NJ, worlds fastest oven build - NOT!!!

[Jaronimo]

Re: NJ, worlds fastest oven build - NOT!!!

Damn that copper colored roof is gonna be pretty!


A front shot of the partially completed metal roof.

[Jaronimo]

Re: NJ, worlds fastest oven build - NOT!!!

Almost forgot the most important part, even though the oven is not finished it does not stop us from making pizza!



One of the first pies, yes, that is homemade mozzarella.

[Lburou]

Re: NJ, worlds fastest oven build - NOT!!!

The trap door on the back of the oven is a good idea. Do you have mud dobbing wasps in your area? If yes, you'll need to be sure that back door is air tight. An excellent job you've done Jaronimo. Your oven design is like the perfect sentence: It shows a complete thought!

[Jaronimo]

Re: NJ, worlds fastest oven build - NOT!!!

We have some of those wasps, but lately we have to worry more about stink bugs getting into every crack. I did seal around the door pretty well with mortar, then ran a bead of silicone around the inside of the door to keep out bugs. Not sure if that will help, they seem to get in wherever they want anyway.

Thanks for the comments on the oven, they are appreciated. And the design changed slightly along the way, probably because it took so long to get to this point. I started it last summer thinking by fall we would be eating pizza. Then we got rained on 5 or 6 days a week, hurricanes and other storms kept dropping trees onto power lines so we spent many times without power, the longest was 7 days. Then it got cold, so I couldn't mix mortar when it was below 28 degrees, not that I wanted to when it was that cold.

I was always planning on a metal roof, it changed to copper when we bought a new Weber grill,
yes, it is in my living room, but I had to assemble it inside because it was raining. I ordered the roof of the pizza oven so it matches the Weber grills copper metallic color. You can't tell from the photo, but it certainly sparkles in the sun.

[Neil2]

Re: NJ, worlds fastest oven build - NOT!!!

Enjoyed your build. Excellent photos.

One minor thing I would consider is to provide your "attic" space with some ventilation. Perhaps a screened cutout in your chimney clean out door ?. This will help to ensure that your insulation stays dry.

Moisture will always find a way in, particular with concrete/masonry structures.

[Jaronimo]

Re: NJ, worlds fastest oven build - NOT!!!

I am going to put a short section of screen at the peak under the roof cap and was planning on throwing in a few of those 3 inch circular screened vents under the eaves. Should be enough for that small roof area.

Thanks.

[Jaronimo]

Re: NJ, worlds fastest oven build - NOT!!!

Ok, got some more work done on the roof.


Here is a picture of the oven roof next to my Weber, which inspired the color choice,


matches nicely, don't you think?

[Jaronimo]

Re: NJ, worlds fastest oven build - NOT!!!

I then turned to the ugly base,


I started adding some bricks along the opening and filled in the rest with Pennsylvania field stone,


I finished off the brick arch in front,


I love the look of the brick and stone together.

[Jaronimo]

Re: NJ, worlds fastest oven build - NOT!!!

Since we had a party yesterday for Memorial Day, I have been trying to finish the oven all week. More work that I thought. But here is a side shot of the "almost" finished oven,


and here is a shot from the front,


I still have to mortar the stone joints, add soffit material under the roof, and a few other odds and ends, but hopefully it will be 100% finished in the next week or two.

ps: the party was a huge success! I made 42 pizzas, and everyone loved them.

[jcb]

Re: NJ, worlds fastest oven build - NOT!!!

Jaronimo Great build I want to do one Also How much brick/concrete experience do you have? You talked about download plans can you tell me where? Thanks

[Jaronimo]

Re: NJ, worlds fastest oven build - NOT!!!

There are plans to download here on the forno bravo site.

How much brick and concrete experience do I have?

I poured and 8 foot by 8 foot slab 5 inches thick for my hottub. That's about it.

As far as bricks go, this was pretty much my first brick job.

I have done a couple of bricks here and there for repairs over the years, but never a project of this scale. I also read a lot. You would be surprised how many things I do for the first time armed only with book knowledge.

[dsm]

Re: NJ, worlds fastest oven build - NOT!!!

Ditto that ...books and the web go a long way when wanting to build something.

[jeeppiper]

Re: NJ, worlds fastest oven build - NOT!!!

I knew I needed a permit for my township; I asked the same question to our Zoning guy. "How far from the house do I need to be?" (I was planning 15 feet).

Zoning Guy said, "Well, there really isn't a requirement...more is obviously better. But if you really need an answer, I would have to ask the Fire Marshal...and I know his response will be 35 feet....so if you want me to ask him, I will....."

I kept my mouth shut after that.

[Jaronimo]

Re: NJ, worlds fastest oven build - NOT!!!

Permits and zoning are kind of funny. My town did not require a permit for this oven, they also did not have a set number of feet away from any structures. But I swapped out my kitchen sink going from an ugly stainless steel double bowl sink to a nicer looking single bowl sink, and I needed a permit. Seriously?

Zoning laws are funny. No you cannot do this due to zoning laws, but you can get a variance and we will change the law just for you. So then why even have a law?

I spoke with a fire marshal from another nearby town. He said he could probably find out the exact distance I need to be away from any structure to make this safe. Safe, I asked? I have seen these put inside peoples kitchens. If it has to be a certain distance away, how is that safe?

What you are going to find with permits and zoning is that most inspectors do the same thing over and over again. When someone comes in and does something they have never seen, like a pizza oven, they instantly go into CYA mode. Which with all the litigious people in this society, CYA is often a good move. many municipalities do not have ordinances for pizza ovens, so they find the next closest thing, outdoor bbqs, or firepits. But an oven screws it up because it is not an open fire.

Sometimes the answer is to keep quiet.

[Jaronimo]

Re: NJ, worlds fastest oven build - NOT!!!

Added a copper colored Weber to my collection. Now everything matches!