Casa 110 build

[UtahBeehiver]

Plus one on Mike's comment. You can start with a couple BBQ briquettes fires, this gets you around 200 F with no flame impingement. Remember, when you start using wood, one extra piece of wood on the fire will cause the temps to spike. You can cook a dutch oven when you do briquettes.

[libertyhillmichael]

Thanks! Low and slow is the plan, starting this weekend.

[SableSprings]

Looks great! Because you've done the outer finish layer, go very slowly on your curing fires...any internal moisture is going to "struggle" to escape. Too hot, too fast & you may find a few cracks in the outer render. Easy to patch that render after curing is complete...and the actual oven won't be affected. Looking forward to you getting to enjoy using that beauty!

[libertyhillmichael]

Just put the final finish coat and ready to start low and slow cure process this week! Then I need to find metal studs to start framing for stone masons. I know it was not necessary to stucco if I am going to enclose, but I wanted to be able to use the oven until I can get the framing and stone work done. This time of year in Texas we get on and off rain so I wanted to get it water proofed as soon as possible before more rain and high temperatures...

[libertyhillmichael]

First time to stucco....base coat done, waiting for no rain to apply second coat.

[libertyhillmichael]

[libertyhillmichael]

We finally have a break in the rain so can move forward! I ended up grinding off the refractory cement supplied by FB, was not happy with the amount of cracking after applying. So I got some on line and it is 100% better! Insulated, wired and ready for stucco tomorrow......hopefully!

[libertyhillmichael]

I am planning on using metal studs, hardi board and building inclosure with stone. Which will take some time.....so I was thinking of using mortar over the insulation and lathe so that I can start utilizing the oven until I can get the stone structure done. Any thoughts?

[libertyhillmichael]

Thank you Mike! I figured as much with the heating and cooling of the oven it would be near impossible for no cracking...

Have them screened, we have a few curious critters in Central Texas....

Appreciate you!

Michael

[libertyhillmichael]

Thanks Russell, appreciate you. Roger that on just filling the gap. I did email FB, no response yet.

[SableSprings]

I helped a friend install a Casa 90 several years ago and we had these same kinds of cracks develop in the joint mortar lines. As Russell noted above, these mortar joints are really about filling the gaps. Those cast oven sections do move significantly during the firing cycles and if we removed the outer insulation/facade on any of this type of cast oven you'd see cracks in all those seams.

Your hearth & weep hole setup looks great. Don't forget to cap/cover the weep hole tubes underneath with insect screen. Next layer is your upside down mosaic tile squares to provide an air/moisture gap below your floor insulation. Great start!

[UtahBeehiver]

I cannot give you direct experience on the cracking of the joint mortar for an FB oven since I did a brick oven. I suggest you email FB support directly and get their take on it. IMHO, the FB cast pieces over lap and the mortar is not for strength but rather fill the joint gaps and minor crack should not be an issue.

[libertyhillmichael]

Photo's of weep holes and the base pour

[libertyhillmichael]

Absolutely! I set 5, one center, 4 perimeter with ½" PVC pipe into the form before pouring. I believe I saw one of your posts about this subject pre construct research. Thank you

I am wondering about the mortar slightly cracking when I filled the dome seams...

[UtahBeehiver]

Be sure to drill some weep holes under the dome area. We insulation a key reason for poor oven performance.