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Post by gracie on Apr 17, 2016 18:15:14 GMT
Well, I've been reading, researching, bidding on random eBay stuff and scouring gumtree and freecycle for bargains. Today I spent the first cash on virgin materials to get the build underway. the base is a bit of a hotch potch of blocks and slabs recovered from my (and the neighbours) gardens. I lucked out on some solid sandstone blocks from gumtree. £30 the lot. I'm building a serving area to the side, 80cm by 95cm to take a piece of black granite I picked up off eBay for £23. Just laying them out at the moment to work out if I have enough, and what to do about the last course....not enough room for another course, but I'm guessing once it's mortared the gap won't be that big...course of yellow bricks maybe? Husband says it's not bad....for a girl! I told him to put on something pretty and iron my shirts!
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Post by oblertone on Apr 18, 2016 9:10:56 GMT
Not bad at all, for anyone ! It really is the gift that keeps on giving; mine did 35 pizzas on Saturday night, two loaves from leftover bases and roasted a leg of lamb on Sunday so keep on building.
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Post by gracie on Apr 22, 2016 20:05:36 GMT
It's dome time! Used some acrylic balls to bulk out the forme. Used 4.5 bags of sand in the end I cut out a circle of card to help with the hearth layout. One of the kids hula hoops helped keep the diameter true and the leftover card cutout came in handy to check the shape in section. Dome is now tucked up in bed with a blanket of wet newspaper. Dumb question....for the clay layer, does it matter if you use builders sand or sharp? Thanks
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Post by gracie on Apr 24, 2016 6:49:00 GMT
Boy, that was hard work! 4 hours of enforced child labour helps! I used smooth terracotta from a local potter...cheap and really easy to use as its silky soft. The sand was quite damp ( used builders sand rather than sharp, if that's wrong it's too late!) so didn't add any water for most batches. A couple required a splash. The thickness is about 100mm. I had planned slightly less, but although it settled a bit, it wasn't really what I'd call a slump! Left it overnight with a picnic blanket on as there was a risk of frost and I'll cut the doorway today. What's the timescale for sand removal? Not brave enough to sweep it all out in one hour!
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Post by cobblerdave on Apr 24, 2016 9:18:54 GMT
G'day Cob ovens have the sand slowly dug out from completion. Some lite candles are introducted to dry the surfaces as they are uncovered. And small drying fires are introduced to dry the clay out and stop it collapsing. Regards dave
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Post by gracie on Apr 24, 2016 11:13:10 GMT
Digging out was like a giant game of ker-plunk! The plastic balls held up well. Disaster struck, however...think I may have gone too quickly...the opening has sunk. Still about half full towards the back, so put in some tea lights and hope for the best. Should I build up the front again to support or leave the new line to dry?
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awalker
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Started a blog http://adamwalkerinuk.blogspot.co.uk/
Posts: 97
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Post by awalker on Apr 24, 2016 12:34:08 GMT
Looking good.
As cobblerdave says worth drying it out as you go. Tea lights or very small fires
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Post by gracie on Apr 24, 2016 13:59:32 GMT
Yeah, rookie mistake! I was so proud of the way it was looking too! I've popped an upturned bowl under the front lip to prevent any further dropping and I'll keep the tea lights going. Thinking ahead to the entrance arch and chimney. I ve read all the threads I can see for a cob oven. Any gems of wisdom welcome before I mess up! Thanks guys.
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Post by cobblerdave on Apr 24, 2016 22:17:23 GMT
G'day Sometimes you have to except that handmade has a bit of character about it. Store bought can be a little bland and perfect. Regards Dave
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Post by oblertone on Apr 25, 2016 7:17:06 GMT
Great consistency in thickness, and I wouldn't worry in the slightest about your minor slump; your pizza guests certainly won't !
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Post by gracie on Apr 27, 2016 18:21:00 GMT
It's been a good day despite the English weather throwing down hail, rain and snow in April! Happened upon a skip outside a house renovation and a quick enquiry saw me walk away with a bootfull of firewood, mostly soft, but that's ok to start off drying fires. Also found a couple of meters of flexible flue liner and some bricks. Reclamation yard came good with these lovely old single bullnose bricks for my entrance arch. Should look nice when they're all cleaned up. Dome is drying nicely thanks to a leftover box of catering chafing fuel( you know, the little cans that sit under the breakfast buffet!) they burn for 8 hours .
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Post by cobblerdave on Apr 27, 2016 20:42:57 GMT
G'day Like those bullnose bricks Regards dave
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Post by oblertone on Apr 27, 2016 22:41:14 GMT
I used a similar brick for my arch entry, just the other way up; it's a good job we're all different!
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Post by gracie on Apr 28, 2016 5:48:44 GMT
Haha! I debated for ages on which way round to put them !
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annie
valid member
Posts: 27
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Post by annie on Apr 28, 2016 9:50:45 GMT
You have done a brilliant job Gracie, can;t believe it's your first oven - good idea the child labour - it's nice to get a bit back lol, bet they can't wait to make pizzas now? Ann
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