42" Pompeii Oven in Virginia

[mirassou]

Re: 42" Pompeii Oven in Virginia

Ah yes, I read in someone's post that they also used sand to prevent the bricks from moving on the fiber board.

[cobblerdave]

Re: 42" Pompeii Oven in Virginia

Have you gone with cutting the bricks in thirds? If so, what row did you start with?

Gudday
It will be above the arch before you have to worry about that.
It's going to be a little different dependent on the internal height of your oven as well.
For now the only thing I could suggest is to start your first brick of every row at the back of the oven that way when you have to cut a brick smaller as the rows circle tightens it can be located at the sides and front. If you do cut a brick smaller to keep the vertical bonds from lining up they will usually be around we're you did they for the previous row. Sometimes it will be better to go bigger at this point rather than getting smaller and smaller slithers.
One piece of advice which I wished I had know was at the completion of every row to set a single brick for the next row, do when you start the next you have something set to start off.
Hope something here helps
Regards dave

[cobblerdave]

Re: 42" Pompeii Oven in Virginia

Ah yes, I read in someone's post that they also used sand to prevent the bricks from moving on the fiber board.

Gudday
That boards a good flat surface and now you have contained the hearth with a ring of mortared brick your good. When the ovens used any gapes will be filled with ash and be locked in.
Using fire clay and sand slurry is a way to level the hearth brick on an pearlite cement surface that wouldn't be as smooth as the board.
Regards dave

[mirassou]

Re: 42" Pompeii Oven in Virginia

Thanks,
I'm actually getting 2-3 smaller bricks in the circle, due to mortar joints. I like the idea of the starter brick for the next row. I wonder if anyone has tried doing more than one row in a day.

[mirassou]

Re: 42" Pompeii Oven in Virginia

I used just sand to level the brick on the board. We have kyanite mines in VA and the kyanite sand is a by product of kyanite mining. It's a very fine sand that worked really well to level the bricks.

[stonecutter]

Re: 42" Pompeii Oven in Virginia

I build domes in 2.5 days in warm weather, 3.5 in cool /cold weather.

[mirassou]

Re: 42" Pompeii Oven in Virginia

Oh cool! What are the lowest temp limits for using mortar?

[stonecutter]

Re: 42" Pompeii Oven in Virginia

You can use mortar in low temperatures if you keep it from freezing until it cures. HS 50 will set faster than regular mortar, so the brick needs to e kept warmer than the freeze point. Consider tenting in and heating if neccessary. We built an enier oven in below freezing temps under a heated tent before. Everything set well.

[mirassou]

Re: 42" Pompeii Oven in Virginia

I'm hoping that I'll finish the oven before then...but working with the stone veneer on the outside of the foundation will likely go into the colder weather.

[mirassou]

Re: 42" Pompeii Oven in Virginia

I bought enough blanket for three layers of insulation over the dome. The plans indicate that a vermiculite layer isn't necessary with three layers. What are everyone's thoughts?

[cobblerdave]

Re: 42" Pompeii Oven in Virginia

Gudday
Pearlite cement is a sh$t to play with and introduces more moisture into your built that has to be dried out. I have dry insulation and it wasn't that hard to stucco over and achieve a good shape with a few layers.
If your enclosing the dome I would probably just chicken wire it over to hold it in place and pearlite the space . But I never have had any experience with enclosed ovens so you might follow the advice of someone with direct experience.

[mirassou]

Re: 42" Pompeii Oven in Virginia

Finally finished another row...I should be growing mushrooms with this weather. I feel like one.

[Faith In Virginia]

Re: 42" Pompeii Oven in Virginia

I would fix that flat spot. Where the oven meets the arch. That is one of my do-overs that I wish I did on my oven. That flat spot catches everything like ash and coals when trying to clean out. So do your self a favor and nip off those corners now while you still can.

[mirassou]

Re: 42" Pompeii Oven in Virginia

Hi Faith,
Do you mean that corner when looking outward from inside the oven? I think I understand what you're saying...just cut those corners so that ash doesn't get caught to the left and right of them right?
Thanks,
Paul

[mirassou]

Re: 42" Pompeii Oven in Virginia

Also, any ideas where to put a thermal break?