Pizza Oven / Wood Fired Outdoor Oven

[RedThorn]

Oh and 1 inch cube refractory brick cubes soaked in paraffin make great reusable fire lighters Just not for pizza ovens, as you don't want to taint your food with the taste

[Mikey]

One question Red thorn, would using secondhand fire bricks be a risk, as you don't know what they have been used for?

I've found a supplier in Bristol for new bricks called vitcas, which seem to sell all manner of other items suitable for pizza ovens. It's not going to be cheap but it would be built to last!!

I've enjoyed many an hour so far taff looking at what others have done on you tube.

I'm a little bit further along now, I've almost completed building the walls, and getting ready to start with the dome itself. I'll take some more shots over the weekend and add them next week, so you peeps can see the progression thus far.

[RedThorn]

the bricks in direct contact with the glass are different type (for the life of me I cannot remember the name) the other bricks are used in the reclamation of heat or insulation and would be fine( I worked in a glassworks doing rebuilds for 10 yrs)

[Mikey]

Right making a small bit of progress so a few snaps as to where I am.

I'm ready to start laying the floor of the oven now as you can see from the well in the top of the plinth. I'm going to lay some red clay solids in the well to bring me upto level with the stone and then cover these with the refractory bricks.

As usual I got side tracked as the missus decided she wanted me to build a pergola down the side before I finished the bread oven.

[VirginVegGrower]

Mikeywills - this is looking superb! So much so that I have sent a link to Mr VVG stating "look what other men can do!" I am in for one severe debate when he gets home:-)
A pergola too! Do you undertake commissions in the Midlands?!
Go MW Go!

[Mikey]

No, no , no. I'm not here to press gang other men into action

And commissions, afraid not, the boss would never allow it while she has a pen and a piece of paper capable of making a list.

Saw this and thought it would be cool to do this to the outside of the oven when its finished. I think mosaics can be quite jewel like if done well.

[VirginVegGrower]

I have a list but Mr VVG ignores it. He's naughty and older - you obviously haven't learnt that skill yet.
Do you have building skills or are you just a doer!?
I love your pizza oven - it looks fabulous. Are you going to build an area for pizza prep and maybe a drinks cooler area/wine storage?

[Mikey]

VVG - you are starting to sound like the wife!!!!, I have learn't the skill, the OH has a list as long as your arm for indoor jobs, but I told her at the end of March that its outdoors work now, and they will have to wait until the Autumn. Not exactly rebellious, but I'm merely an apprentice.

I'm an Architect by trade, but am very much hands on in my own home. In my eyes there's no point in my profession telling someone what to do if you are not capable of doing it yourself.

[VirginVegGrower]

Quite! I wouldn't mind but I do get my hands dirty and pitch in. I decorated the living room - wallpapered and painting - I just don't gloss paint. I plant, sow seeds and stuff. I don't sit filing my nails! OK sometimes I do, but I am pretty good. I just want some brick walls, pizza oven, pergola making, etc. I might go and learn brick laying actually - rather fancy that. Wonder if I have to learn how to wolf whistle and spit...
Joking aside it's a damned nice job you're making there and you're a clever boy!

[bearded bloke]

Mikey looking good there bud could you use the bricks from old storage heaters for the inner surface of the dome ?

[Mikey]

Cheers VVG, I've been planning one for about 2 years but there were other projects to get completed beforehand. I had a patio and verandah to build first then a log cabin wendy house for nipper, and then the chooks planters got thrown into the mix and now finally I can look at the pizza oven, but I don't have long as the weather will turn soon and the plot will take over for a month or so.

I haven't even had the chance to go blackberry picking this year yet!!!

[Mikey]

Mikey looking good there bud could you use the bricks from old storage heaters for the inner surface of the dome ?

I'm sure you could and I have heard of them being used before. I haven't decided yet what to use, I have heard of solid clays being used. Fire clays as far as I can see have a higher concentration of alumina making them much heavier and more capable to deal with heat than standard bricks.

I've got a bit more research to do before I make a final choice, the forecast is lousy until the weekend here so I have a few days to make up my mind yet.

[VirginVegGrower]

Throw up a tarp on poles! You have been a busy chap in those two years. I'm going to be extra nice to Mr VVG tonight as I want a pizza oven :-)

[Mikey]

Look out Mr VVG, she gonna be using her wily ways.

[VirginVegGrower]

Guess what - already have and he  your pizza oven. I have an IOU for one although he's dragging his heels already...