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

Wood-fired earthen ovens are easily documented all the way back (and likely even before) the ancient Romans. Likewise, they are easily documented in archaeological evidence and first-hand accounts from the 18th Century. We show you how easy it is to build one. We've been amazed with how well earthen ovens work, so much so that some of us here at Jas. http://jas-townsend.com built one at home. This episode deals strictly with the oven's construction. In next week's video, we will show you how to bake bread in an earthen oven. We will also use the oven in future videos, comparing results with those that can be achieved by baking in a cast iron Dutch oven. Stay tuned!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• mud
• earthen
• oven
• construction
• jas
• townsend
• howto
• 18th
• century
• soldier
• cooking
• series
• Food

[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]

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.

[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.

[buyerofsorts]

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

[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.

[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.