Saint Helena Oven

[n2iko]

Re: Saint Helena Oven

Very nice. I just have this itch to start also but here in NY I have to also placate the powers that be. So I'm stuck in permit hell while they chew my plans to confetti.

Would it be possible to post some pictures of the entire outdoor setup?
I just love looking at these things.



--mr.jim

[jahysea]

Re: Saint Helena Oven

Thanks everyone, none of it would have been possible without the example ovens built and documented by others. I'm noticing many of the ovens being built now display far better brick crafting, with bricks shaped to eliminate mortar both inside and outside, etc.

I love explaining the building of the oven to people. They kind of shake their heads not knowing why you would need or want a wood oven, much less build one yourself.

I've done a lot of home improvement projects but the oven has to be #1 most interesting and rewarding.

James, it cooks like a champ. I mostly cook with fire in the oven, but it retains heat pretty well also. I've never made real bread, I'd like to tackle that sometime. Mainly we cook chicken, roast, veggies, some tuscan grilling, and pizza of course.

I've learned that wood efficiency is actually counter-intuitive. I use the least wood when I use a lot of wood in the beginning, slide the coals over and just use minimal wood to maintain. Ideally I get a couple sticks lit to warm the thing for 20 mins or so, then just turn it into a furnace.

Fun fun. Tackling a small Turkey tomorrow. Brining it overnight in salt/maple/water solution. Stuffing it, then double foiling it and placing it in a medium hot oven with small fire. Probably leave the door open. Need the small fire because as the Turkey finishes we will be cooking brussel sprouts, squash, probably some flatbreads.

[james]

Re: Finally finished..

After many many fires and a long summer of ignoring ....

Hey Jaysea,

But how does she cook? :-)

James

[maver]

Re: Saint Helena Oven

JC, that looks great. Love the clean lines, the stucco to match the house, the corrugated roofing and the cool chimney cap! The fountain brings it all together - great finish to the project.

Marc

[fullback66]

Re: Saint Helena Oven

John,
I really enjoyed watching the process of your oven being built. Thanks for the photos you provided. It is a huge inspiration to me.
fb66

[wlively]

Re: Saint Helena Oven

Great looking oven JC.

[jahysea]

Finally finished..

After many many fires and a long summer of ignoring the last few tasks needed to complete my oven, I finally:

• Finished stucco work on the back side of the oven.

• Replaced the original hastily placed roofing around the chimney with pieces cut to fit tightly to the chimney

• Stained the stucco a golden color

I also used my newfound masonry skills this last summer to build a fountain near the oven.

I've got some cracks around the sides from thermal expansion of the slab supporting the dome, I don't think stucco will ever hide them. If they bother me too much I will use decorative tile to cover them up, but for now I'm just living with it.

[jahysea]

Re: Saint Helena Oven

Jahysea, that looks great. Let us know how it works. Are you able to angle it back on those feet to make a draft door?

Marc

Hi, thanks guys, loving the door. It won't really tip back, but I had been using the temp door in "draft" mode by sliding it sideways a bit or setting it just outside the entry. I think this will work the same. I'll find out this afternoon when I go to fire the oven up.

Jim, I will handsomely reward the guy who did it. In food and wine, you called it. Although the guys at a winery machine shop are less enthusiastic about working for wine than most.... :-)

[CanuckJim]

Re: Saint Helena Oven

JC,

Nice door for a nice oven. Of course, you paid the guy who made it handsomely, right? Or maybe you tempted him with pizza and wine. Any which way, good work. Should function just fine for a bake door; looks like a good seal.

Jim

[maver]

Re: Saint Helena Oven

Jahysea, that looks great. Let us know how it works. Are you able to angle it back on those feet to make a draft door?

Marc

[jahysea]

Door at Last..

I got a nice surprise last night. My door was dropped off by a friend.

Stainless steel, weighs about 30 pounds I'd guess. Fabricated in the shop at the company I work for. Off hours of course.

I absolutely love it, it's beautiful. Pics are a little weak, I snapped them with my phone.

[clb]

Re: Saint Helena Oven

hay ,man thats cool I know that was quite an undertaking w/the boys helping ! I dig the storage box,,Kinda mirrors the alfresco fire box,, look forward to seein it .thanks 4 the link cb

[Versachi]

Re: Saint Helena Oven

Seeing cooking pic's like that make me want to go outside with a tiger torch and melt all of the snow and frost in the back yard and get building tomorrow. All of the pic's on this site have inspired me to build one, but it's allways the cooking photo's that really catch my eye. Great work on the dome and the great food. Thanks for posting them for us to see.

Happy New Year from the great north, Versachi

[jahysea]

NY Eve - Lots of food and I can see the brickwork again

We had a big night NY:



After making Pizza for the kids, some flatbread appetizers, and some artichoke hearts as appetizers, we fit into the oven at one time:
- 2 Chickens butterflied and marinated in Lemon, Olive Oil, Salt & Pepper
- Large frying pan of potatoes
- Large ceramic dish of vegetables
- 1 pot of Mac & Cheese



As I result I can see all the inside of the dome again.

[maver]

Re: Saint Helena Oven

Hey, that really looks great! It's really looking finished.