Dave's Pics of Progress

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Hey Dave, what does it look like with cracking on the dome after your big fires? Did your mending work?

I'm busy watching tiny little whisps of smoke come out of the top of my dome as we speak... nothing that has me seriously worried, but any tips you have would be welcome.

Oh, and how do you make homemade saussage? Sounds great!

I have a few cracks. The largest crack is about 3/16ths of an inch wide, and as long as one brick. It is in my soldier course, which really surprised me.
There are a few more, on the left side of my dome, that are just big enough to see fire through when it's raging.

I fired it up again last night for pizza. I wanted to push it one more time to see if I could cause anymore cracks before insulating and finishing it.

My idea is to fill the cracks with hi-temp caulk. It is specifically made for caulking firebricks or fireplaces. It cost about 3 bucks at Lowe's. So I'm gonna caulk it tonight. Let it dry this week. And fire that puppy up on the weekend. Then I should be able to tell you more.

What curing fire are you on?
And how is that mortar doing? Is it getting really hard?

[Frances]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Hey Dave, what does it look like with cracking on the dome after your big fires? Did your mending work?

I'm busy watching tiny little whisps of smoke come out of the top of my dome as we speak... nothing that has me seriously worried, but any tips you have would be welcome.

Oh, and how do you make homemade saussage? Sounds great!

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Thanks Acoma

I still have to insulate and decorate.

[Acoma]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Dave, now I can say "Congrat's". You have done it. You stud. hard work and within amazing budget. For the family of 8, you will feed them well! And the guest of many, don't forget.

[Acoma]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Dave, that sounds SOOOO awsome!!!!

I can't wait to get that far! Today I'll do the first fire pics, and pizzas are planned for next weekend. The dome GLOWS, huh? cooooooool!!!

Frances, was this to be the first flame? If so, remember the 100, 200, 300.. to 700 philosopy. Don't go big on flames immediately.

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

The first pizza.

Just put in the oven.



Now about half way done.



Just about there.



And finally the finished pizza.





I topped it with red onion, peppers, pepperoni, homemade sausage, and fresh mushrooms.

It was really tasty.

and George, I forgot the olive oil! ding dong ding.
sometimes.... But I won't next time! Thanks for reminding me!

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Here are those promised pics.


First the oven firing!





I tried to catch the glowing best as I could.





It sure is cool when it starts to turn white.

[gjbingham]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Congrats Dave,
Don't forget the olive oil drizzled on the pizza just after it comes out of the oven.
I'd love to see pics of that thing glowing!
George

[sarah h]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

" ... first the mortar ... then a few bricks ... "

- I can close my eyes and see it!
I'll echo Frances' comment - cooooooool!!! Where are the pizza pics?

Keep having fun, Dave!!

[Frances]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Dave, that sounds SOOOO awsome!!!!

I can't wait to get that far! Today I'll do the first fire pics, and pizzas are planned for next weekend. The dome GLOWS, huh? cooooooool!!!

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

First pizza s tonite!


I thought a white dome was just that... white.

But man that sucker glowed!! crazy! First the mortar started to glow, then a few bricks... then a bunch!


Fire management... tough stuff... LOTS of wood!

But oh .. the pizza ......... just awesome!

probably 5 minute pies , but oh
so tasty!

I guess it is a huge learning curve!

I appreciate all the help from everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Acoma]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Dave, patience...patience...patience... If you can make it to 23 pages, you can get to the finish line. You have done an amazing job.

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Well..I decided to push the oven last night.
I had previously lit four curing fires.

Last night I turned it up a notch.

I did sustain a few cracks.

One on the side(just the outside, it doesn't go all the way through) and 1 on each arch...these two are a bit more substantial.

Shouldn't be a problem though. The dome sure is black! The mortar is a lighter gray though. It looks pretty cool!

I got some hi-temp chimney caulk so I will fix the cracks with that.

I also got my transition and chimney today.
I will post a few pics later!

We are gonna try some pizza tonite, the dough is raising as I type.

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

WOW! Super vent, dome looks great and a fire already!!
I'm huffing and puffing to catch up!

I feel ya breathing down my neck!

I think I just saw a picture of your last course.

I have to go look!

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

way to go Dave! I tried to remove my arch form on Tuesday and it was a super tight fit...while I was trying to remove it I noticed a brick had come loose from the mortar. I ripped the whole arch out and Im starting over. This time, Ill use a shim of sorts to slightly lift the form before mortaring it all in place. So what is the first pizza gonna be? Cheeze only? Pepperoni?

Homemade Italian sausage and mushrooms

my fav!

I feel your pain about the arch.
A couple shims that pull out easily should help ya there.

The sad part was that I liked my first arch better! So make sure you like your second arch better than your first!