|
Post by monkeys101 on Feb 6, 2015 1:23:50 GMT
Hi everyone...Just about to start my build and get things going I am really going for the recycle project idea. So far I have gathered over 400 old Glasgow pre 50's brick mostly terracotta, 150 monoblock, 80 pavers, 50 storage heater brick,45 old terracotta tile, 2 slabs of green slate, 12/15 sandstone block, 5 bags of kiln sand and a steel flume about 6ft. All free of charge!! My basic idea is to use an my old circular water tank as a barrel type oven template..I have a sloped garden and was thinking of digging out part of the slope and building my large oven and then bury it allowing it to be hidden behind a bbq bar with just the door showing!! I have recent new built house so its mostly clay.. It would be about 3 to 5 ft under the ground.. I would love to hear what you think before I start digging...Cheers Guys...John. ps has any one used a fire basket in an oven? I was going to chop a washing machine drum in half !!
|
|
simon
valid member
Posts: 33
|
Post by simon on Feb 6, 2015 17:01:57 GMT
Hi monkeys101, I have to say it's hard to understand exactly what it is you intend to build. A common problem with any subterranean construction is damp. Since you want to have a dry oven you need to plan your build carefully. It also sounds like your build may be acting to some degree like a retaining wall. This potentially is also troublesome if you don't construct it properly. So your build sounds like it will have to differ significantly from others on the forum.
|
|
|
Post by rivergirl on Feb 6, 2015 23:02:57 GMT
There was a programme where the oven was built onto a wall in the side of a slope so that it was hidden in the bank of the hill... Sounds similar to what I wanted mt sister to let me build .. I have a small hump in my new garden and " just to do it" am debating giving this a try..... Will be very interested in your build!
|
|
|
Post by chas on Feb 7, 2015 9:16:56 GMT
Random thoughts, not at all intended to put you off, just pondering: If you were going to build the oven brickwork over the water tank using it as a former, you'll either have to do it in a way that allows extraction or experiment with it in the oven as a sort of liner, right?
if you plan to pull it out after the brickwork has set then damp may be a problem as per Simon - most of us struggle with damp even in fully exposed ovens - I think I'd try covering the first skin in a layer of slate slips then another layer of brick to give a slate dpc between brickwork. If you made the first skin 9" instead of the usual 4.5" little heat would get through to 'worry' the slate and should give you plenty of dry brick next to the fire. Slate slips - long pieces no use for roofing - shouldn't be too much of a problem to source: reclaim yards often have bits of roofing slate that are less-than-perfect. If the tank is left in as a liner, direct damp may not be a problem, but it would need to be a pretty robust tank to withstand the considerable heat without degrading and sending a sprinkle of iron flakes down into your pizza...
Interesting idea, keep us posted and include lots of pics!
Chas
|
|
|
Post by cobblerdave on Feb 7, 2015 10:53:20 GMT
G'day I'll chip in as well and say the waterproofing is got to be spot on. Remember the insulation as well... You don't want to spend you time and wood trying to heat a hill... You want to heat the mass of you oven, completely separate from the mass of the hill. You don't use the heater in your car with the windows open do you? You can't heat the whole country with one car heater can you? Same with the Wood fired oven. Regards dave
|
|
|
Post by monkeys101 on Feb 7, 2015 15:42:03 GMT
Well cheers guys ... The water tank is only to assist with the oven shape. It won't be used, but the retaining wall idea is about right. A box built into a hill with an oven in the box..l have to dig a drainage section around the oven, never thought of the damp issue...mmm. My helpers include a engineer and a stonemason, l am sure we'll think of something remember that all materials are to be free or recycled on this project. I am gonna start digging out soon photos will be added. Cheers guys.
|
|
|
Post by buster2001 on Feb 8, 2015 10:01:51 GMT
When I joined the navy many moons ago, we used to do a field cookery course learn to feed the troops with whatever was availiable, this included an oven out of a metal dustbin, I've done this at home in the past dug out a bank slid in the bin fire underneath then baked bread inside, something different !!
Buster
|
|
|
Post by monkeys101 on Feb 8, 2015 20:30:33 GMT
Very cool.. I got more brick today. I believe the best option for my idea to work is wall constructed around the oven with stones lining all sides allowing any water to drain away from the structure. Much like an underground house. Looking at the soil to be dug out it apears to be a heavy clay type. The previous houses were torn down and crushed and built on top of. So the dig should be interesting..
|
|
|
Post by monkeys101 on Feb 8, 2015 21:13:53 GMT
|
|
|
Post by cobblerdave on Feb 8, 2015 22:29:10 GMT
|
|
|
Post by monkeys101 on Feb 8, 2015 23:12:03 GMT
Thats the one.. plenty of room for a bbq bar in front too! My heads full of ideas now.
|
|
|
Post by cobblerdave on Feb 8, 2015 23:28:27 GMT
G'day Or use your oven as a BBq as well. This is known as a Tuscan grill or, really an old grill plate on a few bolts. The coals provide a real nice favour to any thing you cook. The heat gets thrown back from the oven walls making the cook fast and moist. A 500 mm pair of tongs is a must Another idea for you ideas folder. It's not just about pizza Regards dave
|
|
|
Post by monkeys101 on Feb 8, 2015 23:43:10 GMT
www.fornobravo.com/forum/3/i-embark-upon-jouney-journey-destinationi-4420-6.htmlDave I found this monster a couple of minutes ago... I used to shop fit Ikea and other stores and managed to get a load of stainless steel worktops one has a kettle bbq built in so the bar idea would be built around the entrance of the oven.. Using the water tank as a template would give a pretty big oven, but every possible idea will be covered. hoping to have it half started before easter.
|
|
|
Post by cobblerdave on Feb 11, 2015 11:33:29 GMT
G'day Yep that sounds a lot more like the build your after. Read the whole thread, made for an interesting read, think it's cool that the man had his first attempt fall apart. Takes a bit of guts to display your mistakes in a public forum. But he got on with it and finished it off. I like his style. Regards dave
|
|
|
Post by monkeys101 on Feb 12, 2015 0:52:41 GMT
I agree, laid it all out, I didnt see aplan either it as though he made it up as he went along!! So much so I will probably do the same!! Got hold of another 20 storage heater brick and another 50 brick with some blocks...I have got to much but plenty keep me going. Got offered a load of broken tarmac too, could this be used for drainage at the base? was also thinking of painting the outer walls of the structure with bitchiment paint to waterproof them.. these walls would not be in contact with the oven dome or sides..
|
|