Dover, Pa 42" Pompeii

[Bubb]

I'd like to thank this forum for all the support, and
Encouragement. This has been a great fun project.
If your thinking about trying one, do it! It looks finished
but I gotta make bottom door and some finish pointing.
Starting curing fires tonight. Can't wait to taste that first
Pizza...

[boerwarrior]

Re: Dover, Pa 42" Pompeii

Very nice!! Congratulations! Make sure you go slow with the curing fires,

[Bubb]

Re: Dover, Pa 42" Pompeii

I'm starting tonight Wed, Thursday Friday, Saturday threw day.
Hope to cook Saturday night. I don't plan
on going super hot either. Planning on 200,300,400
500 on Saturday! I don't need a pizza in 60 seconds.
I can wait 5 minutes or longer!

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: Dover, Pa 42" Pompeii

Bubb,

Start with a bag of charcoal, easy to control temp, easy to spread around, then cook something as well. This will get your oven in the mid 200 range. Fires are more problematic in controlling temps 300 quickly becomes 700 with on piece of wood.

[Bubb]

Re: Dover, Pa 42" Pompeii

How big of the pile of charcoal do you use
to start with? Did you count out brigkets?

[jeeppiper]

Re: Dover, Pa 42" Pompeii

Very Nice!!! Clean, yet elegant design. Nice stone and brick work too.

[Bubb]

Re: Dover, Pa 42" Pompeii

Thanks, that was the plan. I had a lot of ideas
to choose from on here. I picked what I like,
And went for it!

[Bubb]

Re: Dover, Pa 42" Pompeii

Did my first newspaper burn tonight and
Chimney drew very good! Little or no smoke
Came out the front. Tomorrow small fire with
One small board for 300• My dome has been
Done for quit a few weeks and stucco covered
For about 3 weeks. But I'm still being careful! No
Big long fires yet.

[Bubb]

Re: Dover, Pa 42" Pompeii

[cobblerdave]

Re: Dover, Pa 42" Pompeii

G'day Bub
Congrats on the finished result. Thats the look you showed us with the pic and that's what you did. Well done
Regards dave

[Bubb]

Re: Dover, Pa 42" Pompeii

When making curing fires I'm pointing lazer
At back wall mid height? I'm doing two firings
A day. 6:30 am 12 hours later 6:30 pm does
Anybody see problem with that? I did 200 this morning
Going for 300 tonight? Really want to cook pizza
Saturday night just a few 2-3

[cobblerdave]

Re: Dover, Pa 42" Pompeii

G'day Bub
My dome is old school now. Built to a ply form. Some two weeks after the dome was completed I made some dough and burnt the ply out. Extra wood and cooked some pizza. No insulation either I might add .
Best 9 minute pizza I'd ever had and the oven didn't crack
You got to be realistic except that you can't just do a. 500C 90 secound pizza so early and enjoy a good pizza at a lower temperature. Build up to it and get some practice cooking as you go
Regards dave

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: Dover, Pa 42" Pompeii

Bubb,

What ever method you do the key is patience and gradual temps. If the oven is going to crack then it is going to crack but not the end of the world. Good luck and nice end product.

[Bubb]

Re: Dover, Pa 42" Pompeii

Yea that's what I'm thinking. If I can get up
To and maintain 500• I can make a pizza Saturday night. I don't need to
have it in 90 seconds!! I'm planning on taking it slow. But
Thought it was funny the 200 degree fire this morning looked
small in that dome. I won't be making a barn fire in it anytime soon
If ever. I'll always bring it up slow and only up to the temp I need ....

[Greenman]

Re: Dover, Pa 42" Pompeii

The only problem with just bringing it up to the operating temp is that your dome will not be saturated. Once I have the dome saturated I use it each day and put some more fire in it before I close it down again for the night. I usually have 300C late in the afternoon of the next day to start cooking dinner.

I use very little wood to top it up each evening, probably about 4 or 5 pieces.