Spring Project,

[garyb21]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum and I'm verify impressed with the content, I'm starting a project soon to build. Wood fired oven and maybe a BBQ beside it. I have cheated a bit because I've bought a pre cast oven and base, but I would appreciate and advise I can get re building and insulation etc, Thanks guys.  Ps, this is what in hopping to achieve,::-))  

[chas]

Hi and welcome, Gary

you'll find a wealth of info willingly shared here. I started off in ukwoodfiredovenforum.proboards.com/thread/1919/insulation-tips as I hadn't really considered insulation - it didn't feature at the day-course I went to about building an oven. Frankly, I was hoping to be encouraged not to bother as I just wanted to crack on in the fashion I'd planned, with the materials I had to hand. But insulation is a consideration if you ever want to use the oven for long, slow cooking or anything else other than the 'flash cooking' of pizza.

Good luck, keep posting and don't forget the progress pics!

Chas

[cannyfradock]

Hello Gary.....welcome to the forum.

There are many modular/kit form/pre-cast ovens available on the market now. They differ considerable in quality depending who you bought them from. Some modular ovens don't need extra insulation but most do. It's always best to ask advice from your supplier on these issue's....as they know their ovens best. Just remember that if all you have a solid refractory concrete, then you need some sort of insulation barrier above the dome and below the hearth to stop the heat dissipating from the dome. The link that chas posted is very useful.

Your best bet on getting idea's to have a BBQ/Grill etc built alonngside your oven is to look at all the oven builds....especially Pompeii ovens on the index page as many of the builds have BBQ's/prep tables etc built at the same time. One of the best "add-ons" to a pizza oven that I've seen is the polished counter top/prep table cast by Duncan M... www.brickovenbuild.com/images/links/2014/DSC_0048.jpg

There are a few construction photos on my last build which may give you some idea of building methods.. ukwoodfiredovenforum.proboards.com/thread/1811/kate-humbles-90cm-pompeii-monmouth

Terry

p.s...Nice build Chas....wish I had your skill/patience in cutting those dome bricks.

[garyb21]

Thanks guys I really appreciate your advise, I'll keep you posted, 

[garyb21]

Well, the location has been confirmed after many options, we've dug the foundations and cut the re-bar,, moving forward now! 

[rivergirl]

I have another build, hopefully my soil here will be good enough, just got to find the poop and straw! Looking forward to seeing yours grow!

[garyb21]

Thanks rivergirl, look forward to seeing it, plenty of poop n straw here! Stable in village, lol

[garyb21]

So phase one complete, base is done, and as you all know!! It's all about the base!! Here's to hoping the weather is kind to me? Fingers n toes crossed,

[rivergirl]

Everything crossed for you! Good luck

[garyb21]

I know I'm thinking ahead, but what wood is recommended for fuel? I've got some pine and poplar I use for the wood burning stoves but I've been told it's not reccomended?

[cobblerdave]

G'day
Wet or unseasoned wood would be " not recommended" but nearly anything that will burn really. I burn Palm fronds myself, the things are a pest so into the oven they go. The smoke doesn't smell as nice as a piece of hardwood. They add a little heat to the oven and you would need a big stack of them and long time to spend stoking them into the oven to gain as much heat as a small stack of well seasoned hardwood.
Regards dave

[chas]

Hi Gary, as per Dave, fuel choice is largely what's available, just bear in mind you're cooking among this stuff - not normally a consideration in a heater. Kilo for kilo, dry wood yields much the same heat (apparently) but smells differently, so the acrid smoke of poplar and the resinous tang of pine could make them less-than-perfect. For cooking I use the same principles as smoking fuel: forest hardwoods: oak/beech/ash/hawthorn/cherry and any fruitwood is fine if you can get it...other stuff if you can't!

Chas

[rivergirl]

Google the wood burning poem, I think it's on here but this would be quicker to find! I use poplar and fruit woods because that's what I can get for nothing! I keep the pine for my chiminea!

[garyb21]

Thanks guys, I'm now on the hunt for building materials AND hardwood, lol appreciate all of your help and advice,  cheers Gary 

[garyb21]

Hi again, I've had a rethink on the build, I'm considering rendering the oven I've bought, can anyone out there please advise me on the procedure and type of render, can I use standard sand and cement render over insulation and mesh? Thanks in advance, Gary