42" build in McPherson KS

[slschoming]

I plan to do a stair step with my exterior bricks, but they are the type with holes. Is it better to extend the mortar joint out to the edge of the brick with a slight slope, or just fill the hoels with mortar? ... Attaching a dry stack image for reference..

[slschoming]

Made a little more progress today. I wanted to visualize this thing so I took some scrap wood and made a frame/outline just to see the final shape (photo 2)...

Transitioning to my flue similar to azatty's post here:

https://community.fornobravo.com/for...iner#post14605

[cobblerdave]

Gday
fire bricks have nil water proofing unlike a house brick. Just diferent uses. Would not us firebricks in any external spot will just soak up water.
regards Dave

[slschoming]

Gday
fire bricks have nil water proofing unlike a house brick. Just diferent uses. Would not us firebricks in any external spot will just soak up water.
regards Dave

I didn't think about that. When I am done, the only firebricks that will be exposed to the elements will be the front arch and the landing. Do you think it would help if I put some masonry water repellent on the outer arch? And maybe the front edge of my landing?

[cobblerdave]

G’day
Tried that with limited success as you are trapped into reapplying often.
Built an external entrance cover to prevent rain from blowing in on the hearth. Works well enough But Once moisture gets to your insulation it takes forever to dry your oven again and get it working well. Personally believe that overhead cover for the whole structure is still the only real trusted method of keeping a dry oven
regards Dave

[slschoming]

G’day
Tried that with limited success as you are trapped into reapplying often.
Built an external entrance cover to prevent rain from blowing in on the hearth. Works well enough But Once moisture gets to your insulation it takes forever to dry your oven again and get it working well. Personally believe that overhead cover for the whole structure is still the only real trusted method of keeping a dry oven
regards Dave

I may build a little roof over the patio eventually (and extend the chimney up through the roof). For now I think I will get out my grinder and take out the firebricks from the outer arch and replace with some yellow clay bricks that a friend found for me.

Thanks!

[Gulf]

You will love the roof over the patio or even a standalone cover over the oven. Either, will extend the number of days per year that your oven can be operated comfortably.

[UtahBeehiver]

My build was done with super duty fire brick, so much denser than typical fire brick, so the outer arch and chimney are done with these bricks. The oven is not under a roof so exposed to the elements. So far, no issues with water, snow, freezing on fire brick, built in 2012. I have had more issues around the house with solid clay house brick spalling. So since you are covering oven I am not sure it is worth the effort to redo the arch.

[slschoming]

My build was done with super duty fire brick, so much denser than typical fire brick, so the outer arch and chimney are done with these bricks. The oven is not under a roof so exposed to the elements. So far, no issues with water, snow, freezing on fire brick, built in 2012. I have had more issues around the house with solid clay house brick spalling. So since you are covering oven I am not sure it is worth the effort to redo the arch.

Thanks Russell, you answered my next question before I could ask it.. I don't think I will get a roof over it yet this fall, but hopefully next summer. In the meantime I was thinking I could put a tarp over it when It is not in use. I really like the look with the firebrick arch so I was hoping I could keep it.

[slschoming]

Getting closer but progress is slow.

[cobblerdave]

G’day
Why not cook a pizza in that thing.
make yourself some dough
build a fire
have a bit off fun
it’s getting hotter her in the Southern Hemisphere so it’s getting colder where you are
that ovens ready,,,, you’ll not break it.
Regards Dave

[slschoming]

G’day
Why not cook a pizza in that thing.
make yourself some dough
build a fire
have a bit off fun
it’s getting hotter her in the Southern Hemisphere so it’s getting colder where you are
that ovens ready,,,, you’ll not break it.
Regards Dave

I just have a few bricks (already cut) to mortar into place and I will be ready to start my curing fires. I am hoping to find time this evening or tomorrow evening to get that done.

We have been having above average temperatures so far this September. Today will reach 91 degrees Fahrenheit here. My buffalo grass is still green and showing no signs that it's ready to go dormant, which is pretty strange for Kansas in September. I hope this isn't a sign that it will be shorter more drastic change from warm to cold, but so far it is looking that way.

[david s]

Before you fire it up I think you need to either insulate around the flue tile or have an inner stainless flue pipe or the flue tile is likely to crack from thermal shock. Watch attached video.

Sorry, link won't stick. Go to youtube and search "thermal shock demonstration"

[slschoming]

Before you fire it up I think you need to either insulate around the flue tile or have an inner stainless flue pipe or the flue tile is likely to crack from thermal shock. Watch attached video.

Sorry, link won't stick. Go to youtube and search "thermal shock demonstration"

Yeah, I will be wrapping the dome and flue liner in CF blanket. 3 inches around the dome and 1 inch around the flue liner is the plan.

[slschoming]

I came out here to add a comment yesterday and the forum was down. I contacted the forno bravo helpdesk from their main website and they brought the server back up. Then later last night I noticed the whole forum was replaced by a different forum all together so I contacted them again. Apparently the forum was hacked so they restored to a previous version (one week old or so), so you might notice several days of activity is gone. Just giving a heads up to anyone who might be wondering what happened to recent postings....

Gulf Is there a good place to post information like this for members to be aware that they have lost about a week's worth of posts?