Decision time - after 5 years !

[Sherlock]

Firstly, thanks to every one on the site, administrators and contributors- all your work is much appreciated, much encouragement gained !
After starting my oven construction 5 (yes five) years ago as part of a major renovation/ rebuild project I am finally at the 'oven' stage -well almost
I incorporated the base as part of the garden wall build and a bit more has been added every year.
The initial footings were circa Jan 2007 - but the only photo I have is - Nov 2007

crakr.blogspot.com/p/oven-construction.html

Please bear with me as I have never used a forum properly before !
Just a quick bit of background before my dilemma..............

So this brings us to summer last year......

[Sherlock]

............ so the problem - which oven to go for ?? It seems to be a common thread.... the more you research the less you know ! 5 years ago the choice was a lot more limited and getting materials a major effort - I nearly ended up getting old bricks from Cemex cement kilns, but then found they would actually get too hot !!
Research now unearths endless options......
So to cut a long story short, I've decided to go modular (a mixture of laziness, convenience, time etc)
I seem to be down to about 5 choices (but that could change by tomorrow !)

1 Forno Bravo
www.fornobravoukshop.co.uk/casa2g-110-pizza-oven-kit-97-p.asp
First because its were I started........
Pro - great looking oven, well tested in states, great support/ forum, nice design
Con - blxxdy expensive, UK support inconsistent to say least - I think they are more interested in installation !

2 Kiln Linings
kilnlinings.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21&products_id=170
Pro - Support and service second to none - genuinely the best service I've had for long time, quick efficient, helpful. Excellent package, great value for money including everything needed including cement, clay etc even pizza peel ! UK made
Con - still can't convince myself over the chimney location ! Door on, whats to stop heat shooting up chimney ??, small landing.

3 Vitcas
shop.vitcas.com/vitcas-wood-fired-bread-pizza-oven-539-p.asp
Pro - really nice looking oven, great door and thermostat with glass insert, well established company (1882) in refractory materials, nice integration of base and oven, very helpful staff (thanks Dagmar !)
solid bit of kit !
Con - chimney still not isolated from oven, but at least out of dome ! Can't find any feedback or reviews.

4 Woodfire Gourmet
here due to usage by the guys on this forum !
www.woodfire-gourmet.co.uk/800mm-dome-oven-kits.php
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wood-Fired-Pizza-Oven-/190639607373?_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D1%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6460494476836040076#ht_738wt_932

sorry must break off - needed by missus !
will continue later.............................. guess No 5 !

[rivergirl]

Not your common or garden base design congrats and hopefully you will get a wealth of feedback shortly !!

[Tom B]

You can always modify a modular oven to have the finished requirements you want. The chimney can always be built into the brick arch you build yourself, for example, whilst you can block the pre-made flue ( Kiln Linings) with suitable refractory materials; make your own insulated door to fit behind the chimney (Vitcas).
I have to say if I was buying again I would definitely be looking at the Woodfire Gourmet ovens as they look to be great value for money and are well designed.

[cannyfradock]

Sherlock

I've sat on the fence far too long in "not" voicing my own opinions of modular ovens.

Forno Bravo. James has been in this business for a long time and his ovens would be first class..although top end...price wise. I know that Alf Armstrong "Armstrong ovens" was an agent for FB ovens. He is a brilliant oven builder in his own right and would be a reputable installer. Likewise Amrit of "Woodfire ovens" used to install FB ovens. He again is a WFO builder who knows his onions when it comes to installing modular ovens....not sure if he is still a FB agent.

Kiln Linings.....Liam is THE man when it involves refractory products. He has supplied a good majority of our members with their refractory products for self builds and with his discounts for members he has been quite an active supplier.

Your concern about his chimney position on his modular ovens is justified. Perhaps a chimney damper could be introduced.

Vitcas......the only company that never replied to our old forum. Nevertheless a well established company with a good name. Never looked at their oven....so can't comment.

Woodfire Gourmet.....I don't think we've had any feedback on their product (I could be wrong) but their prices seem to be very competative....forget the dome with the flue in the center of the dome.

