what to put on the outside of a casa modular

[vickygray]

Hello,
I really want to get an oven in my garden but lack DIY skills so I'm thinking of buying a casa oven from garden gift shop - this seems to be one of the only ones small enough for my space and that I can get on my budget. I know I need to build a block work base but I'm wondering what to put on the outside of the oven. It says it can be used without insulating but I was hoping to render the outside along with the base and add mosaic. No idea what to use for this or if it's even possible. Will it not work to render the outside if I don't insulate it in a more major way? Is there anything that insulates and finishes off the outside? Help or suggestions very welcome!
Thanks
Vicky

[spinal]

Insulation would be highly suggested; you could coat the whole thing in vermicrete (worked with it for the first time today; love it!) and then render stucco over the top... your only issue would be moisture - so you would need to make sure it's kept dry somehow... is waterproof stucco available?

[cannyfradock]

Hello Vicky.....welcome to the forum.

I always say that when you are buying a modular (kit form) or pre-build oven, it's always best to ask your suppliers advice on these things. Saying that, I would agree with Spinal, that if you want to apply mosaics, then a Thermocrete layer is advisable. This is vermiculite cement and water, which will insulate the oven and dissapate the heat. This can then be rendered to take mosaics.

Do as much research as you can. Our old forum also has lots of interesting stuff about modular ovens ( woodovenukforum.forumup.co.uk/index.php?mforum=woodovenukforum ).....you need to register to see all the links.

Terry

p.s......the term "stucco" is what Americans refer to as render.

[spinal]

Italians too actually; not just Americans

[vickygray]

Thank you both for your advice. Sounds like vermicrete is the way forward. I found tubs on the vitcas website which might be simplest way for the untalented like myself.
Does any one have a suggestion for what to use as a waterproof render/stucco on the outside of that. I would like to be able to use the render over the oven and also to cover over the blockwork sides. If I was able to stick the mosaic tiles right into it then that would be even better!
Any recommendations gratefully appreciated?
Thanks
Vicky

[turkey]

I would mix your own vermicrete if possible, vermiculite is like packing foam only smaller grained and you mix it dry with cement. sits light so very easy and then you water the dry mix, victas sells the mix dry do you still need to wet it which is the long part.
it would also be a lot cheaper which is a bonus.

for the external render as long as its insulated well I would think you can mosaic over most things, as for sticking things into the render I suspect mist cement renders will be too thick but you could use tile adhesive over the render, after all on walls you tile direct onto plaster etc....

terry do you have any external tiling experience?

[vickygray]

Thanks for the advice,
I have finally built the brick base (a bit squiffy but ok for a first go at brick laying, I might have removed my finger tips trying to do pointing with my hands though!). I have all the bits of the casa ready to go and hopefully will put it together tomorrow then do a wee first fire to dry it. I am definitely going to follow the advice and use vermicrete before I render but my plan for the short term is to just give it a coat of masonry paint and just use it as it is a few times so I get some use out of it if we get a nice September. Then I will do the fancy stuff to insulate it in the October break. That's the plan anyway.
Cheers
Vicky

[cannyfradock]

Vicky

Have you bought your modular oven from The garden Gift Shop? I can't see the "casa" oven on his website. Many of his ovens are manufactured by different companies in different countries in Europe. I know that the Mediterrani range must be protected from rain, snow and frost and insulation improves the oven. His outdoor pizza oven and mobile pizza oven are bushcraft ovens and need no insulation but still need protection from the rain. If you can give the exact model we can advise you better.

I would advice against painting the dome at the moment. Some modular ovens are already insulated so a couple of coats of masonry paint is maybe all that is needed. Others.....aren't, so the paint may start to burn when in full use. After we know the exact model you are using, I would just keep the oven "loosely" covered in a tarpaulin when not in use.

You may need a slower process of a few curing fires over a few days before fully firing your oven.....it all depends on the model.

The best adhesive to use on a dome for mosaics is the "quick set" flexible floor tile adhesive....normally used where underfloor heating has been installed. please prompt me when you want to do this as I can (if I know your general area) direct you to a supplier with the most competitive prices.

Terry