Woodfired bread/ pizza oven construction

[xxdjcharlierockxx]

very nice when can i come ova?

[oceantrolls73]

@funkhouserb Hi, thanks for this awesome vid. I am planning on building a circular brick oven soon with no prior masonry experience. I was wondering why the base slab hanging on iron rebars. So this gives the base more "thermal mass"? also, is the wood base nailed to the blocks below the hearth? TIA.

[funkhouserb]

@oceantrolls73 The theory behind the "hanging slab" is that it allows the slab to expand slightly without cracking the exterior walls. The wood base can be nailed to the blocks or not. The wood can even be removed if you like since the slab hangs without needing additional support. Mine is not nailed but not removed either. I hope this was helpful. See my site for more info.

[ozzie786543]

Hi there. Can you explain why you need the vermiculite layer underneath the concrete slab? It would seem that if you had concrete, then vermiculite, then oven you would thermally isolate the oven from the brickwork base.

[funkhouserb]

@ozzie786543 The oven is isolated from the brickwork base because of the air gap and hanging slab construction technique. The concrete provides thermal mass in addition to that from the hearth. This means heat storage that lasts and lasts. Some ovens have a small thermal mass which means they heat and cool much more quickly. More theory available in 'The Bread Builders'- a must read if you are considering this type of oven.

[dubsaloon]

Sweet! I love the video and the pics. Thanks for sharing.

[scottd51]

what did you use for a clay base under fure brick?

[funkhouserb]

@scottd51 A fireclay of some kind that I found in 50 lb bags at the building supply. I mixed it with water and maybe a little sand only. Do not add any cement. I hope this is helpful.

[radbcc]

Good job. I wish I had trade skills.

[TheVittleVlog]

Thanks!!

[Estebanfuturo]

dude something i didnt understand , after finishing this beautiful oven, why would you cook your pizza on cardboard?, thats blasphemous.

[funkhouserb]

@Estebanfuturo I'm sorry you misunderstood. I prepare the pizza on cardboard, slide it off into the oven and then return it to the cardboard to cut and serve. The cardboard circles are like disposable plates but not involved with the baking.

[Estebanfuturo]

@funkhouserb aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, ok now i can sleep again....

by the way great work man.

[rascecil01]

shalowm, nice job one of my favorite. Approximately how many bricks were used, do you have to use a special type of bricks and morta or can you use regular morta mix?

thanks.

[funkhouserb]

@gmh327 I stand corrected.  Thank you for writing.

[jackrussell1955]

Dear funkhouserb, Thankyou for the reply three weeks ago. I have now got the book and progressing, however I am still struggling to locate the bullnose/cownose bricks. I have finally found somewhere but the want to know the dimensions of the brick. can you give those to me length width height and radius at front the last maybe difficult. I would really appreciate this hep

[funkhouserb]

@jackrussell1955 The bullnose bricks I used are 9" long, 3 1/2" wide, 2  1/4 thick and would naturally have a 1 1/8 radius. See my site for the correct way to cut the bricks around the corner.

[ceadeses]

Do you say carpentary why do people call it masonaryITS MASONRY

[funkhouserb]

@ceadeses I stand corrected. Thank you for writing. 

[TheSignGuy32]

Did you use plain red brick for the oven or did you use firebrick?

[TheSignGuy32]

The red brick for the oven wall and ceiling, are they just common red brick. They don't look like firebrick or high temp brick. Alan Scott says to use firebrick I believe but your don't look like firebrick.. Thanks

[funkhouserb]

@TheSignGuy32 I suspended the hearth with 2x4's. The angle iron could probably be 1x1, but I used 2x2 which was much heavier than necessary.

[funkhouserb]

@TheSignGuy32 I suspended the hearth with 2x4's. The angle iron could probably be 1x1, but I used 2x2 which was much heavier than necessary.

[nivekevinutz]

really good oven design!

[powaybob]

Accordion and pizza! Life is good.

[jeff4704]

Approx how much did this oven cost to make?

[funkhouserb]

@jeff4704 Cost can vary considerably based on what is available locally and choices the builder makes for materials and labor costs. I estimate the materials for this oven cost about $1000.

[nmaisonave]

I LIKE YOUR pizza oven the Istrat my own pizza oven thank. when I done i send oyu picture

[mikesuttie]

Stunning!

[new24693626]

Great job, and people like to learn.

[Mostlyfun]

I would like to recommend checking out the Masonry Heater Associations website go to the brick oven section there are lots of great ideas for the armature Mason.

[funkhouserb]

@Mostlyfun Great recommendation for the 'amateur' mason. Thanks for the suggestion.

[breezebro]

People are offended when you tell them and take pride in their ignorance as evidenced by the thumbs down.

