36" Corner Build in Minnesota

[MnDude45]

Welcome to my project. The plan is to begin this fall to complete the excavation and slab installation before the snow flies. Construction of the oven to occur in the spring and summer of 2021.

I have been following and reviewing the forum for about a year and look forward to the process.

Thanks

[MnDude45]

I began planning the project during the fall of '20. My working sketches are included in the album

[MnDude45]

I started the work this weekend. I made a full size cardboard template which was a technique I learned in the forum which was quite helpful. With that I was able to block out where the slab need to be place and began excavation. As some of you may be able to relate, the roots from a big elm that used to be in this are was the worst part.

[RandyJ]

I had a giant silver maple sitting 10' behind where my oven was built. That was one of the hardest parts of the buils was hacking out all the roots that were in the way. What kind of soil conditions do you have. Looks kind of sandy. That would be a good thing. My new house is all clay that is like concrete. I nearly wrecked a hydraulic auger trying to put in footings for my deck. I hope you don't have that kind of issue. I can't wait to see what you have in mind.

Randy

[Baza]

Congratulations on taking the leap into building - I lurked the forum for quite a while before jumping in too! Great people here to help you through so much - ask often and share your journey - as you learn - others after you will benefit as well. I remember hitting roots far down too - spade-stoppers! Keep the dream going - you're going to really enjoy this!
Barry

[GFI]

I'll be following your build as I'm planning something very similar. I built the kitchen portion this summer and plan a 36" WFO corner extension next year. So many have gone before us and have shared a wealth of information but each new build seems to bring new thoughts or obstacles of interest.

[MnDude45]

Alright, so I haven't posted since September but winter came early to Minnesota last fall which threw a wrench into my plans to progress on my project. But, I have got things moving again.

During the first week of May, I had the slab for the hearth and counters poured. Decided to hire this part out to make sure it was done right and finished well.

Since that time I was able to get the first course of blocks down and mortared into place. Yesterday, I was able to dry stack the remaining levels. I was happy to maintain the level/plumb through all courses.

Next on the docket will be the pouring the cores and applying the SBC to ensure the stability and then on the the hearth.

I will attached some progress photos for context.

Happy building!

[MnDude45]

[MnDude45]

[UtahBeehiver]

Great restart. I did look at you oven mock-up from last year so when you finalize, post. Right now the placement of the inner arch need to be clarified. It appears to be too far out from the inside of the dome so post your final design so we can look closer at it. The placement of the inside of the inner arch relative to the inside of the dome is critical for mating the arch and dome and especially if you do a tapered inner arch.

[RandyJ]

Looking good. You have a nice start on the base.

[MnDude45]

UtahBeehiver - I appreciate the detailed question regarding the transition as I have read several posts about the trouble people have had on the topic. When doing the initial sketch I was mainly focused on the height of opening and where I thought it would intersect with the dome. I will work up a better sketch to provide this view. What other factors or ratio would you be concerned with? Thanks!

[MnDude45]

RandyJ - Thanks for checking back in. It’s starting to feel real. Based on your suggestion, I have reached out to Smith-Sharpe for the bricks, fiber board and blanket. Will go down and pickup when I get closer to that stage. Stay cool this week, gonna be some more scorching days ahead of us.

[UtahBeehiver]

Same deal with your IT, it is really important that is is configured right, ie pivot point, adjustable, L bracket at end. I have seen both welded and non-welded version that work well you just have to poke around the forum but here is an older version of one that has most of the critical design factors in it. Note, I would use a wood block the size of the floor brick to insert pivot point.rather than mount into ply (see Gulf's build). The goal is to get the pivot point at floor elevation.

[RandyJ]

MnDuden't wait to see this come together. If you have any questions or want someone to stop by and check out what you have going on let me know. I would love to take a look at your oven. Once it is done i have a buddy that is a executive chef that loved to cook in my old oven and i am sure would be game for cooking up some good eats.