Designing (or copying) a portable WFO

[dimmaz88]

Hello folks, I'm planning to build a more portable/lightweight pizza oven. Like the one pictured..





I have a few questions regarding this type of oven.

1. Do they have enough mass to be efficient?
2. Is having the mass just as the base enough to hold temerature?
3. Does anyone have any experience with one?

My idea is to make a rack for the back of my campervan, mount the oven to it, and sell pizza as I travel.

Any help appreciated

[oblertone]

I've used a similar one at a mates house, worked well; quick to get up to temp as there's less mass to heat, you do need to feed it thin sticks to keep a rolling flame but it cooks pizza as long as you're willing to keep it hot.

[dimmaz88]

Thanks for the reply. I thought that would be the case with keeping a flame going, I suppose that's not much of an issue. I like the piece of angle steel to keep the embers in place.

Do you happen to know how thick the base is? Do you think 25mm would be enough, or should I go for 50mm?

From what you noticed, is there any mass in the vault or will that just be insulated? I was thinking of just filling the cavities with perlite.

[oblertone]

By the time I'd finished cooking on it I was severely affected by cider; however, from memory there is some sort of cast dome/arch, but not very thick. The outer metal skin is not user friendly when the oven is in use. As to the floor I can't say for certain but think it's 25mm tiles, which would make sense for pizza but wouldn't be any good for retained heat cooking.

[dimmaz88]

Good to know thanks.

Do you think if I used 50mm of bricks for the slab, I'd get away with just insulating the vault?

I think I'll probably try it that way first anyway, I can always add more mass should it need it.