WFO Build in Connecticut

[flyfisherx]

Spring has finally sprung here in Connecticut. The "Why in the world am I doing this build has begun" While digging, I kept trying to figure out what caused me to start this endeavor. I felt like Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams "If you build it, they will come" I said that to my wife and she asks "Who are They" I said "I don't know " It is like I am motivated by some mysterious force? Who knows....anyway, I am enjoying myself! Tonight after work, I will place the rebar and screen to get ready for concrete mid week.

[Faith In Virginia]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

All of a sudden I've had this unexplainable urge to get in my car and drive. Don't know where I'll go but north east just feels right, perhaps Connecticut. I'm a pizza freak so I know I will search out the best pizza around.

Signed (THEY)

[flyfisherx]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

All of a sudden I've had this unexplainable urge to get in my car and drive. Don't know where I'll go but north east just feels right, perhaps Connecticut. I'm a pizza freak so I know I will search out the best pizza around.

Signed (THEY)

LOL Well if "They" show up I better have plenty of dough!!!

[Aegis]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

LOL Well if "They" show up I better have plenty of dough!!!

Congrats on the start of a long but satisfying journey! I too am back outside to finish the outside of my oven. I have some left over building supplies if you want to stop over and free cycle. Again congrats on your start and have a safe journey!
John

[flyfisherx]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

Thanks John. I am also finding out that this is also going to get expensive. Even though I thought I acquired everything for at least the stand and the dome, I am finding that I needed a grinder to cut rebar and a new drill and of course it had to be the Dewalt hammer drill lithium ion 20volt
I am on my stand now and need to go out and get some angle iron to finish it off so I can start framing the hearth. I am always up to free cycle if you need to get rid of some excess supplies. PM me and let me know what you have.

Thanks again,
David

[flyfisherx]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

The weather warmed up again and I accomplished a little more. Thanks to John(Aegis) I needed a single cinder block to finish the stand and rebar that he graciously gave to me. I can't thank him enough. I had the privilege to see his oven in person. VERY beautiful with the slate roof and copper. He truly did an amazing job. I don't think I will even come close to his on outside appearance. Im not that patient. I just want functionality. Here are a few shots of where I am. 38 bags of 80lb concrete for the slab was not fun. I can't wait until the grunt work is done. I still need to fill the cores and construct my top forms for the hearth. I will get to that during the week.

[Mike D]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

Good start, but the grunt work doesn't really end, it just changes. Get your back ready to pour the top slab. Get some help.

Mike

[Aegis]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

Great Start Dave, Mike D. is correct, the grunt work never ends, it only pauses for arches and detail work, then its back to mixing mortar and laying brick, putting up flues/chimneys etc.
Great start! Keep up the good work!

[Aegis]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

Hey David,
I found the bag of fireclay, if you want it I'll keep it findable (is that a word?) So if you are in the area just give a shout and stop by to pick it up.
It is really from Pizza Oven Bob in oxford, he gave me a bag and a half. I only used the half bag.
Hope all is going well and you are getting some quality oven time in!
John

[flyfisherx]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

Thanks John. I will definitely give you a shout when I need it. Other chores have kept me from any further progress. I did get the lumber to frame out my hearth though. I will reach out maybe this next weekend.

Thanks

[Aegis]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

Thanks John. I will definitely give you a shout when I need it. Other chores have kept me from any further progress. I did get the lumber to frame out my hearth though. I will reach out maybe this next weekend.

Thanks

It will be here, so take your time.... no expiration date!

[flyfisherx]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

My FB board and blanket just arrived yesterday. I am ready to start building my dome. I am at a crossroads as to how I start my sailor course. I will be laying half bricks on their sides to keep my seams well staggered.

Do I build floor inside the sailor course?

Do I build dome on top of oven floor?

The plans say that it does not matter but the floor inside dome is more efficient.

Can anyone with experience chime in and help me out here?

[Faith In Virginia]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

You can do it either way. I think it's a mater of choice. But then you have some advantages for putting the floor on the inside of the dome. Like if you have a damaged brick under the dome it would be more difficult to fix. So with that you can ask how it would get damaged and if it's near the edge who cares. You can also think about any settling issues with your dome if the dome settles on your base and insulation it won't affect the floor but then again if you have the dome on top of the floor will that help with any settling issues. Going inside is more work, going under is easier.

I think I covered most of the pro's and con's of that subject... So the choice is yours. I cheated and have a double layer of fire brick, the low set is under and the upper set is inside.

Hope that helps. Faith

I don't think there is any right or wrong answer so pick one and stick with it...but don't look back.

[flyfisherx]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

I cheated and have a double layer of fire brick, the low set is under and the upper set is inside.

Thanks for the response. I like that Idea! I never thought of that!!! Sounds like a more structurally sound way to go. The bottom floor act as the foundation supporting the dome with an inside cooking floor for ease of brick maintenance if ever needed.

That's an awesome Idea.

Thanks

[Faith In Virginia]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

Now keep in mind that I have a bread oven and my oven mass is 7.5 inches in the floor and walls. I don't how an unequal amount of thermal mass between floor and walls would behave. I don't imagine very good. If you double layer your floor be sure it equals your wall thickness. extra thickness in the floor of a pizza oven will take that floor longer to heat up. Perhaps not something you want in a pizza oven that you cook bread in once in a while... So keep your floor the same thickness as your walls.