gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

[gt40]

My wife and I love Pizza. I came across this website a few years ago and all of the wonderful builds on this forum inspired us to finally to build a wood fired oven. The amount of info here is amazing.


We were going to go with the 42 as we have some decent size parties and I figure we can use all the size we can.

After a lot of discussion, we are building a FULL 48" on the corner of the large 20x 18 foot iron wood deck we have. Basically cutting a corner off the deck and putting it there. Ironwood has the same code rating as concrete.

Contractor says there should be no issue on set backs but we live in Santa Monica which can have some screwy rules. Basically the oven will be 18 feet from the house and 14 feet from the fence. My main concern is smoke. I hope I won't regret building it so close to the deck but we plan for a proper chimney and we have good breezes near the ocean.

So far I picked up 200 medium duty fire bricks and diy refactory mortar supplies:

[gt40]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

update:

Well, yesterday was day one of building our oven and it was a big day. We got the foundation formed and ready to pour and I welded up a heavy 3/16" thick steel frame. I also managed to crack bone in my arm when one of the cross member steel bars fell on it.

It was late in the evening and I was lazy to turn the frame on it's side to complete the weld and just clamped the bar in place instead. A 32 pound steel bar fell 42 inches and hit my arm.

Here are some pics:





Here is a pic of the frame:


I was able to find all the pieces from the remnants pile at Industrial Metal Supply and spent $250 in material costs including them cutting it exactly to size.


Arm shot after a trip to the emergency room. Hairline fracture in my arm. Should heal quick but that's what I get for being lazy and not flipping the frame for the last welds :P

[BriggsARNP]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

Sounds painful. It looks like you have a great start. I will watch avidly as you progress.

[gt40]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

Sounds painful. It looks like you have a great start. I will watch avidly as you progress.

Update, fractures or not, the oven build continues. Pretty happy with the progress so far for day 2 of the build.

Today we poured the slab and I managed to finish welding the steel stand. I hope to pour the upper slab where the oven goes tomorrow.
Here is the slab, 6" thick:



another shot of it:


Here is the finished welded stand that tweaked my arm:


I will post a cut list if anyone is interested but this thing is bomb proof and cost 250 bucks + I have a dramatically greater amount of storage for wood vs cinder blocks. the idea of moving 63 cinder blocks + the 60 or so bags of concrete vs 3 hours to weld the frame is a no brainer if you have access to a welder and can get steel at a reasonable price.

FYI, I have to give credit to the help of my contractor for the awesome work on the foundation.

That's it for now, thanks for looking.

[gt40]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

Update:

I finished the frame and moved it to the oven location. That thing is heavy! Took 2 guys to move but it is solid. I sealed it with 2 coats of galvinizing stuff.

All in all, I am really happy with the progress so far. We started work on this project 3 days ago and now have the foundation and stand pretty well done. I have to bolt it to the foundation tomorrow and then we will cast the upper concrete pad on top of the stand. I also have to order my fiber board to go under the oven floor.

I can't wait to start digging into the giant stack of fire bricks. Thanks for looking.

A couple more pics:

[Mike D]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

Very interesting, most people make the block stand, but I am looking forward to see how yours works out. Sorry about the hand, that sucks. Are you going to keep the stand open or are you going to cover it with something?

Mike

[brickie in oz]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

Nice start.
If it were me Id add some diagonal top to bottom bracing, these things are heavy and Id hate to see it rack sideways and fall.

[Tapir Force]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

Sorry to hear about your arm. The fracture will be celebrated over brews and pizza for years to come. It might even be enhanced to include an epic battle between you and a block salesman who used to be a WWF who went by the name of "Blockbuster" that you vanquished with your scrap steel sword...I digress.

On another note. I agree with Brickie. The stand might do just fine if it never receives a lateral thrust like a rotund neighbor falling against it. The risk might be worth a few more braces. That said, advice is like the weather. Some of it is good and some not so good.

I look forward to your build. Keep posting the great pictures.

Robert

[brickie in oz]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

Thats how it goes isnt it, fine food, fine wine and someone stumbling....

[gt40]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

Thanks everyone for the comments. I welded diagonals to the top and we tried rolling the whole thing over a few times and it doesn't flex at all. the whole thing is 3/16" thick square tube and it is over 200 lbs of steel. I welded a similar frame for a 2000lb lathe and it hasn't fallen after a year, so it should be okay.


As far as finishing, I am going to cover it with cement board and stone veneer which will add mass and some strength. Any suggestions on stone veneer would be appreciated.

[Mike D]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

Which way is the wood storage opening and which way is the ovens front. I would guess that the oven opening is on the deck side and it looks like the wood storage opening is on the back?

Mike

[gt40]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

Which way is the wood storage opening and which way is the ovens front. I would guess that the oven opening is on the deck side and it looks like the wood storage opening is on the back?

Mike

The side facing the deck may have a smaller arched storage section cut out of hardy board with a frame behind it for storing a small amount of wood for fire tending but you are right- the open end is where there is no bottom cross member opposite the deck. I will make an arch and some doors on that.

[gt40]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

Update:

We got the metal frame bolted to the foundation and the upper slab poured. Here a few more pics:

stand supports:

upper slab:

overview shot:


Thanks for looking

[gt40]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

I got home and the slab hardened and looks great except I found there was a spider crack on the top:



It was crazy california weather with hot sun, wind, clouds and a sudden 20 degree drop in temps after we poured. I My contractor says it won't effect things structurally with all the rebar we put in and no one will see it either although I could see he was tweaked about it.

One last shot:

[Mike D]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

You have to keep it wet for a week, covered. Let it cure slowly.

Mike