New Pompeii oven in Bellevue, WA

[jrparks]

I started my thread in the Introduction Forum months ago but will continue it here until I start cooking.

[jrparks]

Re: New Pompeii oven in Bellevue, WA

Ahhh?spring time in the great northwest! I started the day cutting the bricks for the seventh course, in the snow and sleet, and nearly got frost bite on my fingers. After they thawed, I went to watch some local rugby matches?also in the snow. Wish I was in Dubai for the World Cup 7?s.

Upon my return I mortared the seventh course into position. With the risk of below freezing temps tonight, I decided to put a small heater in the dome so that the H2O in the mortar doesn?t freeze before it has a chance to cure. I used some bubble foil insulation to seal the top and opening. I sure hope I chosen the correct action. If the weather doesn?t get any worse, I?ll put the 8th on tomorrow.

I?ve chosen not to mortar the outer opening arch way yet. I believe that it will be easier to reach in and complete the dome.

[bbell]

Re: New Pompeii oven in Bellevue, WA

John, great symmetry on the dome. Looks perfect.

Where was the rugby? It's time to take my son to a match and show him what it's all about.

Snow on the ground but a few sun breaks. The oven beckons....

[Wiley]

Re: New Pompeii oven in Bellevue, WA

I'll second Bill's compliment, really nice symmetry! Good looking job! Nicely done!

Yesterday was beautiful here (near Port Townsend) and today snowing!? Sure hope we don't get a cold wet spring like last year...sure impacted the fruit trees and subsequent harvest. So where's all this global warming?

Wiley

[james]

Re: New Pompeii oven in Bellevue, WA

Wow, what beautiful work. My pots and pans aren't that round. Excellent.
James

[exceloven]

Re: New Pompeii oven in Bellevue, WA

Wow, Are you sure you did that with square bricks like the rest of us. What a great job. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Mark

[jrparks]

Re: New Pompeii oven in Bellevue, WA

Thank you for all the kind words.

I had another productive day completing courses 8 and 9. With daylight saving I sould get closure by the end of the week. Planning a long day of logging madrona wood next Saturday and continuing on the opening on Sunday.

I'm looking forward to playing with matches soon

[bbell]

Re: New Pompeii oven in Bellevue, WA

Very impressive John.

[dpike]

Re: New Pompeii oven in Bellevue, WA

hope you got it covered up today. Haven't seen that thick of snow for a while now, even if it was only for two hours.

Hope to be able to see your oven someday.

Dave in Seattle

[mfiore]

Re: New Pompeii oven in Bellevue, WA

Looks great, John. Almost there!

[jrparks]

Re: New Pompeii oven in Bellevue, WA

Great weather and temps above 50? today
I was able to cut the 10th course and get it install. Only the plug is left.
I have some ideas for getting it to fit like a glove and will post the result later on Sunday. Looking forward to Pizza
Cheers,

[Dino_Pizza]

Re: New Pompeii oven in Bellevue, WA

John! That plug you posted on the Photo Gallery is beautiful. It looks like it was "gupped" it up and wedged in perfectly. I like the 2 half circles. That must be nice feeling when the final dome brick is put in. And thanks for great pics, inside and out. How did you do the inside looking out photo?
Can't wait to see pizza pics.
cheers, Dino

[jrparks]

Re: New Pompeii oven in Bellevue, WA

Thanks Dino. It was a great feeling to plug the dome...in the wind, rain and snow! I had mortared 2 brick together last week for the plug. I traced the opening onto a paper plated, cut that out, and used it as a template to cut the plug. I then set my saw to the same angle as the 10th course and made the cuts on the plug. Before setting in place I used it to trace the top of the plug on to two more bricks which made the upper plug. Those pieces were cut with the same angle and then cut again so the matched the thickness of the dome, and the mortared into place.
I have put a small space heater on the inside to start the curing while I finish up the outer archway. If I?m lucky I will have fire by next week and pizza by mid April.
To get the photo from the inside looking out, I set my Nikon D70 camera on small tripod and use remote timer function. Push the remote button and step out of the way.
Cheers,

[dbhansen]

Re: New Pompeii oven in Bellevue, WA

Looks awesome! Nice work.

[gjbingham]

Re: New Pompeii oven in Bellevue, WA

Nice build JR! It does look perfectly symetrical.

Keep us posted on your fires.
G.