[gmh327]

Did you even notice that I began with "nice video"? Actually, I was offering a tip that may help someone who wants to learn. Just like how I watched the video to learn about something I don't know. I bet your one of those people who just reads the comments to make a negative from a positive...

[breezebro]

Wake up! I was supporting you. I was just saying you are wasting your breath because people don't want to learn, they prefer to remain ignorant.

Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig. Robert Heinlein

[gmh327]

Gotcha breezebro, sorry for the confusion. You're right about pigs and singing...

[breezebro]

No problem. I forget that sometimes you can't tell the tone of a comment when you read it. Smiley's and LOL's help but I hate those.

[nadia59]

all you need now is agood dough tomatos artichoks and buffalo mozzarella chesse.

[TimberTroll]

Great job. Thanks for putting this up.

[funkhouserb]

The opening is about 40 cm or 15.5 inches.

[scandira]

HI man! I've finish my oven finally :-))))

Look my video reply and tell me what do u think about it!

Bye

[jackrussell1955]

@funkhouserb Great oven I am building one now. Three points 1. measurements I have had to guestimate from the photos and number of blocks and you slide show. 2. Where did you get the red flat bricks for the front of the hearth cant find them anywhere and how much are they? 3. Is the plywood support removed from the cavity under the oven? Thanks for this video from England

[funkhouserb]

@jackrussell1955 You will find more information on my website. This video is not a replacement for purchasing the blueprints from Ovencrafters or at least purchasing Alan Scott's book "The Bread Builders". Both of those resources will help you with construction. The bullnose bricks were found at a building supply warehouse here in California. The plywood support remains under the oven. Good luck with construction and let me know if you have more questions.

[jackrussell1955]

@funkhouserb Dear funkhouserb, Thankyou for the reply three weeks ago. I have now got the book and progressing, however I am still struggling to locate the bullnose/cownose bricks. I have finally found somewhere but they want to know the dimensions of the brick. Can you give those to me, length width height and radius, at front the last maybe difficult. I would really appreciate this help

[funkhouserb]

@jackrussell1955 The bullnose bricks I used are 9" long, 3 1/2" wide, 2 1/4 thick and would naturally have a 1 1/8 radius. See my site for the correct way to cut the bricks around the corner.

[jackrussell1955]

@jackrussell1955 Dear funkhouserb, Thankyou for the reply three weeks ago. I have now got the book and progressing, however I am still struggling to locate the bullnose/cownose bricks. I have finally found somewhere but they, want to know the dimensions of the brick. can you give those to me, length width height and radius at front, the last maybe difficult. I would really appreciate this help

[scandira]

Hi man, i've a little question, can you tell me how much measure the width of the second door of the oven? I mean not the first door with the ornament arc, but the second. Can you tell me? Bye

[funkhouserb]

The iron rebar suspends (holds up) the floor of the oven yet allows the floor area to expand and contract without cracking the walls of the oven. It is a clever design and very strong. If you build the oven according to the instructions in the book, it will not crush the base.

[scandira]

Thanks for the answer but maybe i've not explane me very well. I dont speak about the orizzontal bar inside the floor where there are the brick for the fire, but i speak about the VERTICAL bar inside the cement split brick.

[funkhouserb]

Build the support base in a sturdy manner. For me, that meant vertical rebar in the 4 corners and I filled the empty spaces with concrete. Some people would build more sturdily (more rebar, for example) and others might not use rebar at all or not fill all the empty spaces. The support base should be strong but how you achieve that is up to you. Good luck!

[scandira]

Thanks a lot for the clean answer. I stay proceed with not fill the vertical support base with nothing, i hope that all will dont collapse when i'll finish :-)

Maybe i'll make you some other questions for the chimney.. for now all steps are clear. Thank u and bye for now

[scandira]

Hello man! Your project is very good and i've decide to start the work for build your wood oven but i've only a question: Is very necessary to fill of cement and iron bar the cement brick on the base of the oven??? You think that if i dont fill this brick the wheight of the oven can crash the base?? Thanks

[35Alexandru]

ok super  ok ok ok

[salbal777]

I am planning to build one but I prefer to put the Chimney in the back of oven.

Most of the ovens picture's in the net show the chimney in front I wonder why.

Do you think it's matter?

[funkhouserb]

The chimney at the front is important for several reasons. Air is drawn into door, across the floor, back along the ceiling and then out the door and up the chimney. This circular path would become linear with the exit at the back. Also, the chimney is OUTSIDE of the doorway. If I close the doorway (for baking bread), the temperature will stay constant for hours. If the chimney was at the back (like the Sunset magazine adobe oven) then the oven will cool rapidly unless it can be closed.

[salbal777]

Thank you for your informative reply. I will put chimney in front. I just started the project. I will post it on YouTube after completion.

