Pompeii build in Scottish Highlands

[Bo]

I started building my oven a couple of weeks ago but have had a few holdups. No excuse why I have been so slow to put anything on here but I'll try to rectify that now although I don't have loads of photos but hopefully the ones I have will show the way I have worked.

After digging down to the hard, which was only about 5 inches below the surface, I poured strip founds and built the base with 4 inch blocks. 

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[Bo]

I used a block and beam system to create a base for the oven but didn't take any photos( don't know why!!). On top of that I used thermolite blocks laid flat as an insulation layer then my fire brick floor which I cut so the floor will be within the walls of the oven.

[Bo]

I started off using the indispensable tool method with a homebrew mix of 5:1:1:1. It took me a wee while to get the consistency right as well as how long to soak the firebricks but eventually I got there. I got 7 or 8 courses done but then had to abandon the tool and use the form method. This is a picture of progress made just before starting the form.

[Bo]

As an explanation of the poor pictures this one shows the reason, I had to improvise a bit to create shelter from the rain !!

[swatson]

Hi Bo,

Youve progressed well considering the weather!

[Bo]

The weather has been pretty bad and I have had to improvise a bit but as they say " Rome wasn't built in a day" !!

[Bo]

Great weather at last and finally the dome is complete. This is the first time the dome has been out in the open and I have to admit I am quite pleased with it.

[Bo]

The bit I'm not so pleased with is the keystone which isn't as neat as I would like but it should still do it's job but the actual walls aren't too bad although the joints are a bit bigger than I would have liked !!

[rcorbie]

The dome looks really good! Well done!

R

[cannyfradock]

Bo

If your weather has been anything like ours here in South Wales.....I think you have made remarkable progress. You've ticked all the boxes in your hearth and underhearth insulation boxes.

I think the inside of your dome looks very good for someone who hasn't cut/tapered each brick to suit. I have built about 8 Pompeii ovens and as yet I also haven't cut tapered or "trapazoid" bricks. On my last couple of builds I have used 1" fire brick halves even cut into quarters mixed in the 3" bricks to tighten up the joints. On my first half dozen builds my joints were about the same size as yours and.....they are all still working fine. You have used the homebrew mix so this allows you to have larger joints.

You also seem to have a good even curvature at the top of your dome and it looks like from the photo that you have done a good job of cleaning the interior. (some of my builds haven't been so clever on the last couple of rings with a few ridges where I haven't got the curvature flowing smooth, but I always make sure the underside is full of mortar and clean the bricks as soon as I can.) Don't know what method you used to clean the underside, but you have done a good job......I use a wettish sponge and sponge the whole area off filling in any voids as I go, then, wipe off with a wrung out sponge enough times that it leaves the bricks nice and clean.

After this stage I build my external arch before putting on any insulation layers. As soon as the vent is created in the external arch I start my curing fires.....others may do it differently.

Great set of pictures and I'll do a special fine weather dance to the sun gods for you......there can't be much rain left up there!!

Terry

[rcorbie]

What are your plans for the insulation?

[Bo]

Thanks for your comments lads. I used the same method for cleaning the inside as you Terry, and am quite pleased with the result as well as surprised that I didn't get stuck inside the dome!! I had a bit of a disaster today as I was a bit premature removing the form from my landing arch and the side walls moved. I had to rebuild it as it was cracked and this time I also started the front wall of the enclosure to give support to the arch.

[Bo]

My plan is to build an block enclosure around the dome so I'm planning to use some 100mm kingspan next to the blockwork then fill the space with loose vermiculite. I have got a ceramic blanket to go over the dome as well which will be about 50mm thick. All in all I have left enough space to allow for 6 inches of vermiculite as well as the kingspan, I know it is a bit of over kill but I have plenty of space as well as being given the kingspan so it seemed like a shame not to use it !! I'm planning a pitched slate roof as well to try to keep the rain out.

[Bo]

I meant to say I have left a 10mm gap between the landing/vent and dome as I wanted to create a thermal block, I will fill this with some stove rope I have and hopefully this will help the efficiency. I don't know if this will help and would be interested to hear any opinions.

[cannyfradock]

Bo

You have so many similarities to my last Pompeii build in back of beyond North wales for a small village community oven. I ALSO removed the polystyrene forms from the outer arch moments after laying the keystone.....I always use folding wedges under an arch former. This time I used a flat wedge. I removed the wedge and caught one side of the arch.....this dislodged the arch and the bloody lot fell down (just the outer arch) much to the amusement of the locals who helped me with the build.. ukwoodfiredovenforum.proboards.com/thread/1031/pompeii-oven-build-corris-wales ....not so bad for a brickie as it took just another hour to build it back up again.

I also used fire rope between inner and outer arch as a heat stop. I only had 2 days up there to build hearth and dome so left the locals to fill the gap with fire-mastic. Recently had an e-mail from Rick Mair from www.mairsbakehouse.co.uk/ who held a bread making course with my oven in "Corris" and said.....the oven performed really well.

I like your idea of Kingspan inside your enclosure wall.....never heard of that. With the thermal blanket and vermiculite infill I think your oven will probably have a good 18hr/2 day working capability after a full firing.

Terry