How to Build an Earthen Oven - Jas Townsend and Son Cooking Series

[buttonvalley]

I just keep watching this over and over, it is that good. Ten years ago I built a brick and mortar beehive oven at our living history museum. Yours looks so much better, and it looks like it works better too! Now I feel like making a cob oven on a wheeled cart (like that medieval woodcut) and demolish the brick one! You have the best job in the world.

[DarkAvengerVIM]

Hi, just found your videos and site (and am now in love with the whole shebang) and am currently working with my housemates to plan one of these things out. I have one very important question. When you mention 'clay' does it have to be a specific type of clay? I have 'Potter's Clay' by the ton (not really, but I have a lot) and would love to find a use for it that involves something OTHER than a paperweight.

Thank you, both for the videos and being just awesome!

[jastownsendandson]

@DarkAvengerVIM Thank you for your compliments and Yes, potters clay is the perfect stuff.

Jon

[buyerofsorts]

Hello,

Say, when you put the rounded part on the front, did you use the same process? First the sand and clay and then the sand, clay and straw? Thanks again.

[jastownsendandson]

@buyerofsorts Since the mouth doesn't get as hot, it was made with the sand/clay/straw mix for strength...

Jon

[buyerofsorts]

@jastownsendandson Oh ok. Thanks for the reply. :)

[buyerofsorts]

Hi again,

Another question please. I read that these ovens can stay at about 450 degrees for up to eight hours. Is that true? Thanks. :)

[jastownsendandson]

@buyerofsorts It depends on the thickness of your oven and the amount of insulation surrounding it. I doubt the one we built would keep that temp for that long.

[buyerofsorts]

@jastownsendandson Thanks for the responses. Speaking of you're brick floor, they look to be just laid in with no mud. Is that what you did? How long does you're oven stay hot enough to cook? 3 or 4 hours? Thanks again.

[buyerofsorts]

Loved the video. You're a natural. Can't wait to build my own! Question. Do you know why people will put bottles in the floor of the ovens?

[jastownsendandson]

@buyerofsorts Bottles are put into the floor to provide insulation and let the floor heat up faster. With the single layer of brick in our floor we had no problems with the floor getting up to heat.

[bxmas13]

Awesome video!

[potlatchy]

Great! You can also improve oven performance by insulating below the hearth and over the dome. Look up bottle insulation in other cob oven videos, or look up Build Your Own Earth Oven. how you burn the wood makes a big difference, too. More on that at handprintpress; look up the video on how-to-light-a-fire on the author's page. feed your friends and family!

[6134chuck]

This would be fun to do at a living history event, something different and useful.

[verdatum]

I never even knew I wanted one of these, but I totally do. I'm getting started this weekend. This will be good practice for my future project to build a bloom-iron foundry.

[buyerofsorts]

@verdatum Did you get started? If so, hows it going so far?

[bhubbard491]

And remember to wear white when you're working on YOUR cobb oven.

[rattfinkster]

Very cool. When it warms up I believe I'll give this a go.

[whoknew72]

What an awesome video. I've been watching several of  your uploads and have been very impressed. This one put me over the edge though, I gotta build one of these earthen oven come spring. God knows in West Michigan sand it in good supply.

[HowToHistory]

Awesome job!. This is very thorough.

[Ja72corbin]

Yes The OVEN VIDEO loved it thanks keep this stuff up . love the cooking also.

[ApprenticeBushcraft]

nice oven :D

[mattybock]

you guys have taught me a butt load of stuff. Thanks so much!

[jastownsendandson]

For you folks in the colder climates - You can always build one on a sturdy wooden litter. If you made it less than 36 inches wide you could build it in your living room and move it outside when it gets warmer... Make sure to put a tarp down so you don't mess up your carpet. --- You might want to wait to start it until your wife is out of town for a few days.

[fang1998]

Now I want to build me an oven, but it's too cold here in East Idaho.

[maiakyalei]

@fang1998 Too cold in southern Minnesota too. This will be my project next summer, though.