Zeeland, Mi 42" Oven Build

[irelande5]

Re: Zeeland, Mi 42" Oven Build

congrats, I remember too wondering if my oven would just collapse, or even work right after all that work. I really enjoyed getting it up to full temp and buring off the soot on the bricks, turning them almost white. great job, enjoy it!

[Capt]

Re: Zeeland, Mi 42" Oven Build

Looks great! My wife doesn't eat pizza, so I always have a cast iron pan in there with either venison or elk steaks for her.

Good luck with it, keep us posted on your meals!

[thak4]

Re: Zeeland, Mi 42" Oven Build

Finished the cure a few weeks ago now. Cooked the first pizza too! What a relief when saw the first pizza come out of the oven. All of that work payed off finally!

Was originally going to just go with stucco to cover the oven but the wife decided that she wanted something different so we went with a natural stone veneer. Took a bit but I finally finished covering the dome with it yesterday. I won't be able to do the stand until next spring since we ran out of warm days here in Michigan now. About the last thing I'll be able to do this year is find a piece of granite or marble for the entryway. Should be ale to pick that up at a resale store on Monday.

It's a blast cooking in the oven. Was actually able to use the huge cast iron pan my wife bout me a couple of years ago for the camp fire. Made a rather tasty pork loin in it tonight. Let the fun begin!!

[thak4]

Re: Zeeland, Mi 42" Oven Build

I think your use of what appears to be some plastic ball in making the dome is great

It was a 55 cm exercise ball. Makes the last few rows easier though does involve some extra clean up when you deflate the ball.

[irelande5]

Re: Zeeland, Mi 42" Oven Build

congrats on getting your first fire! i enjoyed the build process, but getting a roaring fire and making 20 pizzas and not having it collapse really makes it! enjoy!

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: Zeeland, Mi 42" Oven Build

Congrats on the first fire.........

[fred.collins]

Re: Zeeland, Mi 42" Oven Build

I think your use of what appears to be some plastic ball in making the dome is great

[thak4]

Re: Zeeland, Mi 42" Oven Build

Finished the dome and entrance last week. Been so busy though I haven't had time to post pictures since then. Ended up using an exercise ball for the last few courses of bricks. Made putting the bricks in easier at the end but did make cleaning the inside up a little more difficult. Luckily I had some help with the cleaning.

The first cure fire was great. Finally after all that work I was able to see a glimpse of things to come. What a great feeling. Started my second cure fire today. So far no cracks but I expect a few here before I am done.

I still have the clay flue left to put on. Wanted to wait a few days after the entrance was done then was too busy to touch the oven this past week. Now I'm trying to decide if I want to put it on Tuesday on my day off or wait till the oven is completely cured.

[thak4]

Re: Zeeland, Mi 42" Oven Build

Looking nice! We are gonna be turning out a lot of pizzas here in Michigan this fall!

I hope so! Have a lot of friends who want to come have some. Would hate to disappoint them!

[thak4]

Re: Zeeland, Mi 42" Oven Build

I have one more row and then I'll have to decide. Might try the sticks and see if I can hold off gravity for a row longer before using the ball. I'm up against a Michigan winter unfortunately and need to get it done soon.

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: Zeeland, Mi 42" Oven Build

szv9n5,

I tried using a plywood disk held up with a car jack, concept work great with the exception, like an excercise ball you cannot inspect mortar joints until dry or removed. I eventually went back to my IT and sticks, took my time. For me it worked out better. The two different techniques are shown in my picassa log. Good luck.

[Capt]

Re: Zeeland, Mi 42" Oven Build

Looking nice! We are gonna be turning out a lot of pizzas here in Michigan this fall!

[szv9n5]

Re: Zeeland, Mi 42" Oven Build

The issue with the exercise ball is that I was afraid to remove it until the mortar cured for a day....by then it had cured enough that it could not be cleaned with a sponge and water like the rest. It left a lot of mortar at the very top of the inside of the dome. However, now that I am doing the curing fires the entire top of the dome has turned black and you cannot even see it. So, I wouldn't worry about....the ball worked great for me.

The curing fires are going great. I did buy a infared thermometer....it has helped a lot.

Good luck....you will be there in no time.

[thak4]

Re: Zeeland, Mi 42" Oven Build

Thanks! I finished my 8th course yesterday. The next one might be a little tricky to hold in place. Not sure how I will hold them in place yet. Might try the weight method you used or pieces of wood to hold them in place. I'm going to go with the exercise ball also to hold the last few rows up. I'll have to see how bad it looks when it is done. Might have one of my nephew or nieces go in and clean things up for me. Will have to see how bad it is.

How is the oven cure going? I can't wait to get to that point.

[szv9n5]

Re: Zeeland, Mi 42" Oven Build

Looking real good. About now is when the bricks want to start falling in until they set up a bit. What is your plan for holding them in place? On about the 8th course I started cliping a weight on them and ran it down the outside of the dome...worked pretty good for a few courses. Then I went with the exercise ball for the last few. That worked well also but the drawback was not being able to clean up the inside joints.

Anyway, keep up the good work!