Difference between revisions of "Make a Brick Oven"

#Choose a dome oven plan. Dome ovens are igloo-shaped brick ovens with wooden doors. They have an easy, rustic elegance that can add a lot of visual interest to your backyard. Additionally, these ovens will cook food evenly and can be heated to very high temperatures.<ref name="rf1"> https://www.fornobravo.com/pompeii-oven/starting-the-oven-dome/</ref>

#Consider a barrel oven plan. Barrel ovens are brick ovens that are built around a large metal barrel. These ovens can be heated up very quickly and are more energy efficient than some dome ovens. This oven type is an excellent choice for hobbyists who want to be able to cook foods quickly.<ref name="rf2"> http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2011/10/slice-over-a-barrel.html</ref>

#*Use a spirit level to make sure the form is perfectly level. The more level the form is, the more level your foundation will be.<ref name="rf3">http://myoutdoorplans.com/pizza-oven/outdoor-pizza-oven-plans-2/</ref>

#*Water the area a few hours before tilling to loosen up the soil.<ref name="rf4">http://www.troybilt.com/equipment/troybilt/knowledge-center/tips-and-tricks/garden-tiller-operation-tips</ref>

#Lay down wire mesh and plastic sheeting. Cover the gravel with a layer of wire mesh. If needed, use strong wire cutters to trim or shape the wire mesh. Next, cover the wire mesh with a layer of 6 mil plastic sheeting.<ref name="rf5">https://www.fornobravo.com/pompeii-oven/foundation-slab/</ref> Use heavy duty scissors to trim or shape the plastic.

#[[Tie Rebar|Install a rebar grid.]] Installing rebar will help strengthen and stabilize the concrete foundation. Refer to your brick oven plan to see how much rebar you need to use. Usually, you will install the rebar into the sides of the foundation form and use wire to connect overlapping sections of rebar.<ref name="rf6">http://www.familyhandyman.com/masonry/pouring-concrete/form-and-pour-a-concrete-slab/view-all</ref>

#[[Pour Concrete|Pour some concrete.]] Mix a batch of concrete and pour it into your foundation form, completely submerging the rebar grid. Once the form is completely filled, use a straight piece of wood to level off the top. Let the slab cure for a few days before continuing to build your brick oven.<ref name="rf6" />

#*Red clay bricks are usually used on the exterior of the oven. These bricks help insulate the firebricks and are somewhat heat resistant as well. <ref name="rf7"> https://www.fornobravo.com/pompeii-oven/brick-primer/</ref>

#*Follow the ratios in your brick oven plan. Usually, the plan will ask you to mix six parts of clay to four parts of sand.<ref name="rf8"> http://myoutdoorplans.com/pizza-oven/outdoor-pizza-oven-plans-2/</ref>

#*Once the concrete blocks have been stacked, fill every other core with concrete to cement everything together.<ref name="rf9"> https://www.fornobravo.com/pompeii-oven/concrete-block-stand/</ref>

#*Install a rebar grid into the wooden form before pouring the concrete for additional support.<ref name="rf10"> https://www.fornobravo.com/pompeii-oven/insulating-hearth/</ref>

#Line the hearth with firebricks. Set a layer of firebricks using the intended shape of the oven as a guide. Connect them with a thin paste made of one part sand and one part fire clay. Add water until the mixture becomes a thick slurry.<ref name="rf11"> https://www.fornobravo.com/brick-oven-cooking/cooking-surface/</ref>

#Create the oven dome. Lay down firebricks in a circular shape to create the walls of the oven. As you build, slowly angle the layers inwards to create a dome shape. You may need to cut the bricks into smaller pieces using a tile saw.<ref name="rf1" />

#Build a chimney. Surround the opening at the back of the dome with a layer of firebricks. Stack the bricks in a square shape to create a tall chimney. The smoke inside the oven will vent out of the space in the back and the chimney will direct it into the air.<ref name="rf12"> https://www.fornobravo.com/pompeii-oven/chimney/</ref>

#Create the oven entrance. Use red clay bricks to create an oven entrance. This is where you will add firewood and insert food. Traditionally, brick oven entrances are built into an arch shape. However, you can also make a square shaped entrance if you’d like.<ref name="rf13">  https://www.fornobravo.com/pompeii-oven/oven-vent/</ref>

#Cover the oven with insulation. Cover the entire oven with a thick layer of vermiculite-based insulating concrete.<ref name="rf14"> https://www.fornobravo.com/pompeii-oven/oven-insulation/</ref> Let the concrete insulation dry according to the manufacturer instructions. Once it’s dry, add a layer of red clay bricks around the oven to give it a traditional appearance.

#Purchase an infrared thermometer. Different foods require different cooking temperatures. Seasoned brick oven experts can tell what temperature an oven is by looking into it. However, if you’re unexperienced, you need to purchase an infrared thermometer. This tool can be pricy, but it’s an important investment in your cooking experience.<ref name="rf15">http://blog2.thermoworks.com/2016/08/pizza-ovens-thermal-powerhouses/</ref>

#Cook pizzas. Make delicious pizzas in your brick oven using the Fire-in-the-Oven method. First, build a large fire in your brick oven. Let the fire build until the flames are licking the top of the oven. Next, push the fire to the back of the oven to clear a space for your pizza.<ref name="rf16">https://www.fornobravo.com/brick-oven-cooking/brick-oven-cooking-techniques/</ref>  Lay your pizza directly on the brick and cook it with the oven open for 1 to 3 minutes.<ref name="rf17">http://www.traditionaloven.com/cooking.html</ref>

#Make a roast overnight. Add wood to your oven and create a large, slow-burning fire. Once the oven has reached 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 degrees Celsius,) your oven is ready for a roast. First, carefully rake out the coals onto the ground, killing the fire. Next, place the roast in the oven and close the door. The residual heat from the fire will slowly cook the roast overnight.<ref name="rf18">http://www.ozarkdreams.com/cooking-roasting.htm</ref>

#Bake conventional dishes. You can use your oven to bake at temperatures below 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 degrees Celsius.) First, build a fire in your oven. Once it reaches the right temperature, rake out the coals to kill the fire. Place your dish in the oven and close the door. The residual heat in the oven will cook the food.<ref name="rf16" />