I got one more question though. Can I cover the outer shell of the oven by ceramic tiles? If answer is yes, what kind of cement will be suitable for attaching the tiles?

[salbal777]

I could not fined fire bricks in my town, so would it be suitable to use the red bricks for the floor instead of fire bricks. I paid $ 2:00 per bricks for the red ones, You think it is reasnoble?Otherwise I will drive about 200KM to get it.

I will make the foundation by prelite and cerment providing that I found prelite in the market.

[funkhouserb]

Red bricks are OK for the floor, but will not last as long as fire bricks. Call a few masons in your area and ask where they get their supplies. Fire bricks are used whenever a mason has to make a fireplace, so they should be available somewhere. I don't know the going price for bricks. If perlite is not available, you can substitute "vermiculite". Both are often available at garden or agriculture supply stores.

[funkhouserb]

The outer shell of the oven can be decorated any way you like. Ceramic tiles are fine. Attach the tiles using standard "thin set" masonry adhesive. Do not use a silicone adhesive as the exterior of the oven does get warm.

[Criptografo]

what type of wood used when you turn on the oven

[funkhouserb]

At the beginning I use soft wood like pine or fir. Later, as I prepare to add food I switch to hardwood like oak. I use about 1 large wheelbarrow load of soft wood and 1/2 wheelbarrow of oak to cook 20-30 pizzas.

[BLOGROCKROCKY]

Keep me posted on your progress.

Regards

[Vitotesta]

Holy smokes! Great video! THANKS!

[funkhouserb]

You're welcome! Thanks for checking it out!. -Bill

[SpikesScarletWitch]

what effect if any if you used soapstone as the bottom of the oven? the part the food cooks on i mean. this is fabulous!! when i get my own home. methinks the chimonea i wanted is out and the outdoor pizza oven is in. *L*

[funkhouserb]

Soapstone? Huh. I never considered that beautiful stone. The brick hearth works great for me. Would soapstone hold up to the 1000 degrees F temperatures?

[SpikesScarletWitch]

i do not know that. :D , i know that they've been used in fire cooking for a VERY long time(read: several thousand years), i figure if they can be in/right next to an open fire, it should do well. but i'd have to research it a bit first. i want some soaptone rectangles to put in my kitchen oven. be like a pizza oven only better. :D we don't need no stinkin cookiesheets! :D

[BLOGROCKROCKY]

Great video and this was one of the video's that inspired me to have a go.

Check it out.

[retrocom]

Same here...I'm about half way through my version, although slightly scaled down, effectively its the same. Just hope the UK summers improve now, many thanks funkhouserb

[anatheo5]

Professional work with artist results. Can you tell me how much hour of fire needs the oven in order to get ready for baking And if had the manufacture by any chance openings from the high temperature thanx hapy baking

[funkhouserb]

The oven takes between 3 and 6 hours to pre-heat depending on the use. If I am only baking one load of bread or a few pizzas, 3 hours is enough. If I am preparing for a pizza party with 50 guests, I need a lot more stored heat...6+ hours to preheat. Thanks for writing.

[xReventonx]

cool

[soupsdone]

Thank you for this great video. Your finished oven looks amazing. I am preparing to construct the same oven this spring. I hope it turns out as nice as yours. I really like your bar/prep area in front of the oven...very well done, sir.

[henryrollo]

was the cracking the only reason you wish you had used loose perlite? I'm almost to that stage and was thinking about using the perlite cement mix.

[funkhouserb]

Cracking is the main reason I wish I had used loose perlite. However, the cracking has been minimal and I might do it the same way again. I can't think of any other way to get the curved top of the oven. Some say loose perlite offers better insulation properties over the perlite/cement mix as well.

[funkhouserb]

Thanks for writing keynes101... Someone could probably build an oven like this for $500 if they had a lot of recycled bricks. I think I spent around $1000-1200 on it. There are many modular ovens available (less hours of work) but they run $3000 or more. Best of luck to you! -Bill

[keynes101]

can you please give me an idea how much it would cost to build an oven like yours? thanks! great job, btw.

[islanflava]

Beautiful job and pretty informative! Now I just gotta talk my husband into building one...:)

[masonmitch]

Nice slideshow with great voice over...well done

[cretesxman]

clever idea with the insulation , less heat required and a longer bake time , well done that man !

[accouswk]

Very nice video. Will try to build one myself now. Great job and beautiful work for someone who has never done masonry before.

[pbhello]

awesome video , great job!

[NSResponder]

Very cool video. 

-jcr

[FGpizzaoven]

Bill's oven totally inspired me on my oven. and a nice guy too. Frankie G

[bigdog2au]

A great how to video. I've built an Alan Scott designed oven a few years ago and can recommend building one to anyone interested in cooking great bread and pizza.