36+ Pompeii in St. Louis

[bobmurphy]

Re: 36+ Pompeii in St. Louis

I used cement board under my slab. I didn't feel like messing with the plywood. It seemed a lot easier to place the board and just leave it there. I have a divided base, but I still used a little shoring under the cement board.

[merk]

Re: 36+ Pompeii in St. Louis

I used cement board under my slab. I didn't feel like messing with the plywood. It seemed a lot easier to place the board and just leave it there. I have a divided base, but I still used a little shoring under the cement board.

My problem is that i used HardieBacker and not something intended for exterior use. I see your photos and I did it the same way (laid the board on TOP of block wall with room for concrete to surround the edges as it is poured).

I don't want this stuff to disintegrate under the hearth in 5 years so I'm leaning toward busting it out.

[stonecutter]

Re: 36+ Pompeii in St. Louis

Just cut it with an angle grinder after you brace it from the bottom...then remove it afteryou pour the slab.

[merk]

Re: 36+ Pompeii in St. Louis

Not too much progress over the weekend. We mostly worked on landscaping before winter hits. The larger patio requires us to transplant a bunch of plants.

The HardieBacker thing was bugging me so I popped it out and went with plywood. It came right out with a few taps of the sledgehammer. The whole thing took me about 2 hours so I'm happy and won't worry about. In STL I'm sure that board would experience the full range of temps and humidity. I'd rather have it right and move on. [Note: you can see the glue that was holding the backer board. that is not caulking]

Next, the contractor/neighbor is pouring the hearth slab. I gave him the green light this morning and he acts fast.

Question: Should we do a slope/grade on the hearth slab? Being in STL this oven will see some weather. As I said before, I want to avoid doing an enclosure/roof so should we do a 1% grade? if so, which direction etc? Any input is appreciated!

Matt

[merk]

Re: 36+ Pompeii in St. Louis

LOL. Contractor arrived about 30 minutes after my previous post. Hearth might be poured this afternoon.

[Bookemdanno]

Re: 36+ Pompeii in St. Louis

If the Concrete slab is your finished surface, then i'd set a fall outwards from the centre to all sides.

[merk]

Re: 36+ Pompeii in St. Louis

Concrete forms work today (contractor)

[merk]

Re: 36+ Pompeii in St. Louis

The guys poured the hearth and patio curb today

[hodgey1]

Re: 36+ Pompeii in St. Louis

Merk
Stand looks great. What size and style oven are you going to build?

[merk]

Re: 36+ Pompeii in St. Louis

Merk
Stand looks great. What size and style oven are you going to build?

Hi Chris

Thanks. Planning on igloo style I think. The hearth width comes to 62.5" so I'm going to build the biggest oven i can fit on that.

M

[bobmurphy]

Re: 36+ Pompeii in St. Louis

Must be nice to have a cement contractor for a neighbor.

[merk]

Re: 36+ Pompeii in St. Louis

Hearth slab is finished. Now we focus on the patio. There won't be much progress on the oven for a while.

[bobmurphy]

Re: 36+ Pompeii in St. Louis

Very nice looking foundation and hearth slab. You have more self control than me. I also have a patio planned, but the oven construction is the priority. I can't wait to start cooking! The rest of the project will come along later.

[Gulf]

Re: 36+ Pompeii in St. Louis

Hearth slab is finished. Now we focus on the patio. There won't be much progress on the oven for a while.

Like Bob, I think that you have more patience than me .

I'm not sure about your particular layout. But, the oven construction, from here to finish, can still be a little messy. Completing the oven first, may keep you from having to cover that pretty patio floor in order to finish it. Also, you can be enjoying some of the great treats from her while the "less important" stuff gets done .

[merk]

Re: 36+ Pompeii in St. Louis

No action on the oven. The patio project has been the priority lately and we are rushing to beat the first winter storm in St. Louis which should arrive in the next 24 hours or so.

It took me forever to pick out pavers. In the end, herringbone pattern with holland stone won out. Wanted it to match the oven floor a bit