modular oven build near Hull

[ducky]

I unexpectedly had some time to myself this weekend so made a start on my oven base. my plan was to have 2" of type 1 hard core with 4" reinforced concrete for the base however I got carried away digging whilst listening to a zz top album so its now going to have to be 4" type 1 with 5" concrete lol!

We had snow overnight so i'll have to wait to make the shuttering and pour the concrete.

[ducky]

I forgot to mention I am planning on including a charcoal bbq into the design that can be removed and replaced with a worktop when not in use!

[starseeker]

Looking forward to following your build

[ducky]

I managed to grab a few hours in the week to make the shuttering and cut the rebar to size. All being well I'll be able to pour the concrete tomorrow as the temperature for the next few days is meant to be warm(ish).

I took a couple of photo's of the oven I bought as I can't find any info, reviews or threads regarding Etna ovens on here.

[ducky]

yesterday was quite a nice day so I poured the base. luckily the frost kept away over night and it seems to be drying out ok. I'm thinking of leaving the shuttering in place (unless anyone thinks it's a bad idea) the slab is below ground level as I don't want to be able to see it once the oven is finished.

I also shifted the bricks and blocks round the back ready to start laying them.

[ducky]

Thought I'd have a trial run to check the layout is ok and works out. the bricks are right on the edge of the foundation slab however the weight of the oven and its base will all be supported on the inner blocks which should ensure some "spread" on the foundation. feel free to give any  advice, tips, comments etc.

[cobblerdave]

G'day
That slab still needs to cure its a chemical thing not drying out like you think. In fact letting it dry out leaves it weak . Cover from the sun and water over the first week with your hose.
It takes about a month to come to full strength but you'll be able to build on it in a week or two.
As it cures it will lose that green grey colour and go a ligher grey
Regards dave

[simon]

I imagine your base will be strong enough for several ovens :-)

Having said that, what is it's weight? I can't see how you lift it other than by manpower.

[kstronach]

nice bricks, they would have built a nice oven!

[ducky]

I better leave it a week or so before I do any more then Dave. As for keeping the sun off it, the chance would be a fine thing. I don't think we'll be seeing it round these parts for at least another 2 months. 

Simon your right, it weighs about 160kg it was a bit of a struggle for 2 of us to lift it on to a wheelbarrow get it into my back garden then set in down on the pallet again. I'm planning on recruiting a few of the lads from work to lift it onto the base with me. I'll temp them with the offer of a takeaway when we're on nights!

[ducky]

The bricks are called topaz. I have a friend who manages a builders merchants and is doing them at a good rate for me. I'm now wondering if I should have had ago at building my own oven from scratch but its too late as I've bought it now. 

[ducky]

The weather has been good for the last few days so I accepted the offer of a hand and cracked on with the base.

I placed a DPC after the 3rd course in addition to putting water proofer in the mortar. probably overkill but I had it left over from the base so thought I'd use it up

[ducky]

I thought I'd try and make the arch former out of kingspan as it is easy to cut. It worked well and saved a load of time as opposed to making one out of ply

[ducky]

As this is only the second time I have layed bricks the going was slow. The youtube tutorial seems to be working though!

[ducky]

I am having problems up loading multiple images to the site so will have to add them a couple at a time.