Cob/clay new build base - advice please!

[bintanman]

Morning all,

I'm building an 'Earth Oven' in my garden. I have a spot behind an existing flint wall, where I have dug a circle 1m deep and 1.2 diameter. I have filled the bottom with rubble and levelled it with concrete to form a solid base.

I have tried to read Kino Denver's book 'Build Your Own Earth Oven' a few times but I am struggling to adapt the principles to my circumstances. I have attached a couple of photos of my project so far, but I have a couple of questions;

1. As you can see from the photos I have dug a hole in the ground behind a supporting wall. Should I 'line' the hole? I don't really want to because a) I don't have patience and b) I know someone will suggest something that requires building skills, such as bricklaying, which I don't possess. Could I use something 'easy' to line the hole, such as cob or clay or some other mix I can just chuck in and shape?

2. The insulating layer - in the book it describes using glass bottles and making my own 'mortar'. Is this a good thing? The book suggests using sawdust and clay to hold it call together. Is there a better way of insulating? Again please consider my patience/non building skills approach. Should the glass bottles remain empty or should I be filling them with something?

I have many more questions but I need to get this bit sorted first. I am desperately trying to be methodical and patient with this hence 'one step at a time'.

Thanks in advance!

Nick

[rivergirl]

My base was brick built,,, my first time at laying bricks. I I filled this with alternating layers of sand and bottles. Hope this helps until one of the brains come online!

[bintanman]

Did you leave your bottles empty? Wondering if there is merit in the air inside the bottles helping the insulation (a bit like a glass duvet?).

[rivergirl]

Yes the bottles were empty!