There are of course lots of other modular oven suppliers. If you are thinking of FB and Vitcas, then perhaps have a look at Dingley Dell....another top end product, but a price that seems to justify "what you pay for"

The best option as far as WE are concerned ..is option 6......have a go at building one yourself.....we'll give you all the help and support you need.

Can't decide which is best.....your oven base, or....the view from your back garden.

I hope I haven't complicated your choice ...even further.

Terry

[turkey]

lovely looking base, shame self build is off the menu as that's some fine brick work. :-)

I have no pre cast experience, I half remember Liam from Kiln linings say you could alter the placement of the chimney although don't quote me on that.
all the big name pre builds look great to me tho, and the ones with custom doors specifically look amazing and will look a real pro install.

I wonder how much heat is lost when the door is shut, as heat will rise but if the door is a semi decent air seal it will be hard for the air to leave, also I guess this is only a concern for bread baking, and you could make an internal door for when you want to leave it for retained heat cooking?

[Calaf]

Glad to see you back from Reichenbach.

Nice looking base, deserves the best to sit on it.

I wonder how much heat is lost when the door is shut...

My concern would be heating the thing up in the first place.

[Sherlock]

Thanks guys - great thoughts already...........

just to finish !...........

5 Stone bake oven
www.thestonebakeovencompany.co.uk/shop/wood-pizza-ovens/rocca/
sorry, the IT geek in me just loves the web site
gallery not shoddy either
Con - far too expensive. champagne taste, beer money

6 Thanks !!
Thought I had run away from this - but now you've got me rethinking again
The base was initially designed, all those years ago, for the forno bravo / Rado plans !!
That 42" oven is calling me again........
Still time - just back from Travis to order a block and beam floor for the oven - yes thats how lazy I am, can't be bothered to cast a concrete slab !! (actually, don't want concrete all over patio/ brickwork) - only £60 for 7 beams so not much cost diff ! Blocks 95p ea.
Thanks again for all the help and encouragement....

[turkey]

Feb 20, 2012 22:39:34 GMT Calaf said:

Glad to see you back from Reichenbach.

Nice looking base, deserves the best to sit on it.

I wonder how much heat is lost when the door is shut...

My concern would be heating the thing up in the first place.

even I would open the door for firing, even I am not that daft.... I think. ;-)

I do also worry a little on these secret recipient casting materials and their thermal retention. I am sure they all work, its just weird how its all so secret or vaguely explained.

we should write to which? And demand they start to do their in depth reviews of brick ovens. :-)

beam and block base is a new one on me so can't wait to see it in action.

[dabwood]

Simon

Great looking base and love the idea of the beam and block slab. Didn't release you could get beams to suit this size of project! (Certainly saves mixing, curing, reinforcement, formwork, etc)

Its great to see the variety of methods on this site, I'm sure I saw someone on another post using what looked like precast concrete manhole rings to build their base rather than walls - which again I thought was a great solution.

I certainly understand your situation with regards to the choice on oven types, having been there myself. I hope whatever you decide works out for you.

Dave

[itsafish]

Thats a quality base! stunning countryside as well, I recently built an oven on a similar base and used a kiln linings oven kit and found it easy to install with a very good after after sales service, so they have a recommendation from me.
Good luck with the rest of the build.
Kind regards Lee

[cannyfradock]

Hi Lee

If you had the time could you transfer the meaty bits of your build over to this forum...in here.. ukwoodfiredovenforum.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=modovens ....here's how... ukwoodfiredovenforum.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=info&action=display&thread=46

Terry

[cannyfradock]

Sherlock

I've used block and beam many times before (I'm using it now on a 18m x 24m new build. I never thought of using them for a WFO build.....brilliant idea.

Terry

[bookemdanno]

i considered block and beam also, but my proposed oven storage area didn't seem a big enough entity. Good idea, and i look forward to its appearance!

[Sherlock]

And we're off - the race to Spring/ Summer begins.........

The oven arrives....



Closely followed by Travis....



You wait ages and then it all arrives at once !

The kit........ seriously heavy beams - more later !



Thanks guys, now raising oven to elbow height ;D
Need 4 more courses of bricks - brickie here Monday !



Bit more on blog - crakr.blogspot.com/p/oven-construction.html

On we go !!