New Build - 42" with Santa Maria Grill in So. Cal

[Brick Oven Nick]

Wow, that dome and brick work is really looking fantastic!! Congrats!

I am starting in on setting the oven floor and brick work this weekend! I'm going to refer back to your photos on the dome as a guide!

Nick

[Damer419]

Thanks Nick......it has been fun!

[cobblerdave]

Gday
Congrats.
thats looking pretty neat work.
Worried about the joints starting to line up.... Don't be!
1. You've built one of the toughest structures on the planet.. A dome. Gravity means it's strong. Not the other way around.
2. None of us are going to tell. It's our secret!... Promise
regards Dave

[Damer419]

Plugged the hole today. Felt really good!!
On to the next!!

[UtahBeehiver]

congrats on the plug

[texman]

hey Russell! long time no see. Congrats on Moderator! You must have gotten a BIG RAISE! I will try and behave.

[UtahBeehiver]

Hey Big T,
welcome back, big raise, lol
just my way of paying forward.

[texman]

i will try and pay some as well.

[Damer419]

Question: I hope to get the outer arch and vent finished this weekend. The Dome has been closed over a week. So when am I clear to start curing fires? Plans call for a week dry-time before first small curing fire, but if my dome has been dry for over a week but my vent area only a few days should I still wait another week??? I am getting a lil impatient I know and dont want to push anything, but the dome is what experiences most of the heat and at greater risk of failure, not necessarily the vent??

[Gulf]

If it was laid with a portland based mortar, I would give the outer arch and vent a week as well.

[Damer419]

Alright Joe.....best to play it safe.......Gracias

[Damer419]

This past weekend I was able to add to the ever-growing list of things I suck at.........arches. Not sure if it is my crappy templates, rush to finish, or lack of brain power but the vent and outer arch were the most frustrating part of the build thus far. I did manage to finish and believe I have cut and mortared my last brick for the oven. Outer arch is not very pretty nor is the vent .......leaning on the old principle of Form Must Follow Function. All in all I am very happy to be done with the oven and looking forward to building the house and finishing this puppy.

Onward and upward

Damon

[texman]

Looks Good and Congrats! Be patient now and take your time curing. Low and Slow.

[SableSprings]

One thing you might think about Damon is that creosote will tend to build up in those flat vent corners and around sharp edges. Taking a grinder and making a little smoother flow from the oven into your vent will reduce that tendency. I have some build-up in the same area on my oven and when I'm baking bread, opening my door causes a change in the updraft and I often get a little sprinkle of creosote/soot onto my landing. When I'm working the oven with food I just try to make sure I am conscious of the possibility and don't leave food under the vent to admire it or check if it's done

And as Texman said, go low and slow ... good job and keep posting to let us know your progress.

[ivancito]

This past weekend I was able to add to the ever-growing list of things I suck at.........arches. Not sure if it is my crappy templates, rush to finish, or lack of brain power but the vent and outer arch were the most frustrating part of the build thus far. I did manage to finish and believe I have cut and mortared my last brick for the oven. Outer arch is not very pretty nor is the vent .......leaning on the old principle of Form Must Follow Function. All in all I am very happy to be done with the oven and looking forward to building the house and finishing this puppy.

Onward and upward

Damon

Very nice brickwork Damon! I too was a bit frustrated with my arch and actually built it twice before I was happy with it. Just keep plugging away and in no time you will be amazed at what you have accomplished to build. Looking forward to the rest of your build.
Ivan