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Post by leetheldc on Aug 24, 2014 14:06:00 GMT
Hi mozo nice progress there. The white stuff sounds like efflorescence basically the salt coming out of the brick and mortar if so it will proberly be primary efflorescence like in this link en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efflorescence just make sure to clean it before you lay a brick on it
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Post by cobblerdave on Aug 24, 2014 23:13:55 GMT
G'day The hazy look of freshly layed brick can oftern be treated with a scrub down with ordinary vinegar and water. Its most probably just the lime giving it the hazy look. Stronger acid can be used as a last resort but they can effect the mortar in the joints. Regards dave
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mozo
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Post by mozo on Aug 25, 2014 21:54:23 GMT
Thank you, I will be cleaning the inside once the dome is complete, hopefully I will be able to get rid of it all. The more of this oven I do the more respect for the knowledge and workmanship you all seem to have!
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mozo
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Post by mozo on Aug 29, 2014 0:30:32 GMT
Just an update on my build... apologies the night time images, its the only time i get to work on the oven. As you can see the dome is taking shape. I didn't realise what the big fuss was about the transition was, until I had to do mine.After a massive headache an hours of tinkering I managed to make it work, and I built quite a lot after that. ...Only a few bricks before I start the curing.
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Post by cobblerdave on Aug 29, 2014 13:15:11 GMT
G'day This is the hardest time in the build I recon. Just finish marring in an arch to a dome with square units "bricks " and with mortar and sticks you now have to fight gravity as well to get that final unit in .... The keystone. Trust me get that final keystone fitted and all of a sudden things change. You'll have a complete dome. Instead of gravity being you enemy it's now you friend. Gravity will then act in you favour and bear down and make the dome a strong structure. The mortars role will change from that of glue to the role of keeping the brick orientated to form a dome. A couple of weeks for the mortar to start to cure and you can stand on the top of that dome without a problem . Regards dave
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mozo
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Post by mozo on Aug 29, 2014 17:08:34 GMT
Placing the final keystone - BEST FEELING EVER! Dome is now complete! and I finished with daylight to spare!
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Post by mozo on Aug 29, 2014 17:22:22 GMT
two question guys, I hope you can help me out. The next step is to do the front arch and chimney, I was reading a few posts regarding a heat break. would you guys advise this, would it be worth doing it for the hearth and the arch or just the arch? I say this because I sawed a block of 100mm in half for the insulation at the front as I had no more CaSi left over and I dont know if this can handle the high temps. Plus I think it may be an easy measure to reduce heat loss. Thanks!
Secondly, I have quite a few bricks left over from the dome. As I have so many could I just make my flue out of them? or must I use a stainless steel flue liner?
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Post by cobblerdave on Aug 31, 2014 12:49:30 GMT
G'day I think your talking about using airated cement block under the hearth, I'd say yes the heart doesn't get that hot. In fact most of the heat you feel on the surface is refected heat from the oven. As for a heat break its really up to you if you feel you need that level of efficiency is worth the effort why not. If you don't it's not a deal breaker like the total lack of insulation or anything that drastic. As for a brick chimney I've got one its wide and low and works well. But its built well away from the house and the wind path doesn't take it to any other house. You might want to consider this in you planning . But you could also build it brick and extend it in the future with steel if required. You can view my oven by using the link at the bottom of the post. Be warned the oven has grown a new entrance and outer shell to what it started out with Regards Dave
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mozo
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Post by mozo on Sept 4, 2014 23:17:29 GMT
Thanks Cobblerdave,
I think I might just take it simple and avoid the heat break. I have also decided to do a brick chimney for now. Your build is incredible, did you make those doors yourself?
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Post by cobblerdave on Sept 5, 2014 5:18:35 GMT
G'day Yes I made them myself. There made from recycled verandah timber from a friends place. Very nearly didn't get made too I might add. Came home and found my son had fired up the oven and was burning the wood. Just had enough for the doors but had to buy some to face the insulated door. Regards dave
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mozo
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Post by mozo on Sept 9, 2014 23:51:25 GMT
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Post by mozo on Sept 9, 2014 23:57:52 GMT
heat blankets went on, covered in aluminum foil and then chiken wire. I put some insulating castable on top of that which is a real pain in the backside... but its DONE!!
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Post by cobblerdave on Sept 10, 2014 12:19:09 GMT
G'day And fine ... Quite neatly . Regards Dave
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Post by leetheldc on Sept 10, 2014 16:21:10 GMT
Hi there mozo wow you have really cracked on well done looking really good did you do that front arch without a former? How are the figs doing you must of had one by now what finish are going for on the dome
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Post by mozo on Sept 10, 2014 18:59:19 GMT
Thanks guys,
Sadly the figs didnt ripen in time and fell of just short of them being ready. BUT I did manage to fire up the open properly today, the heat was immense and so satisfying to see the black sut come off the walls. I managed to cook two chickens in the inaugural fire... came out amazing!
I will hopefully have more pics of the food and the oven soon.
I was using a form to start with as it worked really well for the inner arch. However, it was too hard to properly maneuver the blocks in place when you cant hold them from underneath so I opted to ditch the form and make it free standing, it was slower going as it required quite a few days but it worked out well in the end.
Thanks again to everyone for the help, so pleased I found this forum, no way could I have built this without it!
Sadly, I have one more week to enjoy the oven before I move back to med school in york. I think parents are now happy with the small gift I left them!
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