Aceves's Corner 42" Pompeii Build

[aceves]

Re: Aceves's Corner 42" Pompeii Build

So we're COOKING in the WFO!

I'm still in the curing stages, but I figured I'd use the heat for something, like food. I was able to get my oven up to 650F last night, and then I let it cool off a bit to try to cook in it.

I tried the beer can chicken (BCC) recipe last night. All I can say is: WOW!!!! That chicken was GOOD!!!!

Oven temp was at 550F-575F and I left the chicken in for 1 hour 15 mins, rotating every 15 mins. I did have a small fire going on the side of the oven.

I used half a beer can of pale ale, and I rubbed a dry rub on the outside of the chicken. That's it.

Nice and crispy on the outside, and SUPER moist on the inside. Full of flavor and very juicy. I am definitely going to keep making more BCC as my cooking develops! You just can't go wrong. I also roasted some veggies to go with the chicken for dinner.

I will change up the beers as I cook more BCCs. I read in the forum that some members prefer Guinness. I'll experiment with different brews.

I also made some sourdough - no knead recipe. My 1st sourdough ever! I let the yeast age for 48 hours, prepared the dough, and put 2 loaves in once the chicken was out. Temp was 500F and the loaves were done in 25 mins.

I placed the loaves in pans as I ran out of parchment paper. I'm a newbie when it comes to sourdough, so I'll get better the more bread I bake. I made rosemary bread as well, but that one didn't come out too great (you'll notice the rosemary bread in the 2nd pic). The temp had gone down and I left the bread in a little too long. No worries, I'll only get better.

I'm excited to be cooking with fire. This is fun!!!

aceves

[aceves]

Re: Aceves's Corner 42" Pompeii Build

I've started my curing fires. The fire in the dome looks awesome, and the chimney draws beautifully.

Only one crack in my entry arch, but I'm not too worried about it. I'll patch that up later. In the meantime, more fire!!!!

aceves

[Sharkey]

Re: Aceves's Corner 42" Pompeii Build

I borrowed the vent design from Sharkey (thanks Sharkey!) and I'll be doing a modified clay flue liner.

I just noticed this. I'm happy that I could help somebody else out. I thought it looked good in mine, but seeing photos from somebody else's oven, I have to say it looks awesome.

Great job Aceves.

[aceves]

Re: Aceves's Corner 42" Pompeii Build

More pics. Here you can see how it all came together. The mortar set up quick and I was not able to move that thing within minutes.

I reinforced the oval chimney with spare triangle-cut firebricks using them as shims to stabilize the flue pieces.

It's not the cleanest job I've done, but nobody is going to see this, so functionality was the priority. Once the mortar dries, I'm going to insulate the chimney with more FB blanket.

The last pic is how the inside looks like, with the bend going backwards.

aceves

[aceves]

Re: Aceves's Corner 42" Pompeii Build

Here is my custom chimney design. I borrowed ideas from a couple of FB members - leemc and gt40 - and made it work with the flue pieces that I had. My flue measures 8"x13" oval, and I think it will draw well per some other members' comments here on the Forum.

I insulated the dome first before I installed the chimney, as I didn't want the flue pieces touching the dome firebricks and transferring heat to the chimney, and I wanted the dome fully insulated on its own.

I placed a firebrick platform at the very top of the dome for the upright chimney to sit on. That way I was able to cover the bottom end of the flue instead of it just sitting on the FB blanket. Should work very well.

aceves

[aceves]

Re: Aceves's Corner 42" Pompeii Build

Hey Dusty,

I know, right!!?? Took me a long time! But's it's finally done, more or less. I'm going to let the chimney dry completely before I begin the curing phase.

I'll send you an invite as soon as we're up to speed with our cooking. It might be a while before I perfect my temps. Stay tuned!

Here are some photos, as promised.

