Acoma 42" Tuscan

[dusty]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Yea, you really seem to be zoomin'. If you didn't have to wait for cement to dry, you might be done by now! Nice work.
I know what you mean about the fuel costs... it may be about a wash. Especially because you will need a full size truck. I have a Toyota, but I live 2 miles from the brick yard. I bought 250 for $75 plus tax. I was suprized about the tax. I assumed that the "seconds" money just went into the beer fund or something.
Did you figure out the camera thing yet?

Keep up the good work,
dusty

[asudavew]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Did you figure out the camera thing yet?
dusty

Yeah, did ya?

Dave is ready for some pics too.!

[Acoma]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

I will figure out the camera issue tomorrow. I feel like all talk, sharing my views, but no views of my own progress. Well, this must change. First will be to pour the holes. I will also be purchasing supplies to set up the hearth section.

Dusty, did you have a photo of the quality bricks from the yard? I will find out locally the cost per brick. This could help with quick determination. Also, maybe we could hook up for a beer if I do, my treat.

[Acoma]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

The wall is now filled with concrete. Tarped for showers. Next is the concrete for hearth. Photos will be taken when I take the tarp off. I will also get the Picasa link for now so that photos can be seen as well.

[Acoma]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Ok Team, I am going nuts reading all these threads about thermocouples and placement. I need some of you that have used your K type and please show the placement with close up. I would like to see the thermocouple installed, especially where some of you have them going through the cement at the hearth for floor readings. I will be building the support area for cement for the hearth. The last thing I want to do is pour the cement, then find out I should have used a couple 3/8" copper tubing for holes for thermocouples to go through. I also wish to get the model types of the digital readers used, as well as the thermocouples and placements of both. This may sound retarded my asking, but I want to caution on those of you whom have done it. Please show me visuals. I will plan on 5 thermos (2-floor, 2 dome wall for saturation, 1- air reading in dome-best placement?).
I do hope to get response for this.

[Acoma]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Well, I have finally put my Picasa up. You can see some of the progress to the oven area, as well as some lovely family members. I have more to add. Next, to get pictures of Oven progress to the Gallery as well.
I will admit my disappointment that nobody has offered any information to assist on this Thermocouple step. I will take steps to do it right though. I have started to build the support for the hearth slab.

[TimAZ]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Very nice! Looks like quite a lot of other patio work going on as well. The view from the deck is fabulous! I especially like the before picture of the weber. Keep those pics coming.. Tim

[asudavew]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

I will admit my disappointment that nobody has offered any information to assist on this Thermocouple step. I will take steps to do it right though. I have started to build the support for the hearth slab.

I would be glad to help, but I couldn't find much info on thermocouples either.
But I think if you do more research than me on the web, you might be able to make heads or tales of it.

I was on the cheap, and I didn't figure I could afford the extra expense.
Sorry I can't help here, but your start looks really good!

Keep at it, and keep posting! So far so good!

[Les]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Robert,

I never seen the benefit of thermal couples. I am just going to buy a laser thermometer. Granted, it would be cool to see all the temps, all the time, but what does it serve. Just shoot the beam at the floor, if it's too cold, add wood. Our ancestors didn't have any of this and we did pretty well.

Les...

[biondoli]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Robert,
I think that your plan to put more thermocouples in you oven is not worth it looking at extra work and benefit you'll get. I have decided to go with laser and overall I do not like to make holes in the dome.
Once you get used to your oven you will know by looking into it when is the right time to bake bread rather cookies, baking in an oven is an art and after a while you will be a master! Ciao Carlo

[Acoma]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Thank you for your responses. I value each and every one. The reason that I want to use the thermocouples is that my wife's side of the family is Acoma (native american from N.M.), and they love to bake breads and Tamales
I agree with not needing them for anything else. I am going to have two 3/8" copper tubing up through the slab at approx. points within floor areas where they will go into the floor bricks. I plan to then route the two copper tubes to the left side where the digital box will be placed. I do not wish to have the digital box in frontal viewing area, especially when I will put so much work into quality craftmanship and wish to have it appreciated by others. I believe 5 will be plenty.
As of today, I have finished framing the inside of the hearth area, with tomorrow (early) being the outside hearth area framed. This will happen while I smoke one turkey (brining now with Sarah's recipe). My wife will not let me touch the other turkey (even though I am excellant with foods. We bought 8 extra turkeys for later festivities (we have extra freezer's).
I will post the new photos by this weekend. I owe TimAz photos of my Pizza Area and outdoor kitchen design, so he will se those on the Picasa as well. Sorry Tim for taking so long.

[CanuckJim]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Acoma,

So far as the placement of the readout panel is concerned, you might want to consider an approach similar to mine. Like you, I wasn't wild about the idea of digital numbers staring me and mine in the face while using the WFO, so I built a box and a small panelled door to hide it. Have a look at the attached, early, pic that was taken before much more cosmetic work was done.

Jim

[Acoma]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Jim, I had looked at yours, but my question to you is when you are baking, how frequently do you have to look at the digital readout? Is it every minute, 10 minutes, etc? Reason for asking is that if it has to be super frequent, I can see the need for it being in the front, similar to being on top of the 2 minute pizza. If not, I can see it being on the side for occasional temp checks. Make sense?
This morning I finished the outside framing of the hearth. I still need to put ply on the underside of the frontal area (platform) for the crescent shape, similar to Ken's (and Ken, I am not stilling that idea). I will likely finish the hearth framework, rebarb, etc. Saturday. I may not pour though until next Friday or the weekend when I can get an extra hand with accurate level pour and smooth finish of the hearth. It will also give me the extra time for varification of the thermocouples.

[CanuckJim]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Acoma,

Because I'm usually baking multiple batches of bread and timing their prep according to the hearth temp they bake best at, I consult the numbers pretty frequently. I find that bagels, for instance, bake best at just below 500 F, so I take them out of the fridge and begin the boiling when the hearth is just above that figure. As well, for teaching purposes, I find it's much more convenient to have the panel in the front while explaining firing and heat saturation. For my operation, cladding and slab temps are vital in my firing times, so, again, having the panel placed where it is makes things easier.

Then again, my operation is commercial and to some degree pedagogical, so my requirements are quite specific.

In winter, I clear the snow from the oven portico, but I wouldn't want to get into clearing the side of the oven as well so I could walk around to look at the panel.

Jim

[Acoma]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Well, finally a couple updated photos for the Gallery and on my Picasa. More to come as I progress.