30" cast dome design

[sergetania]

David,

Do you think the oven is now dry enough for me to apply the acrylic flashing sealant? The stucco is accumulating soot and bird droppings and it is not the best surface for cleaning. Thanks!!!

[sergetania]

It is now official - it is a pizza oven!!!!

Thin-crust Bari-style pizza, not the fashionable Neapolitan, but pizza nevertheless! Turned out pretty good (except the very first one - you can see the remnants of the first pizza on the oven floor - always a good sign! )

[david s]

A badge of honour.

[sergetania]

David, given that you are always right when it comes to ovens I will stop worrying. I guess the crack is a sign that I have used the oven.

[david s]

In 10 years time when your oven is still cranking out pizzas as good as ever and the crack is still there, but no worse, you’ll hardly give it another thought. Remember there are two kinds of ovens, those that have cracks and those that have owners who lie about their ovens having no cracks.

[sergetania]

David, thanks! I do have an expansion gap between the inner entrance casting and the facade(like in your pictures) but still facade gets quite hot and the stucco does not. I am a bit more worried about the crack in the base but if you say it is of little consequence I will worry less. It's not like I can do anything about it anyway. I hope I should be able to cover the cracks with the flex acrylic coating after the oven dries a bit more to prevent water seeping through like you said. Thanks again!

[david s]

I’ve seen lots of cracking in ovens where the outer shell meets the outer decorative arch and while this may appear to be normal I think there are things that can be done to eliminate or reduce the cracking. I think the problem is the temperature difference and therefore the different thermal expansion between the inner parts of the oven and the outer parts(outer shell and decorative arch). In my own design I use an insulating mix for the inner half of the decorative arch as well as providing an expansion gap between flue gallery and outer decorative arch. This allows for expansion without the inner oven parts placing stress on the outer cooler parts. This seems to eliminate the problem as proved many times. If cracks appear in an oven they are of little consequence although may provide entry for water if the oven is out in the weather. A flexible acrylic coating over the render will cover and bridge small cracks and I also recommend this unless the oven has a roof over it.

[sergetania]

As I am starting to use the oven I am seeing a couple of cracks appear. One in the stucco where it connects to the facade of the oven. This must be normal, stucco and facade are heated to different temps and expand differently. Another is in the base of the oven and stucco above one of the rear legs. I have seen a video (Melbourne fire brick company?) where the guy said it is kind of normal as well. I will try not to worry about it. Is this normal? Thanks!!!

[Mullster]

Congratulations - looking very good!! Hope you are enjoying it

[sergetania]

While everyone is watching TV...

[sergetania]

I don't remember who it was but thank you for the warning! Here is a teeth protection. I hope that pipe does not get too hot!

[sergetania]

Practically done. My son was a huge fan of Thomas the Tank Engine... he says there is certainly a resemblance

[sergetania]

7 days have passed and here it is. If I ever do stucco again it will be smoother. At least this one seems to be strong. I will cover it with flashing sealant and hope it will make it look better.

[sergetania]

Great! Assuming after 7 days of wet curing will have passed, right? I think so. Thank you!

[david s]

Use sandpaper to knock back any fibres sticking out.