Clay Pavers would they be suitable for Dome?

[carbones]

Hi, I'm a newbie in Oxford and have just finished my base, which I'm quite pleased with as most of the material was free/recycled. Have been researching and deliberating about the actual oven build, this forum is great. Originally I had in mind a Clay oven, but as I'm on my own with this project, decided that the Clay puddling excercise would take too long and would drive me nuts. So have decided on a brick dome, but can only afford Firebricks for the hearth (oven floor). I have found a source of Clay pavers (a bit thinner than standard bricks) but really cheap, so I was wondering if they would be ok for the dome (cut in half) and would I need to join them with Fireclay (or Refractory cement) or would the 'Homebrew' suffice?
I also have some Storage Heater bricks, would they substitute for the Oven floor?

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

[chas]

Nov 1, 2017 21:39:20 GMT carbones said:

Hi, I'm a newbie in Oxford and have just finished my base, which I'm quite pleased with as most of the material was free/recycled. Have been researching and deliberating about the actual oven build, this forum is great. Originally I had in mind a Clay oven, but as I'm on my own with this project, decided that the Clay puddling excercise would take too long and would drive me nuts. So have decided on a brick dome, but can only afford Firebricks for the hearth (oven floor). I have found a source of Clay pavers (a bit thinner than standard bricks) but really cheap, so I was wondering if they would be ok for the dome (cut in half) and would I need to join them with Fireclay (or Refractory cement) or would the 'Homebrew' suffice?
I also have some Storage Heater bricks, would they substitute for the Oven floor?

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Hi Carbones, and welcome.

You could use the clay pavers for both the dome and the floor - in essence I did: reclaimed soft reds for the dome, pavers ('pamments' here in Norfolk) for the floor. A firebrick or storage heater floor would/might retain heat better.
I built the dome with 50/50 potters clay and sand, puddled by treading together on a board. Took no longer than any other mortar mixing and has the great advantage it sticks the bricks together while you work in a way that mortar can't - an advantage that becomes apparent as the joints get more vertical. Otherwise, yes, homebrew, fireclay, refactory cement, lime mortar will all do the job, personally I see no point in forming a joint stronger than the components you're joining, go for the one easiest/cheapest. The dome would sit there without mortar, it would just leak heat. Commercial ovens are sometimes made that way ie 'dry jointed' for ease, and a cement slurry poured over and worked into the open joints.

Bon Voyage, keep us posted!

Chas

[carbones]

Thanks Chas, really appreciate the advice. I was also wondering if a winter build was unadvisable, it would be quite stop start, otherwise will have to wait til spring for the oven build.
Any tips for a winter build would be much appreciated.

[devontiger]

carbones, another member on here had a folding Gazebo, & positioned it over the build.

Or, Build a wooden Gazebo first, then the oven.

[downunderdave]

clay pavers are not designed for high heat application. They may or may not be suitable. As the floor takes a greater beating it is wise to use firebricks there. Pavers that contain a high proportion of iron are more likely to spall and can be recognised by their reddish colour. If possible select creamy coloured pavers which are more likely, but no guarantee, to be more suitable. Many builders have used common red bricks for the dome with success although not for the floor.

Regarding mortar the best and cheapest mortar for a wood fired oven temperature range is the homebrew, which is 3 parts sand, 1 part builders lime, 1 part Bricklayers clay, 1 part Portland cement.

[carbones]

Like a 'Man Cave' perhaps?

I think that a Gazebo sounds a good idea.

[carbones]

Thanks for advice Dave

Does anyone know where you can buy Builders Clay in the UK, can't deem to find it online, except in Australia!

[downunderdave]

Any clay is suitable, but avoid bentonite as it’s extremely small particles create excessive shrinkage which tends to create more shrinkage cracks. I use bricklayer and rendering clay because it’s the cheapest. Try brick supplies, failing that try potters suppliers and get a bag of powdered ball clay.