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  • cooking floor layout on perlcrete questions

    Quick Question.

    I have my perlcrete done and am will be ready tomorro to start my floor for my hearth. This stuff is a little crumbly and certainly cant be drawn on. I used CVDUKES method in Tips.....it worked well, but is more crumbly due to the lower amount of portland, but I think it should have better insulation properties.

    My questions.....
    1. Any tips for making sure the floor is set right?
    I thought about just going square and then draw on the oven floor.

    2. I am also a little worried that using the notched trowel will cause some of the perlcrete crumbs to move.... is that an issue?

    3. Most of the pictures I see in the "oven plans" dont appear to have a top with porosity from perlcrete. Did I do something wrong?

    Thanks again.
    GT
    Thanks,

    GT

    For all pictures of oven build click address.http://picasaweb.google.com/ghtaylo/GeorgeTSPizzaOven

  • #2
    Re: cooking floor layout on perlcrete questions

    The best way to align the floor bricks is to line them up on the floor in the pattern you want, and measure how far from the side you want them. Then start from that point and lay them out from there.

    You want something on top of the perlcrete to smooth it out for your bricks. The original method (is this still in the plans?) was to make a paste of fireclay and sand, and trowel it on with a notched trowel. The idea was that you could press down any proud bricks into the paste. It's been learned that a dry powder (either the fireclay-sand mixture, or refractory mortar) laid out on top of the perlcrete works better. Once you get your bricks where you want them, you wet them to solidify the underlayment.
    My geodesic oven project: part 1, part 2

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    • #3
      Re: cooking floor layout on perlcrete questions

      I would think this is an area where the builder should not be too concerned about having a little bit thicker layer (paste/powder/sand) under the hearth (say 1/2 inch to an inch?) as it will only be a little additional thermal mass which for many is a plus.

      We put a lot of weight on that perlcrete layer....I'm assuming compression of that insulation layer has not been an issue for anyone.
      Sharing life's positives and loving the slow food lane

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      • #4
        Re: cooking floor layout on perlcrete questions

        If I use Fireclay.....What is the proporation of sand to fireclay in the mixture?

        Thanks.
        Thanks,

        GT

        For all pictures of oven build click address.http://picasaweb.google.com/ghtaylo/GeorgeTSPizzaOven

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: cooking floor layout on perlcrete questions

          I did this to my perlcrete floor for the reasons you have stated.




          I used the poor man's high temp mortar. I'm trying to remember the formula...

          I'm sure it's in the E-book
          My thread:
          http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f8/d...ress-2476.html
          My costs:
          http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?k...Xr0fvgxuh4s7Hw
          My pics:
          http://picasaweb.google.com/dawatsonator

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          • #6
            Re: cooking floor layout on perlcrete questions

            Thanks. I will check in the Ebook. I think it is 1:1.
            Thanks,

            GT

            For all pictures of oven build click address.http://picasaweb.google.com/ghtaylo/GeorgeTSPizzaOven

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: cooking floor layout on perlcrete questions

              1/3/1/1 portland/sharp sand/hydrated lime/fireclay should work well although you could probably just go with a fireclay and sand mixed to a thinset type consistency
              Best
              Dutch
              "Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. " Charles Mingus
              "Build at least two brick ovens...one to make all the mistakes on and the other to be just like you dreamed of!" Dutch

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              • #8
                Re: cooking floor layout on perlcrete questions

                i'd leave the lime alone.. if I had a do over.

                very caustic
                My thread:
                http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f8/d...ress-2476.html
                My costs:
                http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?k...Xr0fvgxuh4s7Hw
                My pics:
                http://picasaweb.google.com/dawatsonator

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: cooking floor layout on perlcrete questions

                  I used just the sand and fireclay in a dry mix per Dmun's advice and then wetted the brick to solidify. I used a 2 parts sand to 1 part fireclay mixture. Hope that will hold ok.....since I was not using any portland I was hesitant to use too much sand. Any concerns from the experts?
                  Thanks,

                  GT

                  For all pictures of oven build click address.http://picasaweb.google.com/ghtaylo/GeorgeTSPizzaOven

                  Comment

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