Dave's Northern Virginia Build

[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]

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

[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

[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.

[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

[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

[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

[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

Thanks Bob/Rod,
I cut some corners to get this far which I may regret later. Fortunately, I got the last of the mortar on it just ahead of the really cold weather.
Dave

[pizza_bob]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

Is it just me or is this thing cute?

Dave

Dave,

Nice job! You passed me as if I were standing still with my build! Ummm...I was standing still.
I am extremely impressed with your determination to have Christmas pizza and the speed at which you finished your oven. I was cleaning snow off of my canopy and tarp today...6 inches in Connecticut this morning! Ugh...

Good luck with the curing and take your time with it.

Regards,
Bob

[Fish Wheels]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

It's just you

Just kidding looks good, hope it works as well as it looks in the picture

Good Luck
Rod

[DaveW]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

Is it just me or is this thing cute?

Dave

[DaveW]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

I just ordered the insulating blanket from FB. My original plan was to put loose vermiculite over the exposed blanket within the enclosure. Any reason not to go ahead and coat the blanket with a stucco making an igloo oven for the winter and to enclose it in the spring?

Dave

[DaveW]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

Looks good Dave. I'm not sure because I haven't done it yet, but I think I've read where it is best to cure with insulation. I'm thinking the temp difference between inside the dome and the outside of the dome might/will cause cracks. But, I'm sure the people in the know will chime in..

Tom

I hadn't thought of that. I assumed the recommendation was mainly from an efficiency standpoint. We have family coming for Christmas and I really want to cook a pizza for them. But, not at the expense of the dome.
Dave

[trockyh]

Re: Dave's Northern Virginia Build

Looks good Dave. I'm not sure because I haven't done it yet, but I think I've read where it is best to cure with insulation. I'm thinking the temp difference between inside the dome and the outside of the dome might/will cause cracks. But, I'm sure the people in the know will chime in..

Tom