire wood.

Photos will follow once my wife sends me some.

Finishing stucco will be applied during my next R&R

Gary

[Dino_Pizza]

Re: One small step for Pizza

I vote for "relax and drink a few bottles of wine"

We now save almost every limb of tree we trim for the wfo. When a bigger tree needs to come down, I no longer look at it as a chore but future "fuel" for a good time at the pizza oven.

Good luck on your wedding pizza event. Sounds like fun.

[gdest]

Re: One small step for Pizza

Well just to let everyone know, I am heading back to Houston for a quick R&R. Here is where I stand now:

The Oven is all bricked in and has had some curing fires. I think I will do a few once I get home to make sure.
My wife went out and purchase the insulation for the WFO. In addition a large tree died in the front yard and had to be cut down. This time the wood was saved!
Once I get home, I hope to be able to insulate and stucco it before everyone comes down for my son's wedding and we can all have some wedding pizza.

The other option is for me just to relax and drink a few bottles of wine and complain about Saudi Arabia.

I will let you all know which option was taken after the R&R.

Gary

[Lburou]

Re: One small step for Pizza

Your tenacity getting your oven ready for insulation is admirable! Glad to see you to this stage. It won't be long now for those pizzas!

[gdest]

Re: One small step for Pizza

Now that I'm back in the KSA my son is now tasked with doing the rest. Here you see the 1st curing fire and the temporary door.

I hope that he will go ahead and insulate the oven and apply stucco. That way when I get back in October, we will have some pizza for the wedding!!

I hope to be able to start on some of the stone work sometime in March of next year.

Gary

P.S. does anyone remember how much insulation I need to buy for 4" of coverage on the 42" ID oven? I can't seem to find the instructions.

Gary

[gdest]

Re: One small step for Pizza

Now here is a look at the brickwork from the inside. I looks pretty good if I do sayso myself. As far as the top dome, I just want to say that if anyone who has traveled 18 1/2 hours on a plane and is faced with brutal jet lag and whose wife is wondering why you are spending so much time with bricks after being away for 3 months, can do better, I challange you.

Gary