My UK build is out of the ground!

[vincentvega_uk]

Re: My UK build is out of the ground!

Firstly, thanks for the advice and opinions on this.

Bookemdanno - That was my first thought exactly, raise the floor to get more of the true dome shape back.
After reading Stonecutters advice, I wonder what the difference in time would be to get the oven floor to the correct temperature if I added a second layer of firebrick? As Stonecutter says, its adding more mass.
Im not concerned about the height difference between floor and vault area if I did this as I can raise that area too.

My other option is to build a smaller arch inside my current arch using cut down fire brick. Reduce the height down to 12" or so. I know it would be difficult to do, but it could be done. This would reduce the opening size, but would also throw the 63% rule. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks Cobblerdave, I do realise every oven is unique, and the difference in my build may not be a big deal, it will still work. After all I know my opening is larger than standard, but it still complies with the 63% rule.

Thanks again all, if I am going to alter something, add another layer to the floor or reduce my arch, now is the time, as when my vault and outer arch is built it will be very difficult to change anything.


Cheers

Allan

[cobblerdave]

Re: My UK build is out of the ground!

It is what it is, and yes it will work either way. The goal is the best efficiency possible, and a very large opening isn't as efficient as a smaller opening would be at containing heat. At this point, there isn't anything to do but continue, and it's no big deal anyway.

Gudday
That's the point really, "it's not a big deal anyway."
All , and I make the point again , All our ovens are that little bit different.
Not that you can notice really, because our ovens are the only ones we will ever really know well. I have friends with ovens , and yes I have opened my big mouth and said" we'll I would to it this way", but really I'm on foreign ground. The tunnel oven cooks multiple pizza because it owner can make it do that, he know his oven better. He would be fairly confused with the firing time with my own for baking.
I have a fair sized entrance, one of the reasons I went the angle iron path. I just experimenting with a "tuscan grill"recon your oven would suit it too.
Anyway on would and upward worry about that keystone
Regards dave

[stonecutter]

Re: My UK build is out of the ground!

Allan, if you found that your oven was losing heat at ridiculous levels. With your skills, you could obtain some more firebrick tiles from Kilnlinings (they do many sizes) and set a new floor to your oven, over the one thats there now. You know the internal diameter, so lay out on a suitable flat surface, scribe the tiles and lay them on a homebrew mortar again.

Retro fitting a layer of brick over an existing deck has a few draw backs.
First and foremost, since doing that adds a lot of mass to the floor, oven performance will be affected. Also, your transition areas, like the vent area and hearth, are in plane with the oven floor, so raising your oven floor creates a reveal along the bottom.

Something to keep in mind.

[Bookemdanno]

Re: My UK build is out of the ground!

Allan, if you found that your oven was losing heat at ridiculous levels. With your skills, you could obtain some more firebrick tiles from Kilnlinings (they do many sizes) and set a new floor to your oven, over the one thats there now. You know the internal diameter, so lay out on a suitable flat surface, scribe the tiles and lay them on a homebrew mortar again.
I have that method in my head for my oven, if the quarry and storage heater brick hearth ever breaks up. But i'd dig the old stuff out.

Very nice work sir!

[stonecutter]

Re: My UK build is out of the ground!

The door is 63% of the overall height, but I know where the problem/issue is, and now hoping the oven will still be fine.
The issue is that I have begun my dome shape of the first ring of vertical half bricks, not the oven floor. So in essence my dome is half a brick taller then it is wide.

Dimensions are, 40" width, 24" high.
Opening is 14 3/4 high, 22" wide.
All measurements taken of firebrick floor.

I do realise now that that seems quite large compared to most on here, but it is still 63%, its that my dome is raised on the first course I guess.

Any thoughts?

Cheers

Allan

It is what it is, and yes it will work either way. The goal is the best efficiency possible, and a very large opening isn't as efficient as a smaller opening would be at containing heat. At this point, there isn't anything to do but continue, and it's no big deal anyway.

[mirassou]

Re: My UK build is out of the ground!

Beautiful!! Love the arch!

[vincentvega_uk]

Re: My UK build is out of the ground!

Todays efforts, closing of the dome.

Cheers

Allan

[vincentvega_uk]

Re: My UK build is out of the ground!

Thanks for the advice guys, always welcome!!

Allan

[vincentvega_uk]

Re: My UK build is out of the ground!

The door is 63% of the overall height, but I know where the problem/issue is, and now hoping the oven will still be fine.
The issue is that I have begun my dome shape of the first ring of vertical half bricks, not the oven floor. So in essence my dome is half a brick taller then it is wide.

Dimensions are, 40" width, 24" high.
Opening is 14 3/4 high, 22" wide.
All measurements taken of firebrick floor.

I do realise now that that seems quite large compared to most on here, but it is still 63%, its that my dome is raised on the first course I guess.

Any thoughts?

Cheers

Allan

[Bookemdanno]

Re: My UK build is out of the ground!

either way...it'll still work.

[kbartman]

Re: My UK build is out of the ground!

As a point of reference, ideal range is 60%-64%

Thanks for the clarification cause mine ended up slightly more then the 63% that make me feel better.

[stonecutter]

Re: My UK build is out of the ground!

Allen,

Good luck with your build keep up the good work. I'm also seeing what stonecutter is, your arch does look a little high. Did you follow the golden rule max 63% of dome height?

As a point of reference, ideal range is 60%-64%

[kbartman]

Re: My UK build is out of the ground!

PS,
A floor break would do little good without a arch heat break also.

[kbartman]

Re: My UK build is out of the ground!

If I would like to install a fire break in the firebrick floor at the entry to the inner arch, what would I use to make the firebreak itself?

Cheers

Allan

I also wanted to do something for a thermal break. Of course I am not sure if this has any effect at all, but here is what I did. I did basically the same thing between the inner arch and the entry. Just a few cuts with the saw to lessen the surface area of contact. I'm sure it will fill with ashes, but still should help.

Allen,
Your building is coming along nicely, beautiful arch

Below is a link to my thread about my heat break. Now that I fired the oven and taken so data to measure the performance. I think it is performing nicely my oven was still 120F after seven days with only a piece of cement covering the opening. There is definitely a big temperature change across the break. I'm glad I took the time to incorporate the heat break. Do yourself a favor and put one in.

Good luck with your build keep up the good work. I'm also seeing what stonecutter is, your arch does look a little high. Did you follow the golden rule max 63% of dome height?

My floor heat break is blend of the those whom trodden before. I'm not sure how well it will perform, but it's better then nothing. I should had used a wider piece of stainless. it would have allowed a thicker section of insulating brick beneath. I ended up with only a one inch sliver of insulating brick. I thought about beveling the two types of brick but didn't thing I would gain much. Most of all the angle cuts would have been a nightmare of difficulty. So it is what it is. I can always put a wider insulating and stainless barrier later if I don't like how it performs.

I incorporated a ceramic fiber band like Gulf did, this should slow some of the heat transfer to the stainless and beyond. We will see......... I allowed the stainless tubing to be slightly higher than the surrounding bricks. This should keep the edges of the bricks from chipping. The square tubing has a nicely rounded corners the and any tool or pans etc... should glide over it easily I hope.

[stonecutter]

Re: My UK build is out of the ground!

Not trying to be a pain, but your oven opening appears to be too high and wide. If you please, what are the dimensions?