BA's Dome! Let the games Begin!

[Frances]

Re: BA's Dome! Let the games Begin!

Talking of bricks, remember this one?

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/21/beehive-round-brick-oven-greensboro-nc-3822-2.html

[Frances]

Re: BA's Dome! Let the games Begin!

Wow, those are some cool brick photos! Yep, lots of options there.

Well, whatever you decide on, I can hardly wait to see what it'll look like. (This is me being helpful about your bricklaying question )

[christo]

Re: BA's Dome! Let the games Begin!

I see what you mean - straight sides and lower top edge could be a problem.

With my flared opening and lower arch - I can put the top of the door in first and swing the bottom in the opening and push it home. The door is angled on the sides to match the angled entryway so it fits like a stopper in a bottle.

[egalecki]

Re: BA's Dome! Let the games Begin!

I used red brick to face my outer arch- I cut off about 2 1/2 inches off each end and used that. While it did add to the total length of the masonry, it didn't add to the length I had planned for the floor part. Since my oven is fairly high, the limiting factor for reaching the back of the oven is the landing floor length, not the arch depth. My arm can only reach as far as my floor doesn't get in the way of my body. (does that make any sense at all?) As it turns out, I couldn't have ever reached the back of mine anyway without arm extensions. I'm 5'4", and my arms are NOT 36 inches long! But then, that's what oven tools are for, right?

I also dropped the bricks of the new facing about 1/2 inch to try to funnel the smoke up- I don't notice any difference at all in that, but I do notice that it's harder to get my door in. If you make your door so that it's flanged to rest on the reveal, be sure that your outer entrance is bigger than the door!

[Bandrasco]

Re: BA's Dome! Let the games Begin!

[QUOTE=Frances;45306 My outer arch is a bit higher than the inner one, because I didn't want to bump my head on it all the time... turns out that wasn't such a good idea - I wish I'd read this thread beforehand.

I love the bricks btw![/QUOTE]

Thanks Frances,

I want to cover up the exposed edge of the fire brick as much as possible so dropping the arch would enhance the function along with the aesthetics.

I'm trying to decide what to do with the brick. There are so many designs I could drive myself nuts (if I wasn't there already). I have two basic designs for the foundations. The arch will be the same but one would incorporate full brick, the other would be halves.

Full brick design. This would give it a more massive look making the front reveal larger along with allowing me to use full brick for the arch as shown below. The drawback would be that it would make it farther to get inside the oven which may or may not be an issue.

This design allows me to use half brick on the arch giving me a better view in the oven. The only drawback I can see would be that it gives me less brick to work with when tying my screen into the mix. That is not a big deal; having the best reveal is a bit more important to me.

Although hard to imagine, this is how the arch would look from the bottom. I kind of like it. It looks very heavy, almost structural. Well I guess it is in a way.

I was fortunate enough to travel on business to Verona Italy a few years back. While I was there I took a lot of pictures of their buildings, arches, and I'm still amazed at how many arch designs were incorporated in just one single building.

Take a look at this.

This is the home where Juliet stood on the balcony... Although not real, this 13th century structure is. I went there 4 times just to look at the stone and brick work. I was also fortunate enough to be invited to a private event held by Antolini Luigi that was held at Castlevecchio, way cool. Apparently it was the first event ever to be allowed in the castle as half is a museum, the other is occupied by the military.

This is the lower level of a restaurant I dined at, It was a Roman strategic planning room back in the day. It's about 35' below the surface. Absolutely breath taking. What a night!

Thoughts, ideas?

[Frances]

Re: BA's Dome! Let the games Begin!

I can't believe what just got typed from my fingers....

...very glad to hear your dimensions are working so well for you, Christo.

My outer arch is a bit higher than the inner one, because I didn't want to bump my head on it all the time... turns out that wasn't such a good idea - I wish I'd read this thread beforehand.

I love the bricks btw!

[Les]

Re: BA's Dome! Let the games Begin!

That's what I did. About 3/4 to one inch below the arch.

Ditto - I went 3/4 inch, seems to help.

Les...

[christo]

Re: BA's Dome! Let the games Begin!

Looks like you really had the Ramada loaded down....

I bet it was fun to drive home!

Christo

[Bandrasco]

Re: BA's Dome! Let the games Begin!

Christo!

I'm rolling over here!

I just saw that episode over the weekend. They use a very cool epoxy grout that just had to be broomed off. Very nice.

I'm wondering if I should go with over grouted mortar joints or just not tool them too much?

Any ideas or pictures will be appreciated! I looked up a few pictures of some of the old buildings and most have a nice finish to them.

Stay tuned!

[Bandrasco]

Re: BA's Dome! Let the games Begin!

Here are my bricks that I'm going to use for the arch, chimney, and dome exterior. Heck, these are so cool, I may just cut some into 1/2" slices and use that for my stand exterior....

Man, just looking at these makes me smell pizza...

Close up of bricks... Trying to convince my 12 year old son why I had to pay for these was fun.

The Armada is getting a good workout from the build! 200 Chicago bricks is nothing compared to what I did to it when I had to get the blocks and cement for the hearth stand.

I can't wait to see what this is going to look like when it's finished. AND I can even cook in it as well

Ha ha ha.....

[christo]

Re: BA's Dome! Let the games Begin!

That's what I did. About 3/4 to one inch below the arch. So far so good - Please bear in mind, I also have a generous flue pipe with a reasonably long length (not that I'm bragging....). I can't believe what just got typed from my fingers.... The horror!!

I love the bricks - I saw them on an episode of Rock Solid. Really cool.

Christo

[Bandrasco]

Re: BA's Dome! Let the games Begin!

I think your entry looks great. You may have a little smoke upon first firing it up, but you could always make something like Frances did- with the tin shield and twirly bit legs.

Thanks Elizabeth

I was wondering if I should drop my arch a half inch on the face to help encourage the smoke up the chimney...?

I'm working on that design right now. I picked up my Old Chicago bricks on the way home tonight... Very cool

Thanks again,

Bill

[egalecki]

Re: BA's Dome! Let the games Begin!

I think your entry looks great. You may have a little smoke upon first firing it up, but you could always make something like Frances did- with the tin shield and twirly bit legs. When I fire mine up, I use my crude vent door- concrete backer board tilted backward and raised up about 1 inch. That keeps smoke to a minimum as well. As does well-seasoned, dry wood.

Another benefit of the entry like yours is that it will be a lot easier to get your door in and out. I have to work at mine- you won't have to.

[drogers]

Re: BA's Dome! Let the games Begin!

Bill,
It was 34F in Inverness this morning. We had a heavy dew, but no frost, tonight probably won't be as warm.
Don

[Bandrasco]

Re: BA's Dome! Let the games Begin!

I'm curious how you are handling the cage (screen enclosure), as well. RT

Thanks RT,

I hung a plumb line down from my top screen beam to layout out my oven entry/arch ahead of time so it would keep the chimney outside and the brick work arch reveal inside. My idea is to simply cut a groove in the brick once set so I can run the rubber bead that holds the screen in place. I'll break out the laser for that one so I can get a perfectly even cut on all sides keeping the screen nice and flat. I'll have the Old Chicago brick covering the entire dome, chimney, and arch so it should look pretty cool.

Stay tuned....