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Hi all
we are 3/4 for the way done with building our first oven (cinder block wood storage base along with concrete plinth, clay brick perimeter, all have been built). Dome is next. Our intention was/is to build a clay oven mainly fir baking Middle Eastern breads and “manaqeesh” eg open faced pies , but the project has sort of morphed along the way and we are now at a critical juncture as we consider what type and ratio of building materials to include in our (barrel shaped) dome. We risk over engineering so I thought I’d seek advice: Should we stick with a traditional fire clay powder/sand/straw mix to stay true to the nature of the project or consider a kind of more modernized hybrid approach and add some refractory cement to the fire clay to reduce cracks and provide longevity and strength? Would this even work? Is this a bad idea? If so why? If not, in what proportions? Suggestions welcome !! We’ve never done this before so here goes nothing !
we are 3/4 for the way done with building our first oven (cinder block wood storage base along with concrete plinth, clay brick perimeter, all have been built). Dome is next. Our intention was/is to build a clay oven mainly fir baking Middle Eastern breads and “manaqeesh” eg open faced pies , but the project has sort of morphed along the way and we are now at a critical juncture as we consider what type and ratio of building materials to include in our (barrel shaped) dome. We risk over engineering so I thought I’d seek advice: Should we stick with a traditional fire clay powder/sand/straw mix to stay true to the nature of the project or consider a kind of more modernized hybrid approach and add some refractory cement to the fire clay to reduce cracks and provide longevity and strength? Would this even work? Is this a bad idea? If so why? If not, in what proportions? Suggestions welcome !! We’ve never done this before so here goes nothing !