The flue piece cut at an angle and the enclosure.

aceves

[dusty]

Re: Aceves's Corner 42" Pompeii Build

Aceves,
Looks awesome! I would say "ABOUT TIME!!!" but it looks like it was worth the wait. Love to see it sometime.

dusty

[aceves]

Re: Aceves's Corner 42" Pompeii Build

OK, so I've been busy trying to cover up my oven!

My insulation blanket is on, my enclosure is up, and I just finished my chimney. As of today, I have a fully functional WFO!!! Now I have to wait for the chimney mortar to dry and it's on to the curing fires (re-curing, actually, since I had already started curing about a couple of weeks ago).

I was going to post some pics, but it's taking forever to upload (yes, I've reduced the size of the pics already). I'll post pics later tonight or tomorrow.

aceves

[aceves]

Re: Aceves's Corner 42" Pompeii Build

Thanks Cheesesteak & Karangi Dude,

I just got back from vacation and inspected the FB blanket. It did get a little wet (even though I had a tarp over it). I won't worry about it too much, per your advice. I'll take my time curing and drying it.

The race is on to build the enclosure and cover it up. The rains are coming!

aceves

[Cheesesteak]

Re: Aceves's Corner 42" Pompeii Build

Aceves -

The FB insulation will be enough - add vermiculite / perlite at your discretion. It will help the bricks retain heat - which will be most relevant if you're baking bread or other cooking the next day (after a pizza fire). I think the 3" of FB blanket is all you need. To see - get the dome up to temp and measure the temperature on the outside of the 3" of insulation.

The FB blanket should be okay "wet" - but I would try to keep it dry. If it gets wet - your dome will get wet - and that will require more curing / drying.

Get that thing closed - it's supposed to rain in Sacramento later this week!!!!!

Just took another look at your more recent pics - and I really like the arch/chimney transition. The curved look really looks great. Now just wait until it gets coated in soot! We need pics of fire in that thing!

[aceves]

Re: Aceves's Corner 42" Pompeii Build

OK, so I've insulated my dome after a few curing fires! I am still going through the whole curing cycle, just did a few fires to see if any cracks developed. So far no cracks.

chidding, I know what you mean by enjoying the clean look. My curing fires blackened all my brickwork!

I added my insulation blankets and added the chicken wire to keep it all together. I just have a few of questions to the FB members:

1) How important is it that I add perlite insulation on top of the FB blankets? Do I really need more insulation or is 3" of FB blanket enough insulation?

2) What happens if the FB blanket gets wet? Will it break apart?

The weather is starting to turn here in NorCal and I need to cover up my dome before winter gets here. Yesterday I started cutting my metal studs to build my enclosure but ran out of time. Now I have prior commitments and will not be able to get to it for the next 2 weeks.

Your comments & suggestions are most welcome!

aceves

[chidding]

Re: Aceves's Corner 42" Pompeii Build

Enjoy the nice clean look, i miss it before it was compeletely black haha.

[aceves]

Re: Aceves's Corner 42" Pompeii Build

So here are more pics of my entry/vent. I had my forms in place for a full 24 hours, and I removed them to mortar my inner seams and clean up the entry.

I borrowed the vent design from Sharkey (thanks Sharkey!) and I'll be doing a modified clay flue liner.

As you can see, I tapered my inner arch bricks so the smoke & gases have a smoother transition up the flue. My reveal is at 1.5" for my door.

I'm really happy how it's turning out. Again, not the most precise job ( a few bricks are a little out of place, but it looks awesome to me nonetheless!

I'll be starting my curing fires in a couple of weeks!

aceves

[aceves]

Re: Aceves's Corner 42" Pompeii Build

Hi John,

Yes, I've been reducing the size of my pics to about 300-350 KB. I've just uploaded some pics - see above. More pics to come.

My outer arch is not the most perfect arch out there, but it will do. I will be adding another decorative arch in front of this arch, so I'm not too worried about it not being the best job out there. The inner seams (where everybody will be able to see) will be nice and tight. It works for me!

aceves

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: Aceves's Corner 42" Pompeii Build

Before uploading the file you're reducing the file size to around 1mb or less, right?