Napa WFO dome & hearth build questions

[John K]

Re: Napa WFO dome & hearth build questions

Great Work!!

keep those photos coming

[Tscarborough]

Re: Napa WFO dome & hearth build questions

Absolutely wonderful!

[EricU]

Re: Napa WFO dome & hearth build questions

Finished stripping the forms today, started the chimney stack and finished a little more rock

Used Sakrete 5000+ for the slab at about $5 a bag. The Buddy Rhodes mix that I like to use is more, a lot more. The Sakrete (from HD) worked quite well and I am quite happy the way the slab came out.

The drips on the big rocks will clean right up with either vinegar or a stiff wire brush or both.

[EricU]

Re: Napa WFO dome & hearth build questions

Formed and poured the WFO counter last saturday. Thanks to my buddy Mike, I had asked if he could come over and help pour in the morning and well, I wasnt quite ready. Thought I would be done by 10 or 11 in the morning and we cleaned up around 6:00 PM!!!!!

[EricU]

Re: Napa WFO dome & hearth build questions
The dome is FINALLY done.

1. Do I need to parge the outside of the dome?
   

It will have an enclosure built around it and filled with pearlite.

If so with what:

1. Mortar mix?
2. Pearlcrete?

[EricU]

Re: Napa WFO dome & hearth build questions



The Keystone is in, it took a lot longer than I had expected but it is in.

[EricU]

Re: Napa WFO dome & hearth build questions

Got the tenth row up today, this thing is taking way longer than I thought and it is taking more bricks than I thought. I keep going back and buying more bricks. I am out of bricks again and I need to go get another 15 or 20.

The inside diameter of the hole is about 20" at the lower smaller part and about 25" at the outer larger dimension. I think I should have about three more rings to go before the final keystone.

Around row eight, I kind of dipped the ring where it met the arch, but by the ninth row I think I got it corrected. My rings are pretty round and level now.

The ninth and tenth rows were bricks cut into thirds. I think the next row I will need to cut the bricks in 1/4s.

[Dino_Pizza]

Re: Napa WFO dome & hearth build questions

Eric, I went to 1/4's on rows 9 & 10 (my last 2 before my large keystone and I had a tall soldier course though) so you might too around rows 9 to 12 depending on how you started. Either way, at this point it's just cutting until you get a good, round fit.

You're getting close, keep up the good work,
Dino

[Millstone Man]

Re: Napa WFO dome & hearth build questions

Eric - Looking good. It got pretty tedius through that 5 to 8 ring and then around 9 or 10 you beging to feel like your making much better progress. The brick cuts get smaller but the rings really start to close in so it does get better and faster. keep up the good work.

[EricU]

Re: Napa WFO dome & hearth build questions

For the sixth and seventh rings I have been cutting the bricks into thirds. Is there some point that I will be cutting them into 1/4s?

Thanks, Eric

[EricU]

Re: Napa WFO dome & hearth build questions



Got the front arch and the sixth ring completed this last weekend. The dome to entry arch cuts take a long time.

I started cutting the bricks into thirds for the sixth ring. It sure seems to be taking more bricks than the plan takeoffs allow for.

I also had to correct the level of the fifth ring as I started going up in elevation when hitting the arch for some reason.

Eric

[jahysea]

Re: Napa WFO dome & hearth build questions

John, what do you mean by "mitering the corners" I am ready to start my 5th ring (including the soldier course). I have been cutting the sides to give a taper starting withe the 2nd ring (first one above the soldier course).

Eric.

That's what I meant, I did not explain it well.. You are making the face of each brick a trapezoid. The angles of that trapezoid get more aggressive as you go upward.

I chose to miter the backs of the bricks in my arch to meet the chain. I have attached a few pics. I've seen other folks notch out the bricks in the chain instead.

[EricU]

Re: Napa WFO dome & hearth build questions

Eric,

... My name is John and I live in up the road in St Helena. I built an oven several years ago which is documented in this forum. I would be happy to talk to you or show you my oven, send me a Private Message if you want my number.

John, thanks, I would love to come see a finished oven. As my main questions are at the hearth and how the ring bricks enter the opening arch.

...If you are on to the 4th or 5th chain I hope you are mitering the corners to avoid gaps...

John, what do you mean by "mitering the corners" I am ready to start my 5th ring (including the soldier course). I have been cutting the sides to give a taper starting withe the 2nd ring (first one above the soldier course).

Eric.

[jahysea]

Re: Napa WFO dome & hearth build questions

Eric,

Apologies as I haven't logged into this site in ages. My name is John and I live in up the road in St Helena. I built an oven several years ago which is documented in this forum. I would be happy to talk to you or show you my oven, send me a Private Message if you want my number.

I also used metal framing. And I used Chimney flue liner as you are considering.

As noted by others below, you really need to offset the joints in each and every course. I find every place they line up you may have a crack down the road. Start every other course with a half width brick if needed.

If you are on to the 4th or 5th chain I hope you are mitering the corners to avoid gaps.

Good luck, the kitchen and whole project look great.

[david s]

Re: Napa WFO dome & hearth build questions

Neil a tapered door has the problem of being more difficult to make accurately and can also create problems as the structure cools and shrinks around the door. Someone on the forum reported some major damage to their oven when their door jammed because of this problem. I built my first oven with a tapered door, having made the door first and casting over it to form the entry. It worked ok, and sometimes got stuck, but will be a pain to make a new one when it finally wears/burns out. I believe the door sitting against a rebate like most ovens is a superior solution.
Dave