Almost done, but working!!

After all the hard work, payoff is here! The oven only has a couple of final things needed (finish the roofing and extend the chimney, but that is about it (and a bit of sanding on the outside). I would estimate about 30+ pizzas have been baked as well as multiple loaves of bread! I love this oven. It was harder to build than I anticipated, but I got it done.

The Fire Chamber is Just About Done!

I had to do a lot of brick cutting, but the fire chamber is just about done. Next step is to seal the oven (concrete cladding 2") and start bringing up the walls and start the final opening and chimney. I have also added a sample pic of what the sturcture will look like when all is said and done. (crossing my fingers).

The First Fire Chamber Arch is In!!

With some fantastic help from my buddy Rique, the first arch of the fire chamber is in.  It took quite a while, but most of the time was spent on prep and calculating/measuring the arch and fitting the bricks.  The next two arches should go up in no time!!  My goal is to finish the chamber this weekend!!

The Oven has started

Well, after finally getting the hearth slab completed along with the ash shute, I hve begun the building of the actual oven (firebricks x 200 YIKES). The tough part is there are many bricks that need to be cut to fit into the triangular gaps between bricks. Once I get these little suckers done the arches can be built. I hope to have the oven completed this weekend and the outside brick structure (700+ bricks) started next week.

Hearth Slab Completed and Ready for the Oven Bricks

After building a frame put on top of metal sheets (to support the soft cement), it was ready to pour (shovel) the cement for the hearth slab. The center of the slab is filled with vermiculite for insullation for the wood storage below. Amazing, everthing turned out very level. Time for the fire bricks - of which I should be starting on Wednesday night!

Hearth Slab and Main Walls

Well after mixing countless bags of 80# cement, I got the base block walls up and filled with cement. It was then time to lay the foundation frame for the hearth slab. Yes, more mixing of cement!

You know kids just love wet cement - well someone in our household just couldn't wait to make their mark in the new cement!! (Cookie wasn't too delicious!)

Foundation Done!

Well I have finally broken ground and the main foundation is done. I have to say I am a bit tired, but looking forward to the fun part of the oven - building it!