|
Post by farmermike on Aug 1, 2017 11:35:45 GMT
Hi, I'm planning to build a clay/ Cob bread oven. I have a big old iron firepit that is a perfect dome shape. I was thinking of cutting a door and using it for the oven, with a layer of clay on it and an insulating layer. Anyone think of any reason this would not work? The iron dome is just over a metre diameter, thickness varies from quarter to half a cm, it is rusty.
|
|
|
Post by oblertone on Aug 1, 2017 18:34:17 GMT
I can't think of a reason why you shouldn't try; actually, I can. The difference in thermal expansion is much greater in iron than it is in clay, therefore your inner oven will crack your outer dome every time you use it.
However, if you just want to cook pizza then your iron dome just needs insulating to make it useable. The clay/brick/firebrick layer is there to provide a heat store for extended cooking, if you don't need or want that stored heat then your dome will make a serviceable pizza oven, you'll just need to keep feeding it wood.
|
|
|
Post by downunderdave on Aug 1, 2017 21:02:02 GMT
Hi, I'm planning to build a clay/ Cob bread oven. I have a big old iron firepit that is a perfect dome shape. I was thinking of cutting a door and using it for the oven, with a layer of clay on it and an insulating layer. Anyone think of any reason this would not work? The iron dome is just over a metre diameter, thickness varies from quarter to half a cm, it is rusty. One problem is that the high conductivity of the steel dome means that it will also lose its heat quickly.. if you add a layer of a dense, less conductive material like clay in an effort to increase thermal mass, it will crack because the more conductive steel will expand first. This is not really a huge problem as the clay layer would be encapsulated so it can't go anywhere. Try doing a search for "steel dome" at community.fornobravo.com, where there are a couple of builds that have done what you are planning. There's a well documented build here community.fornobravo.com/forum/pizza-oven-design-and-installation/other-oven-types/3837-steel-dome-oven#post3837
|
|