Oven build in Maidenhead

[holyportgio]

Last weekend I started digging the hole for the foundation - first job and commitment to build the oven I've planning for about a year.

Here are some pics of the build so far (1 week's work).

I first marked the area of the foundation and started digging...

[holyportgio]

I ended up going down with about 3 - 4" of hard core and a slab of around 80mm

[holyportgio]

Breaking old bricks, and slabs was hard work but spread over a few evenings


I used the ballast to make smooth surface for mu dpc

[rivergirl]

Cannot wait for the start of the build photos!

[cannyfradock]

Holyportgio

Nice start. Perfect foundations for your base. All the best with the next stages.

Terry

[holyportgio]

I used this reinforcement mesh for the slab supported off 40mm the damp proof membrane. The slab was poured using a hard cement and ballast mix between 1-1.5 cement to 4 ballast. I should be able to park a van on it!



I've gone dense concrete blocks (half the price but twice the pain - back ache handling them). They're quite easy to cut using a hammer and a bolster chisel.

[holyportgio]

I spent most of the day setting out the blocks and laying the majority of two block courses. I've gone for an opening on both side and a wall between them to give extra support to the hearth slab. I'm going to leave some gaps in the mid wall to encourage cross flow under the hearth which should help dry the logs.