Planning my 32" cast oven

[AndreasP]

Sidetrack , I saw your comment on creating a sectional dome in Kris S's build threat. Didn't want to hijack that thread. The idea is intriguing.
I am planning for my own cast build. Base is complete. I have a few weeks wehre I won't be able to make much progress other than planning the final details.

Here are some thoughts:

• make three sections, and a top part, would have to make sure that the top (plug) is tapered so that it does not fall through
• Maybe use thin cardboard to keep the seams thin
• Maybe fold the cardboard into a wedge shape I don't think I could do the nice bullnose that you have drawn, but maybe a triangular shape
• Or maybe even simpler, make a step in the homebrew 1" wide (see attached sketch)
• would also have to place something between the firebrick and the dome (cardboard?)
• Let the Homebrew cure for 48 hrs, remove the sand, fix any imperfections on the inside, let wet cure for at least another 5 days

Now comes the interesting part.

• Once everything is cured, I would have to take the dome apart so that it can be put together again using high temp mortar.
• Or simply burn out the thin cardboard and let it settle?

Not sure if it is worth the effort. I am going to use burnout fibers as well as Stainless Steel needles for structure.

Any thoughts are welcome.

[AndreasP]

OK, another question as I am going to pick up my firebrick tomorrow.
Looks like I can conveniently use a whole brick for the gallery portion.
After that I have seen two layouts on this site:

1. cut a triangular piece of the first set of bricks and butt them up against the bricks in the gallery (left in the drawing attached)
2. use a small triangular piece to start with (right in the attached drawing)

Both layouts seem to take 31 bricks (plus a few to break just in case) to make the floor
I am tending towards option 1, might provide a cleaner and more stable entrance, but does it really matter?

Any suggestions?

[david s]

It doesn’t really matter. The ragged edge of the floor bricks can be trimmed a little, but the insulation will cover it anyway. That is one of the big advantages of building the dome on top of the floor rather than the dome being outside the floor, which requires more precise floor brick cutting.

[AndreasP]

David, yes, I understand that part. I was more wondering about the pattern from the gallery entrance bricks to the herringbone part. I guess it does not really matter.

[Gulf]

Toward the end of this post ,.......JRPizza explains how and the why in which he laid the entry/galleryfloor brick.

[AndreasP]

Gulf , thanks for pointing me to that post. Yes, i am planning on doing the straight in bricks for the gallery. I am just wondering how to continue from there with the herringbone pattern. Two options as i has drawn 3 or so posts up.
One has small triangular pieces, then a complete brick.
The other has a triangular pice cut from the first "row" of bricks.
I have seen both and was wondering if there is a preference. I am sure both will work, but was just wondering if there is a preferred way to lay these bricks

[Gulf]

Both will work. You’re call. However, neither pic is an actual herringbone pattern. But, the diagonal lay serves the same purpose.

[AndreasP]

Gulf , Of course, you are absolutely correct, not sure how what i was thinking.

I updated the layout (more so that I know how many bricks to buy).

If I counted correctly the left layout requires one less brick (31 bricks, not that it matters) vs. the one on the right, because I can cheat a bit using a cutoff for the bottom left most brick technically not quite in the pattern.

I still think I will go with the one to the right. I kind of like the look at the entrance a bit better I think.

[JRPizza]

I did something like what you are showing on the right, where the bricks closest to the entrance were full length along one side and only a small wedge was cut off. Not sure it matters but not having small wedges right at the transition seemed to be more stable.

[AndreasP]

Thanks JR, that's what I was thinking as well. I think that's the way I will go

BTW, Love your build thread, very detailed

[UtahBeehiver]

The arch appears to not be centered. The top side is over farther than the bottom side. FYI, the inner arch needs to intersect the ID of the dome at the first course.

[AndreasP]

UtahBeehiver , not sure what you are referring to. The left most (straight) bricks are the floor for the gallery. I should center them so that it looks symmetrical but would then have to cut two bricks instead of one.
I am doing a cast dome, so there is no arch other than the decorative arch.
Sorry if I misunderstood. I certainly appreciate any feedback.

I have attached an updated drawing. Any comments?

[AndreasP]

I will of course cut the bricks to a shape closer to the cast dome than shown on the drawing

[UtahBeehiver]

I see, those entry floor bricks look like they were arch bricks.

[AndreasP]

No problem, I am super happy with all the feedback I have received here. It will hopefully keep me from making too many mistakes and will result in a better oven.