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Post by chriss on Jul 10, 2020 10:09:14 GMT
hi all
Just joined the forum so thought I would say hello
I'm just about to start my oven build, I e got all the base done, now ready for the fun bit.
I'll try and work out how to get some pics in here then I'll post some of what I've got so far.
A question if I may
What thickness of brick is best used for the cooking base, I've got 76mm bricks but was thinking could I get away with cutting the done to 35mm or best just to leave them as they are?
Cheers
Chris
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Post by mikeb21 on Jul 13, 2020 18:27:28 GMT
I'm still planning my build but from what I've read the base needs to be well insulated to retain the heat. I've already got an existing 60mm thick concrete slab, my original plan was to sit on top of this 25mm insulation sheet and then 45mm thick storage heater bricks. Top of my concrete slab is 92cm off the group so I'd end up with 92+2.5+4.5 = 99cm working height for the floor. I've read various different sites, some say the concrete slab should be minimum 8cm thick and others go as far as 15cm such as this one which also recommends a working height of 110cm: www.valorianiuk.com/blogs/the-base-specifications-of-a-wood-fired-pizza-oven/I've picked up some very cheap 65mm thick fire bricks, so I'm currently thinking I might go with: 60mm concrete, 65mm fire bricks, 25mm insulation + 45 mm heater bricks Thats probably overkill but would increase the floor height to 92+6.5+2.5+4.5 = 105.5cm (probably a little higher with sand/mortar between layers. |
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Post by oblertone on Jul 14, 2020 8:42:39 GMT
As a general rule the height of the cooking floor should be at the elbow height of the main user; otherwise you’ll be stooping and uncomfortable when using the oven.
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Post by chriss on Jul 14, 2020 22:09:19 GMT
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Post by mikeb21 on Jul 14, 2020 23:28:58 GMT
As a general rule the height of the cooking floor should be at the elbow height of the main user; otherwise you’ll be stooping and uncomfortable when using the oven. Good rule of thumb that....just measured and my elbow height is 108cm so probably do need to go higher/thicker if not for insulation but to increase the working height! Looking very good and a very big working area, wish I'd planned for bigger base / area when I started! |
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Post by chriss on Jul 15, 2020 6:05:37 GMT
Thanks for that link Mikeb,
I see that they advise not to use metal reinforcement,opps! im going to have to sit and pray i don't get issues.
I got some rebar in the main part and a catnic lintel to the rear of the arch,
Now thinking do I re lay the base, a pain in the rear job, but I would be gutted if it all started to crack up with every thing finished.
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Post by mikeb21 on Jul 15, 2020 7:23:05 GMT
Thanks for that link Mikeb, I see that they advise not to use metal reinforcement,opps! im going to have to sit and pray i don't get issues. I got some rebar in the main part and a catnic lintel to the rear of the arch, Now thinking do I re lay the base, a pain in the rear job, but I would be gutted if it all started to crack up with every thing finished. I've got rebar in my concrete plinth hence why its only 60mm thick as with the rebar its more than strong enough to take my weight. From weeks/months looking at photos of other builds to get ideas and inspiration I have seen lots with reinforced concrete. Would appreciate the opinions of the experts on here, but I'm hoping with enough insulation between the fire and the concrete that it won't get hot enough to cause any issues. |
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Post by downunderdave on Jul 15, 2020 10:09:35 GMT
Thanks for that link Mikeb, I see that they advise not to use metal reinforcement,opps! im going to have to sit and pray i don't get issues. I got some rebar in the main part and a catnic lintel to the rear of the arch, Now thinking do I re lay the base, a pain in the rear job, but I would be gutted if it all started to crack up with every thing finished. I've got rebar in my concrete plinth hence why its only 60mm thick as with the rebar its more than strong enough to take my weight. From weeks/months looking at photos of other builds to get ideas and inspiration I have seen lots with reinforced concrete. Would appreciate the opinions of the experts on here, but I'm hoping with enough insulation between the fire and the concrete that it won't get hot enough to cause any issues. Steel rebar in the concrete supporting slab is normal and required to attain the strength needed.Provided there is sufficient insulation between the cooking floor bricks and the supporting slab, it should never get hot enough that you couldn't hold your hand on it. The use of heavy rebar is not advised in the inner parts of the oven that see much higher temperatures. This is why the recommended reinforcing for castable refractories is stainless steel needles (melt extract fibres), thin to disperse their heat easily to the surrounding refractory and stainless so they won't corrode in the hot environment which accelerates reactions. |
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