Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

[Dino_Pizza]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Bill, your oven looks so nice. I really like the slate on the counter. The entire oven has a great, stony look to it. You've made a real classic. -Dino

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Thanks Dino. Something out of the Flintstones.

Two lights and two doors and then someone metioned counter space.....

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

I finally found a couple of door handles in the dollar bin at the local hardware store. Used for the lower storage area.

[geisen]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Bill
I noticed you used wood over the metal studs and then mortar board on top of that before adding the metal lathe and scratch coat. Was that for extra insullation? I called El Dorado Stone and they told me just to put tar paper over the studs, then the metal lathe, then the scratch coat. I have three blankets on my dome and it is ambiant temp when the oven is 900deg, so I am not worried about more insullation.
thoughts?

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Greg, Good point.

I probably could have gotten away with the rigidity of just the ply or just the cement board. Because the frame was welded and less solid laterally than cinderblocks I went ahead and used the ply to help make it solid as well as give me a backing to screw the durock to. It might be possible to just use paper on studs then metal lathe but it might be worth either a layer of ply. I know there's others that will have a more definitive answer.

Great job!

Bill

[Doodney]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Thanks Bill that info is just what I needed.

[plootsnot]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Hi Bill,

Great build! One of my favorites by far and I have looked at hundreds on the internet in the last few months. Very jealous, especially of your back yard!

You food pictures are equally impressive and I can wait to get cooking with my oven after seeing your results. I was curious how you cook (fish) on the cedar plank? Do you wet it down before it goes in the oven and do you sand the burned parts off before the next use? Have you tried other types of wood for the plank? I'm assuming you use cedar for the extra taste which it must be giving off.

Sorry if these have been answered already I didn't look thru all your posts.

Thanks in advance.

Kurt

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Kurt, I think the only requirement for the plank is that it's untreated with any waterproofing or fire retardant or... any chemical that could be absorbed by the fish. The plank I used is sold for this purpose but I think any piece of flat cedar should suffice. And I assume if it was apple wood you would get a slight hint of applewood taste.

I soaked the wood for about an hour before using. Had to watch it closely as spontaneous combustion is a real possibility at these higher temps. Ended up just charring the edges. i don't think you would have to scape off the char. When it gets too charred it just becomes kindling for the next fire.

[Fish Wheels]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Bill

I saw your latest posting on the Finished photos. Your deck really turned out beautiful. very nice utilization of the space you had available! I looked through your picasa pictures again and I'm very impressed with the build.

Rod

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Thanks Rod. Must say I'm having a great time with it.

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Doors galore.

I just finished replacing my original/temporary door with something a little more substantial. I had been using the original piece of plywood I'd used to create a form for the entry arch and wrapped it in AL tape. Whenever I placed it against the door reveal and the oven was too hot, I could definitely hear the wood beneath char, crackle and pop. The new door is 26 gauge steel from HD wrapped around some drywall. We'll see how long it lasts...

The other doors include an insulating door for using residual heat and a draft door to help get the fire up to speed a little quicker. The insulating door and draft door are both inspired by other posts on this forum. What a resource!

[mfiore]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Hi, Bill. Good looking doors!

Does the dry wall serve an insulating purpose, or just used to support the steel?

Does that draft door help? I've been debating a similar design.

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Hi Mike,

I used the drywall because.... I had some on hand, thought it would be less likely to burn and held it's shape while fitting the steel around it. We'll see how well it holds up. Also, it was lighter than cement board and hardibacker.

The draft does help though a well laid fire works well on its own. i also was given the idea of a "firestick" in another thread and am sorely tempted....

[Lburou]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Bill, I notice a thermometer in your old door, but not in your new door. What is the significance of that?

[brickie in oz]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Does that draft door help? I've been debating a similar design.

Cant you just leave the door ajar to get the same effect?