Archive for November, 2012
Phillipsburg, NJ: Outdoor, Wood-Fired 36″ Dome Pizza Oven
November 20, 2012 by admin, under Fire Works Masonry News.
Our latest project is a large backyard wood-fired oven. The hand-built dome oven is constructed entirely of high duty firebricks. The oven floor has a 36″ diameter, plenty of room for a large pizza party or an entire Thanksgiving meal. The photo below shows one of the first hot fires rolling over the top of the oven as it heats the firebrick dome.
The tight brickwork is built form free. The every brick is cut to ensure very tight, strong joints. High temperature refractory mortar provides the joint strength between the bricks. The high quality of the firebricks and construction method assure a very functional, long lasting oven. A well made oven lasts for generations. The photograph below shows the dome nearly halfway complete.
The high mass of the oven works great for cooking but requires a masonry foundation to carry the load. A block foundation supports this oven. The oven is insulated from the foundation by 4″ of industrial, load bearing insulation. The dome continues to roll in as the door opening begins below.
The photo below shows the completed wood-fired oven core. The door opening and chimney throat can be seen on the right hand side of the core in the photo below.
The photo below shot through the door opening shows the completed dome from inside the oven. The smooth firebrick floor is also ready to start cooking.
With the core completed, the oven facing can begin. A simple block shell will be constructed around the core. The firebrick core will also be wrapped in 4″ of industrial quality ceramic wool blanket. This helps lock in the oven’s heat for long lasting, efficient cooking.
Finally the oven is fired and the first pizza sizzles on the hot floor.
Fire Works Masonry
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Reading, PA: Fieldstone, Double Bell, See-Thru Masonry Stove
November 18, 2012 by admin, under Fire Works Masonry News.
When our clients in Reading, Pennsylvania planned their energy efficient addition to their home, a masonry stove was in the center of their plans. A clean burning masonry heater replaced a drafty, traditional masonry fireplace. The masonry heater sits between the existing living room and new addition, diving the man living space. Their kids stand safely on the heated bench in the photo below as their project nears completion.
At the heart of the masonry heater is the double bell core. It stands completed in the photo below. The masonry heater has a see-thru firebox and heated benches.
The masonry heater core is faced with masonry blocks, filled solid for heat transfer and storage.
The new addition side of the fireplace has an extended heated bench, a long stone mantle and a panoramic door for viewing the fire.
The living room side of the see-thru masonry heater will also have a heated bench as well as a bake-oven above the loading door.
Once the masonry block shell is completed around the core, the natural thin veneer stone facing begins.
The Pennsylvania fieldstone facing is finished and grouted. The photo below shows the completed fireplace warming the nearly finished new addition.
The heater is complete and warming the new addition.
Fire Works Masonry