WFO Adelaide

[cookm02]

Hi all, we recently completed our domed WFO. It took longer than in should have because I wasn't confident in completing the dome - but all worked well in the end! Just thought I would put forward a couple of suggestions that worked for us. After building the base (breeze-blocks) I was quite concerned about framing and forming the top slab, until a suggestion from a building supply company. We used three external-grade Hebel panels - 1800 x 600 x 75mm - "glued" together and fixed to the base. Very quick and easy job. Also, as Hebel is an aerated concrete it has great insulating properties. From there we just built the oven as normal. Used refractory bricks ( halved for the dome) - these can be expensive, but in Adelaide you can get the best price at Adami's in Beverley. We used the 280 x 280 refractory "pavers" for the floor of the oven.
A good quality angle grinder disc is a god-send - just wish I'd discovered that much earlier in the dome build! Use a metal "masonry" disc - like cutting butter (almost)!
Anyway, dome completed - wrapped with glass fibre insulation, then several coats of acrylic render - the base-coat packs are much cheaper than the finer top-coat bags.
Now in weekly use I have found that using small-split red gum fires it up well and generates enough heat for browning the pizza bases.
Now a question - any suggestions as to where to buy reasonably priced tools? I am looking for a brass bristle brush with scraper, and perhaps a curved shovel. Even with freight it seems my best option is to buy online from the States.
Good cooking.

[cobblerdave]

Re: WFO Adelaide

G'day
Save yourself and forget the brush. After burning my way through a few types I now just slap my large peel on the hearth floor, the dust lifts up and is taken up the chimney with the heat from the fire. My rake is a simple piece of aluminum folded at right angles for strength and screwed to a wooden handle. Moves the coals where you want and good for pots and pans as well.
I have a large aluminum peel and a smaller s/s turning peel both brought from a catering supply business check out you local ones. I also have a temp gauge brought the same designed for deep fryers that read to 400c more than sufficient for door mounting and oven baking temps.
I have had more tools in the past but to much clutter just gets in the road.
Regards dave

[Greenman]

Re: WFO Adelaide

This thread will give you some ideas. I made mine from aluminium offcuts from the scrap metal dealer and that was easy enough (and very economical). The thread also offers other options and places to purchase tools.

Enjoy your oven.

P.S. I wouldn't have any brush with metal bristles in my oven. I have a natural fibre brickies brush (with a handle fitted) and it has been fine for the last year if you keep it out of the fire) not good to eat those bristles. Just my opinion.

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f28/...alia-3360.html

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: WFO Adelaide

I agree with Steve and Dave, I have brass brush I won't use any more since I do not want to risk getting a bristle in my food. My main tools are a wood peel for loading, a small SS peel for turning and a old garden hoe for moving coals around and removing ash. Look for some scrap SS or aluminum and make your own tools. If you can build an oven you can build your own tools.

[Wambat]

Re: WFO Adelaide

Now a question - any suggestions as to where to buy reasonably priced tools? I am looking for a brass bristle brush with scraper, and perhaps a curved shovel. Even with freight it seems my best option is to buy online from the States.
Good cooking.

Have you tried Gaganis Bros on South Road, Hindmarsh?

[david s]

Re: WFO Adelaide

I agree with Steve and Dave, I have brass brush I won't use any more since I do not want to risk getting a bristle in my food. My main tools are a wood peel for loading, a small SS peel for turning and a old garden hoe for moving coals around and removing ash. Look for some scrap SS or aluminum and make your own tools. If you can build an oven you can build your own tools.

I like to use a blowpipe (1/2") copper pipe is pretty good, to clear the ash from the floor. It's also helpful in starting the fire or reigniting the flame if it dies at any time when firing.

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: WFO Adelaide

Good reminder Dave, I do have a 3 foot piece of 3/8" SS tubing for the same thing.

[cobblerdave]

Re: WFO Adelaide

G'day
I tried the blowpipe thing. My son broke an old golf club on the cloths line ( cane toad golfing). The handles a good length , hollow and has a taper, so it worked well till someone threw it out. But slapping the peel on the hearth is pretty easy. I also use some rags wired to the end of a stick as a wet mop when I do a complete coal clean out before baking.
Regards dave

[applor]

Re: WFO Adelaide

Hi cookm02,

I am intrigued by using those Hebel powerpanels as the hearth support as I will be building my 2nd oven later this year.
When you say glued together, you mean horizontally together to form an area 1800x1800?

If so that is rather large, you must be building a big oven or plan to have a large bench area around the oven.
Got any pics you can attach to your post(s)?

[cobblerdave]

Re: WFO Adelaide

Hi cookm02,

I am intrigued by using those Hebel powerpanels as the hearth support as I will be building my 2nd oven later this year.
When you say glued together, you mean horizontally together to form an area 1800x1800?

If so that is rather large, you must be building a big oven or plan to have a large bench area around the oven.
Got any pics you can attach to your post(s)?

G'day
You can get block as well and build the stand out of hebel, just glue it together. It also has insulation properties.
Check out oasiscdm build in the Aust section.
Regards dave

[petanque]

Re: WFO Adelaide

Caterfix at Hindmarsh have pizza peels