Surrey Pompeii build

[adm]

And so it begins....

After much learning and pondering, we are breaking ground today on our outdoor kitchen & patio project. This is going to take a long time as it will get fitted in around work, family etc, but I am excited to finally get going on it!

Not much to share yet other than a quick photo of the area:



The sandy bit at the front and right side of the image is where the existing patio was, the earthy bit in the centre was grass, but will be patio and the outdoor kitchen and WFO will go up against the wall on the left - probably with the slab for the WFO to the nearside of the pier.

I've got about 120 sq. m of Indian sandstone sitting in the garage for this, but haven't ordered any of the WFO material yet. I'm going to get the slab for the base down in the next few days weather permitting.

The plan is for a split level patio, with a raised bed along the left side edged with railway sleepers, and the kitchen area in the middle of that. I'm planning a 100cm diameter Pompeii, about 1.5m of prep space, a sink and a built in charcoal grill with storage underneath everything. Will also run power and water out to the kitchen area.

Anyway.....it feels good to be finally started! The goal is to get the WFO done for next summer. But I won't hold my breath as I need to get the patio area complete first to keep the family happy, and only then do I get to potter about and build an oven!

[adm]

And almost straight away, I have a question.....

I have loads of concrete paving bricks that the old patio area was made from. I just had a thought that I could use these to build the stand for the oven instead of buying new concrete blocks. Reuse and recycle and all that....

Any problem with this - they should be at the very least as strong as house bricks, and my plan is to render the outside or use a finishing skin of rustic brick anyway, so they won't be seen....

[bookemdanno]

Way-hey...off we go again! Good luck with the project, and you seem like you've given yourself a decent deadline too. As your building through the winter season, i'd recommend getting yourself a gazebo. They are so handy to keep drizzle off, and work areas dry to maximise your working days. I even rig up an old security light to a flex, with a 100w bulb in, to extend the evenings/afternoons too.
Those conrete pavers are pretty much a small dense concrete block anyway, definitely lighter and easier to lay! They can be a bit messy and stain easily from the mortar, but as you're thinking of rendering it all its not a problem for you! They can easily float if your mortar is too wet too, as they can be low on the suction front. A bit of trial and error, or a test course or two can soon sort that out though. Just lay as normal bricks. Not sure of your design for the base, but if you've enough pavers, maybe a bonded, or tied double skin is the best way to go, so that you have a decent wall thickness? Ah...just read that you might be using a normal brick outer course too, either way, i think you'll be fine with the pavers. If your double skinning, then its best to build both as you go, and get some wall ties between courses.

Good Luck! It looks a really nice plan, and project!

[adm]

A Gazebo is definitely on the cards - and a light for when the nights draw in.

I do own a ratty old gazebo anyway, which should be fine if I can just remember who I lent it to....

I think the pavers will do just fine for the inside of the base, with a brick outer skin tied in (although the pavers are thinner than a regular brick, but i reckon ties can be bent).

Glad I thought of that as it will save a few quid on blocks! Still - I have never laid a brick in my life, so it will be fun getting up to speed with that. I might buy one of those "bricky's friend" mortar jigs....

[suitord]

Looks like a big project! All the best.
I used one of those Bricky's friend thingys for brickwork, and while a bit fiddley it was a lot neater than it would have been otherwise! ( I too has never laid a brick before - found the base good training for the dome)
David

[adm]

Today we be mostly putting down geotextile membrane, shovelling 10 tonnes of roadstone and then compacting - assuming we can get the Wacker started!

[petec]

Good Luck - looks like you will have a brilliant outdoor pizza oven and dining are when youre done.

I suspect you'll be eating wood-fired pizza before it all gets landscaped though !

cheers
PeteC