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Smallest useable clay/cob oven size

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  • Smallest useable clay/cob oven size

    Hello,

    I'm building my first WFO and don;t have the most space available. I'm thinking round base. Current test gives me a base of 120cm front to back and 110cm side to side, is this too small for a clay oven?
    Should i build a square base instead?

    Thanks

  • #2
    Is there a particular reason you are going with clay/cob oven that has a relatively short life span. There are several UK builds going on right now on the forum that are using a home brew dense cast over a sand mold. David S our casting expert from Aussieland uses and produces commercially "small" cast ovens that I believe are in the 28" range plus or minus and he says he is able to handle fairly large parties with his ovens, also, less fuel and heats faster. Look at his posts before you head too far down the clay/cob route, the construction is similar. There have also been some nice round bases done as well and you can always do a small cantilever concrete hearth to give you a few extra inches (cms) diameter. Do not get sucked into p or vcrete domes as the primary dome structure that seems to be the YouTube rage right now. Do it right and enjoy the oven for a long time.
    Russell
    Google Photo Album [https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...JneXVXc3hVNHd3/]

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    • #3
      Thanks Utah,
      Home brew, that's 3.1.1.1 Clay.sand.cement.lime right? Can this be used as the thermal mass layer? Thought it was more of a refractory mortar for a brick dome?

      I think i wanted a clay/cob oven due to the 'Earthen/Natural' factor. But i'm now intrigued by the homebrew as thermal mass layer. What would be the best thickness for this and what about insulation?

      I've just read a post funnily enough on a clay build with a vermiculite/clay insulation layer and a cement/lime render finish. Was about 25m thick in the end which would give me an internal diameter of about 75cm (with the space I've got).

      Any chance you could link in the one of the decent threads on the dense brew casts (my excuse is i'm new here and not got to grasps with the forum yet ).

      When you say perlite or vermicrete domes, what is up with them?

      Thanks again.

      P.s. tried a re-arrange as a square base, don;t have enough bricks for a double skin, would a single skin be enough with either concrete or timber lintels.


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      • #4
        https://www.instructables.com/id/Ins...za-Bread-Oven/

        this is what i'm thinking, but not as 'long'

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        • #5
          Go to "Other Oven Types" and peruse. All the questions you are asking reside in the area.
          Russell
          Google Photo Album [https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...JneXVXc3hVNHd3/]

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          • #6
            3 1 1 1 - Sand, Fire Clay, Lime, Portland (cement) in this order by volume
            Russell
            Google Photo Album [https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...JneXVXc3hVNHd3/]

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            • #7
              Thank you. Will go take a look

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Robarb View Post
                Thank you. Will go take a look
                https://community.fornobravo.com/for...-nh-oven-build
                Here's the link to my build using the 3:1:1:1 homebrew. 7 years and still going strong.
                Aaron

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