new build in werribee

[UtahBeehiver]

Dave,

I am partial to Snowbird since I have been on their instructor staff close to 25 years. I teach both snowboarding and skiing so it keeps me young and active for an old guy.

[daveskis]

Hey Russell i have had a good troll through some of those. I think the obvious conclusion seems to be this......it, the Hebel is so light in weight, therefore it must be low in strength. Anyway I am slave to mine now. I brought the house and i need to make do with what i have possibly. This Forum impresses me. I see Colin was very impressed with your build. I must look that up now.
BTW i have been to your wonderful state. I skied about four years ago at Deer Valley, Canyon, Park City and Snowbird(skiing was sensational here). Spent a day in Salt Lake City as well.
Cheers Dave

[UtahBeehiver]

I happen to see Colin and the oven about a month ago. His oven base is very solid and he is planning on building a second oven using the same hebel material. Also, Alex (eastern Europe area) did his build out a similar material called yutong. There have been a handful of other southern hemi builders who have use Hebel for their bases and I have not seen or heard any negative feedback.

[daveskis]

Colin
So the Hebel stayed up. Didn't see any further discussion re relative strength of Hebel. I have a Firebox next to a Fireplace constructed with Hebel. I am thinking over doing the same build that you did for 39"/40" oven. Of course my fear is the whole thing could come down on some poor unsuspecting G kid. Doesn't bare thinking about. After your initial hesitation you seem to have not looked back.

[oasiscdm]

I agree especially when you want to do stuff outside. On the positive side lived in Brisabne for nearly 4 years hated the lack of distinct seasons, even if in Melbourne they are all in one day LOL

[david s]

Get out of that dismal Melbourne winter (from an ex Melbournian)

[oasiscdm]

Hi

I was honoured to have the pleasure of Russell [Utahbeehiver] dropping in when he visited Melbourne recently. It was great meeting the man [and his lovely partner] that has in my humble opinion built the best oven on this site. That copper finish is simply astonishing. Russell is also the only one to see my finished project. I will post photos when I get some time to post.

Again Russell it was a privilege meeting the man himself and I hope to visit you in the future. and I owe you dinner. Thanks and say hi to J.

[oasiscdm]

Not much activity on site lately... Thought once certain fixes made people would be back. Doesn't seem to be the case.

Have ordered my shoji windows, stone tops decorative screen finished planters plant some plants. Once installed am done.

[oasiscdm]

HI All

Got some more done recently. Have now finished bulk of outdoor area that I can do while I wait for windows and stone. Grass trees in, ordered windows, stone bench tops, just need to get some soil for planters, some plants, pick up windows and stone and install and its all done. I will post photos once it is all finished [including progress photos. Then tidy up this thread.

[oasiscdm]

G'day
The decretive tile came out pretty good in the end. The curved brick was worth the effort as well.
Regards dave

Hi Dave has been a while

Yeah I got disheartened on that decorative finish after many attempts with different pavers each time in the kiln it would disintegrate into myriads of pieces so I gave up. I ended up using a bluestone tile 30mm thick and did my etchings of the symbols grinded the middle for the centre piece which I had fire about 18 months ago. I diecided then to give up on the Glaze and firing and used a ceramic high temp enamel paint and external sealer.

I think it came up a treat.

As you can see I have completed most of the outdoor area but wont post photo's until finished. Still have stone bench tops, shoji screens above fence and planters to finish.


Then

That's it folks.

Changes

I would change one or two things eg. more insulation and the landing hearth I would have done what Karangi Dude did and have one thick piece of stone. Having the drop leaf down the front has not worked well with the heat. A thicker piece of stone would have been a much better option.

Will be starting Oven 2 later this year when we move - If they [owners corporation] let me build it.

[cobblerdave]

G'day
The decretive tile came out pretty good in the end. The curved brick was worth the effort as well.
Regards dave

[oasiscdm]

Well it happened, I finally finished my oven on Saturday [had to clean the decorative arch bricks].
I will post the progress photos leading to finish and the surrounds at some point but here is the finished oven.

[oasiscdm]

I also saw the Food Safari Fire episodes covering WFO and Tandoor's. I'm thinking of building one - where did you pickup the clay liner from?

https://www.facebook.com/Cameron-Wil...1403374545151/

Hi Sharkey has been a while

Have done this myself Sharkey and used WFO for smoking works a treat, naan on the floor works ok if hot enough and enough flame.
Oh by the way I finally finished my oven on Saturday. Yay !!!!

Hi Steady

The Liner [link above] from Cameron Williams Pottery the Guy on Food Safari Fire, they come wrapped in Ceramic Fibre but are not cheap you would be looking at around $1000 delivered plus more if you want the accessories. I will be getting this when my partner and I move later in the year.

[Steady]

I'm keen to know how you go cooking the naan on the WFO floor - I mentioned to a mate that I was thinking about cooking naan on the oven wall but it was going to burn my arm when I reached in and he asked why I don't just do it on the floor (I felt a bit stupid for not thinking of it myself..)

[Sharkey]

I have been watching the series too and have bought the book that goes with it. The Tandoor episode also grabbed my attention. I'm planning to try the Tandoori Chicken recipe in the WFO as the temperatures are about right. I'm also going to try the naan bread - just cooked on the oven floor like a pizza instead of sticking it to the side of the tandoor.