IT guy building a 39'' oven

[mrchipster]

Re: IT guy building a 39'' oven

That would all depend on if and when the builder considers their oven DONE!!

I still have things I want to do but mine has been fully functional for almost 4 years.

[RandyJ]

Re: IT guy building a 39'' oven

Good point. What is really considered done I guess it is all just a point of view. So many years.

Randy

[Alexandru Duma]

Re: IT guy building a 39'' oven

Well, as long as you enjoy it I don't think it matters how long it takes, it's certainly not a race. For me the rush was generated by the fact that I have to give back the cutting machine in 6 weeks (5 have past, have only 1 left to finish the entry arch).

[Alexandru Duma]

Re: IT guy building a 39'' oven

Oh, it seems my posts don't have to be moderated anymore! Yey, I don't have a 1 week lag anymore Thanks admins!

Please check page 1 of the thread, the posts with the build were approved and are now visible.

[Alexandru Duma]

Re: IT guy building a 39'' oven

Now, about the heat break, I really like the design Chip posted on Randy's thread. But I have some questions:
- by SS you mean stainless steal and not soapstone, right?
- how thick does it need to be?
- why go with this and not leave the bricks visible?
- the fact that the plate sits on top of the bricks so there is a difference in height between that and the oven floor doesn't poses any inconveniences? I am thinking of shaving the bricks under it so that at the end it will sit at the same level as the oven floor.

[Sharkey]

Re: IT guy building a 39'' oven

That is a great looking dome. I love the photo from inside looking up - I think every oven is different and could be identified by a photo like that, like a fingerprint.

The whole plan and also the location looks great.

I too am an IT guy and have done a lot of very non-IT work to build my oven. In fact my wife regularly describes my work as "Not bad for an IT nerd".

As far as the record for longest build goes I think mine is up there. I started on September 19th 2009 and have about 80% finished. Of course the oven and area is functional and gets used A LOT, but there is still plenty to be done before it is finished.

[Alexandru Duma]

Re: IT guy building a 39'' oven

Thanks Sharkey, your build was awesome, I had a good time reading it (twice).

Seems a lot of IT guys are building ovens, Darin also has a great oven.

[RandyJ]

Re: IT guy building a 39'' oven

You do want to shave the bricks down so that the stainless sits at the same level as the rest of the floor. It is there for a heat break and protecting the entry and insulating fire bricks.

Randy

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: IT guy building a 39'' oven

Alex,

Just caught up on your build. It is easy to see how much care and attention to detail you have put into your oven. Simply magnificent.

Regarding your entryway heat break, you may want to simplify the gap and eliminate the 'thumb-like' protrusion, which is prone to crack from thermal cycling. I originally had this same design but changed when TScar and Les convinced me a 1/4" air gap is sufficient. The bricks on the inside of my arch just barely touch the oven arch, and the outside gap is filled with Inswool refractory caulk.

John

[Alexandru Duma]

Re: IT guy building a 39'' oven

John, hearing this from you just made my day! I have been reading your thread inside out and it's your design that I am trying to replicate. If I do a job half as good as yours I will be truly satisfied. You will see next that I am copying also the entry arch

About the heat break, I think I will leave a 8mm gap (1/3'') and stick in there a ceramic rope, I think the pressure is enough to keep it in place, maybe just to be sure I will cut a little the inner arch so that the rope will fit in there... will see how it goes this weekend.

About the entry arch, I mad my calculations in Solidworks, here are some screenshots:

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: IT guy building a 39'' oven

Alex,

I think the 8mm gap will work a treat as well as the ceramic rope. I recommend you do not leave an inside gap between entryway and oven arches for oven heat/gasses which will deteriorate the rope over time.

I am envious of your Solidworks designs, which look comprehensive and well-thought out. Building the entryway should go fairly quickly for you. You will be happy with this design's performance as it gives oven smoke/gasses every opportunity to exit up the flue rather than out the front of the oven.

BTW- Congrats on your new son! May he learn to love pizza and the wonderful dishes you and your oven will certainly provide.

John

[Alexandru Duma]

Re: IT guy building a 39'' oven

Thanks John, this is our first child and having him around is such a bless

Solidworks is a great tool, I know enough to build shapes like that but I am only using it at 0.00001%. I mean you can design airplanes with it!

Friday's progress, got all my bricks cut:

[Alexandru Duma]

Re: IT guy building a 39'' oven

Saturday I worked all day, first I cut a little groove into my arch to hold my ceramic rope. Not deep, only 2-3 mm. The entry arch bricks will press on the rope and seal the gap. This will leave an inside and outside gap of about 4-5 mm between the oven arch and entry arch. About rope deteriorating, not sure... I mean I have the same rope at my wood burning boiler to seal the doors. The inside part is in direct contact with the fire, 8 hours/day in winter and this is my 4th year. And is still in great shape.



Then on a piece of plywood I pre-fitted almost all my entry:



And now with mortar:

[Alexandru Duma]

Re: IT guy building a 39'' oven

And the end result:



I still have a little to do today, I need to cut the bricks that will form the flue base. Tuesday is last day before I need to give the cutting machine back, so I need to do the floor heat break. I left that last because I really wanted to have the entry arch done now and not wait 2-3 more weeks until I can get the machine back.

[Greenman]

Re: IT guy building a 39'' oven

That looks great Alex. Your attention to detail is obvious and it a pleasure to see. very interested to follow your build.