42" Pompeii oven in Gloucester, Virginia.

[Yannick]

Re: 42" Pompeii oven in Gloucester, Virginia.

ok, so today I redid my IT and made it adjustable. Nothing fancy, just a piece of wood that glides, fastened by a butterfly nut.
I also completed the first layer of tapered bricks. What a joy to cut bricks.
I also made the entrance wall.
For my next step, I am not exactly sure if I should do the arch first or run another layer of bricks on the dome.
So far I am happy with the progress.
I am not looking for a master piece, but something functional that will bake nicely and not collapse for a few years.

[Yannick]

Re: 42" Pompeii oven in Gloucester, Virginia.

Here is a little update of my oven.
Today I started on the 5th layer. The angle is about 45 degrees.
I am figuring out the dome to arch as I go.

[NCMan]

Re: 42" Pompeii oven in Gloucester, Virginia.

Making nice progress there, Yannick. Can you smell the pizza yet?

[Yannick]

Re: 42" Pompeii oven in Gloucester, Virginia.

oh man, I can't wait to fire up this baby.

[Yannick]

Re: 42" Pompeii oven in Gloucester, Virginia.

Here is a little update on my project.
I'm getting close to closing the dome. It's exciting.
I'm using scrap bricks to do the 11th course since they are narrower.
Not sure if I will fit through the arch to clean up the inside of the dome...
Flue wize, I will use clay ones.
Any size recommendation? I can find 8x8 (outside), 8x12, and I think 12x12 or 13x13.

[Yannick]

Re: 42" Pompeii oven in Gloucester, Virginia.

I bought an 8x12 clay flue. I needed it for measurement and planning purposes.
Today I had to remove my IT. I wanted to place a gym ball in the oven to help with the last bricks but my ball has holes in it. So I went to plan B, using a car jack and basketball. I'm super excited.
Once I place the last brick on the dome I will redo my arch form to take in consideration the wider opening of the front.

[Yannick]

Re: 42" Pompeii oven in Gloucester, Virginia.

Here is my little update.
I finally plugged the dome friday night! That was such a great sense of accomplishment.
For the plug, I had to cut a brick in half and cement the 2 halves to each other to get the proper width.
The Heat Stop held during the cutting. Good sign.
Today I redid my arch form to accommodate the wider entry size.
For the chimney funnel, I think I will go with with a 35 degree angle. (picture 5)

I traced the outline on the arch, does that look about right?

[hubert_s]

Re: 42" Pompeii oven in Gloucester, Virginia.

Congratulations on closing the dome! Looks great.

[Yannick]

Re: 42" Pompeii oven in Gloucester, Virginia.

Thanks Hubert. Yours looks better but I take the compliment.

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: 42" Pompeii oven in Gloucester, Virginia.

Kudos on plugging the dome.

[Yannick]

Re: 42" Pompeii oven in Gloucester, Virginia.

Thanks UtahBeehiver

[NCMan]

Re: 42" Pompeii oven in Gloucester, Virginia.

Great job! Pretty soon you'll be crankin' out some pizzas!! Congrats.

[Yannick]

Re: 42" Pompeii oven in Gloucester, Virginia.

Today I received 3 boxes of ceramic blanket from DS Industries. I paid $192 with shipping.
Got my pizza peel and brush/scraper yesterday with a couple of olive oil pourers.
Things are coming together.
Just need for the rain to stop so I can continue the front arch!
Pizza dough is in proofing in the refrigerator for this weekend (on the grill, not the brick oven yet)

[Yannick]

Re: 42" Pompeii oven in Gloucester, Virginia.

Here is a little update.
I finished the front arch and started the base for the ceramic flue.
I had 2 lamps in the oven for about 3 weeks now. I think most of the moisture is out of the dome by now. What do you think?

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: 42" Pompeii oven in Gloucester, Virginia.

What temps were you seeing, maybe 150-160 F??. Next step try some charcoal a couple times, that will get you to abt 250 and it is an even temp, no wild swings like a wood fire would do, then small fires. Good luck.