Dave's Northern Virginia Build

[Dino_Pizza]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

Hey Dave, your flu transition and chimney look good. Having made that transition tall with the angled up brick sides was a good idea.

As for curing, how about putting a cover on that cute thing and use a slow, electric heater? I think if you covered it to keep it dry, it would work. But I am TOTALLY UNFAMILIAR with cold weather building and its affect on hot ovens. Maybe really low heat without the blanket for a few days (to drive out moisture) , then the same heat with the blanket for a few days (the blanket will retain heat and it will get hotter naturally, then move up to pizza temps?

I got the curse of the crack on my oven so I don't have a good track record .

Nice job, keep it up, Dino

[DaveW]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

As for curing, how about putting a cover on that cute thing and use a slow, electric heater? I think if you covered it to keep it dry, it would work. But I am TOTALLY UNFAMILIAR with cold weather building and its affect on hot ovens. Maybe really low heat without the blanket for a few days (to drive out moisture) , then the same heat with the blanket for a few days (the blanket will retain heat and it will get hotter naturally, then move up to pizza temps?

... Dino

Thanks Dino. I think that is exactly what I'll do. I'll keep it tented with the heat lamp for a few more days and then I'll get started. Once the mortar is fully set, I don't think the cold is a factor as long as I bring it up to temperature slowly.

Dave

[DaveW]

Highs and Lows

A few days a go we toasted the first fire in the oven. At the same time our Labrador Retriever nosed open the back door to the garage and ran off. We had just caught up to him when her ran in front of a car. Looks like he will recover but it has been a tough couple of days. I'll miss having my little helper run off with my tools. One more reason to look forward to spring.

Dave

[trockyh]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

Dave, congrats on the first fire, bet it feels good. Glad your buddy is ok. He looks happy being pampered.

Tom

[dsgreco]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

The fire and oven look great. The dog getting hit by the car sucks. Hope it is a quick recovery. We are getting a new lab puppy in a few weeks. We just went to see them this past weekend.

[Fish Wheels]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

With the festive cast he doesn't look happy, heres to to a quick recovery. Nice first fire

[DaveW]

Unique Enclosure?

Thanks for the puppy wishes, pooch is doing much better. The oven is insulated. Has anyone else fabricated a PVC and duct tape enclosure?

Happy Holidays,
dave

[DaveW]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

The fire and oven look great. The dog getting hit by the car sucks. Hope it is a quick recovery. We are getting a new lab puppy in a few weeks. We just went to see them this past weekend.

Thanks,
He is feeling well enough to have chewed his cast off. Love the puppy pic. Labs are great dogs.

Dave

[DaveW]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

I hate to quote myself, but from another thread Neil2 commented on my drawing of S.P.Q.R. (the Senate and People of Rome) on my temporary counter support:
------------------------------------------------------
Originally Posted by Neil2
SPQR ?

Well, thats being historically accurate !
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SPQR. With my wife being from Rome, I am hoping to attract the spirits and gods for inspiration/protection.
Dave
--------------------------------------------------------

It may have worked (click the photo and tell me what you see)......

Ciao,

Dave

[trockyh]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

Looks good Dave, I like your pvc tent. I need to figure out a tent of some sort so I can work on the oven, but it has to take a lot of wind. Picking up the fire brick today.

Merry Christmas,
Tom

[DaveW]

We did it!!!

The goal was to make pizza For Christmas and we did it! My Family arrived on the 23rd and we had pizza that night. Here are some pics. . . The first pizza was actually a focaccia and that is my sister with her custom designed pizza. This was the fifth burn in the oven and although I don't think it is fully cured yet there are no obvious internal cracks so far. After the pizza was finished and the fire burned down I raked out the coals, plugged it and the temp went to 530F internally. The next morning it was 300F. It drafts fairly well but I do get some smoke out of the front until it gets really hot. Thanks to everyone on this forum and to FornoBravo for making it possible.

Happy New Year!

Dave

[trockyh]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

Looks great Dave, congradulations.
How long did it take you to build your oven?

Tom

[DaveW]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

Looks great Dave, congradulations.
How long did it take you to build your oven?

Tom

Thanks Tom,
I broke ground this summer, but from the time I laid my first floor brick to my first fire was slightly over a month.

I'll start on the enclosure in the spring.

Dave

[trockyh]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

Thanks Dave,
I'm hoping to have it ready to cook by Feb. 13 for my mom's 89th birthday.
It's raining today, so no work on it yet. Maybe this afternoon when it stops.

Tom

[DaveW]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

Thanks Dave,
I'm hoping to have it ready to cook by Feb. 13 for my mom's 89th birthday.
Tom

Now that is a worthwhile goal!

Happy building,
Dave