Mike's Northern Virginia Build

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: Mike's Northern Virginia Build

Coming along nicely. I would leave the plastic on so the concrete can cure slowly. You'r in business to start the oven.

[Mdog91]

Re: Mike's Northern Virginia Build

Finally got some work done on the base. Every other core was filled with concrete and rebar, then I framed up the hearth slab. My base wasn't quite as level as I thought, so I made sure it was very level for the slab. I wanted to raise the height of the cooking floor up a bit so I poured a slightly thicker slab than normal. My slab goes from 4.5 to 5 inches (to make it perfectly level all around).
with the 2" FB board and the 2.5" firebrick, the floor will be perfect elbow height, it "feels" comfortable to me.

Here are a few pictures, sorry about the sun/shade lines in the one.

I have to go out of town for a few days and we are expecting rain, the slab is hard already, is there any problem leaving the plastic on it? I can't mist it everyday, so I am wondering if I should leave it covered with plastic or just uncover it.

I can 't wait to start on the actual oven, hopefully this weekend.

[Mdog91]

Re: Mike's Northern Virginia Build

Thanks CV_Oven.

The base is ready for the cores to be filled and hearth slab to be poured. I hope to have it framed and poured in the next few days depending on the weather.

I used angle iron on the front span, and cut the concrete blocks for it to fit flush. I am pretty happy how it has turned out so far.

The plan is for 3.5" slab and then 2" of FB board.

Some pics of the base

[CV_Oven]

Re: Mike's Northern Virginia Build

Having rebar from the base slab up though the CMU's and then bent across in the hearth section is the ticket. BUT, no worries about simply cutting and wiring together at 90 degree angles, won't be a deal breaker. That's what we did and everything is still good to go.

[Mdog91]

Re: Mike's Northern Virginia Build

Leveled the base course with mortar yesterday. Dry stacked the rest today. Happy to report it is square and pretty level.

The FB plans just show concrete with rebar in every other core, the rebar is straight and looks like it sticks up about 1.5 - 2 inches. The hearth grid is also straight rebar that is tied together and tied to the core rebar.

A lot of the builds on this site have bent rebar from the cores to the hearth grid.

I have 10' sections of 1/2" rebar and do not have a bender, I don't even have a pipe to attempt it with.

Is there anything wrong with the rebar being straight and just tied together?

[Mdog91]

Re: Mike's Northern Virginia Build

I am going to set and level the first course of block with mortar today.

How long do I need to wait before I dry stack the remaining base blocks? I do not intend to mortar anything except the first course. Thanks.

[Mdog91]

Re: Mike's Northern Virginia Build

Received my material delivery today, still need to get some 8"blocks (or cut a few). Did a quick layout of the base and think I have settled on it. I know ATK406 and a few others advocate some additional storage and I appreciate the suggestion. Picture 3 is right next to the oven and is where I will store the majority of my wood. Due to the appearance of the oven from the neighbors point of view (left side), I think I will just have a small opening in the front for a few fires worth of wood. Picture 1 is the basic layout and will have a 56x70 hearth slab so I will proceed with a 36" build! Whoo Hoo! Picture 2 shows the layout from above, the rear triangle will remain open to the top and will store an ash can and some tools or a wood splitting block.

The forecast is for rain the next three days, so I will have to wait to level and mortar the base course. I will work on an OSB oven floor layout and attempt to build an IT or plywood form in the meantime.

Thanks for the feedback, love this forum, so much information here! Like many others before they started, I have never laid a brick before. This forum gives me the confidence that I will be able to complete this oven and finally enjoy some great pizza from home

[Mdog91]

Re: Mike's Northern Virginia Build

Inside of inner arch. Use your IT to define intersecting points.

Thanks, great picture explanation!......That makes the design of the mock up easier. I thought I saw that picture while reviewing your build in the past, but couldn't recall it as I sketched out my layout.


Concrete blocks and cement mix, and other supplies are getting delivered tomorrow (I have a small VW Golf.....), can't wait to start building.

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: Mike's Northern Virginia Build

Inside of inner arch. Use your IT to define intersecting points.

[Mdog91]

Re: Mike's Northern Virginia Build

Thanks for all the feedback. Sounds like a 36" is the way to go as long as I can fit it the way that I want to.

Two questions......

Where is the vent opening measured along the dome? I imagine that it is measured along the inside edge. Is this correct? The recommended opening for the 36" is 19 inches wide, and I want to make sure I have it aligned and laid out properly.....

I think I can fit a 36" on a 56"x66" hearth slab and still make it an enclosed oven if I strategically place the studs. With 3" of insulation, I calculate 2.5" per side for the stud/durock at the closest edge of the oven. If the studs are placed in front or behind the widest point I think it should work. Has anyone built a 36" on narrower hearth slab?

Thanks!

[Greenman]

Re: Mike's Northern Virginia Build

Hey Mike - I made mine 36" and am happy with that. Were I to go again I would stick with that but no smaller.

[Mdog91]

Re: Mike's Northern Virginia Build

M Dog,

Nice start, curious, why 34", at least by my calcs you could go larger if you wish. Size of oven is always a hot topic on this forum.

Great question, I think I can go larger as well. I may go to 36" once I start playing around with the base blocks and such. My wife wants an enclosure with a doghouse or pitched roof, and I want to make sure I have the room for it to look right. Currently I am planning on leaving a 2" reveal on the left side of the foundation (will finish the enclosure with brick veneer), this will reduce the depth that I can go while keeping the enclosure "square' due to the retaining wall butting up against the right rear of the oven enclosure. Once I outline the block and begin to shift it around I will see how much room I actually have. I also think the vent and oven landing sizes in the plans are confusing me. The plans for a 36" tell me that I need 70" depth for a 6"vent and 12" landing (and the oven, insulation, walls etc). I am going to make a cardboard mock up and see what i can work out.

It wouldn't surprise me if I end up going with a 36" instead.

Thanks for the feedback.
Mike

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: Mike's Northern Virginia Build

M Dog,

Nice start, curious, why 34", at least by my calcs you could go larger if you wish. Size of oven is always a hot topic on this forum.

[ATK406]

Re: Mike's Northern Virginia Build

Finally getting started!! I also think I want to leave the left rear triangle area open from the top (no counter behind the enclosure) so I can store tools/and or an ash bucket out of view. Does this make sense?

Good idea there. I would encourage you to consider an entryway or cavity at the back of your oven base too. It hardly adds anything in material or the complexity of the build and would be very handy in the future. I regret building a long cavernous space underneith the oven with access from just one side - total waste of space.

Good Luck
AT

[Mdog91]

Re: Mike's Northern Virginia Build

Thanks Novaslo, yes there was plenty of beer slugging afterwards, well some during as well...

I attached a concept design that I found on the forum in the past (I apologize that I cannot remember who posted it and give them proper credit). I sure didn't create it. I am doing something similar, except I am doing a pitched roof on the oven and I will not have a sink and grill built in. I am putting my stand alone grill on the right end. The rest will be counter prep area. I will also be facing it with brick and plan slate tile counters like Les'.

You are correct, it is much larger than the pictures look. The dimensions are accurate on the sketch in my first post of this thread.