Pizza oven build

[Capt]

I had posted a few pics on a thread a while back, and had a member ask me to post the build process. So, here it is!

We hug a hole. I very big hole. Due to the sandy composition of my yard, and freeze thaw cycles in Michigan, we went 40in down.


Foundation poured, setting out block to get an idea of were we want to go with this thing. We had no plans, we winged every step.


Starting to take shape. storage compartments built, the charcoal grill taking shape.

 

[Capt]

Base of the oven poured with refractory cement:


I went with a modular oven from Superior Clay. It made the process much faster than brick by brick, but it was pricey.


Fitting the dome floor:

 

[Capt]

Base complete, filled with refractory cement:


Herringbone floor complete:


Setting the pieces into place. This proved to be difficult to get everything squared up:

 

[Capt]

All mortared together with fire clay, flue in place:


Starting to build up, changing color:


It's getting there!

 

[Capt]

Air vent in place in the rear:


Arch form built, brick in place to dry overnight:


Arch complete, starting to tie into the walls:


Dome parged in 3 inches of fire clay:

 

[Capt]

Scaffold set up, ready to take it to the sky. That is my cousin Dave and his buddy:


Getting ready to build the cap:


Cap forms are in place, ready to be poured:


There is a pic missing, but we filled the entire void space with vermiculite to build a head sink.

Cap poured!

 

[Capt]

All done, waiting on the acid wash: Pic was taken from my roof:


Dave's turn on the power washer:


Getting ready to sling some pies! My pointer pup Waylon standing by:


Gas lights and Shield installed:

 

[Capt]

Nothing, I mean nothing, compares to a wood fired pizza!


The final outcome:


Very versatile, I can regulate temps as low as 200, and as high as 1100. We roast a lot of meats in it too. Ahi tuna:


Thanks for looking. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

 

[Toothpick]

That. Is. Freaking. Awesome!

Man that food looks amazing too. Well done Capt. Well done sir.

 

[Thu'umhammer]

That is beautifully done. I have to congratulate your committment to good food and your inherent manliness for building something so epic.

 

[Mr Moo]

Brilliant!

 

[Capt]

Thank you all. The wife and I also remodeled the kitchen last year, looks just like a proper firehouse kitchen. I will post pics if you all would like to see it.

BTW, I cannot take much credit for the pizza oven. I had an idea in my head, my cousin Dave made it come to life. He is one hell of a mason.

 

[Pattorashu]

Looks great, and I'm in for pics of the kitchen. Congrats on a sweet project, for sure!

 

[Mick]

Thank you all. The wife and I also remodeled the kitchen last year, looks just like a proper firehouse kitchen. I will post pics if you all would like to see it.

BTW, I cannot take much credit for the pizza oven. I had an idea in my head, my cousin Dave made it come to life. He is one hell of a mason.

Yes, please post pics of your kitchen remodel.

The work you put into the outside oven is commendable. It will be something you can enjoy for decades to come.

 

[BDSkelly]

Captain,
That is awesome. I'm an outdoor cooking enthusiast as well and have memberships at a few Smoking Meat and Barbecue forums. I see these oven projects come up from time to time. ...but have never see one as well thought out and as professionally done as this one.
Brian

 

[john parker]

WOW!!!!

 

[archi77]

That is AMAZING Capt! Thanks for posting the process pics for me. I'm going to have to really put some thought into building one of these next summer at the "new" house. Very cool.

Are you a firefighter somewhere? You made reference to the kitchen being a firehouse kitchen... I'm a (volunteer) Paramedic in Maryland right now, fully fire-trained, although I rarely ride the trucks... usually just the ALS chase car. Be safe out there, brother.

 

[Capt]

That is AMAZING Capt! Thanks for posting the process pics for me. I'm going to have to really put some thought into building one of these next summer at the "new" house. Very cool.

Are you a firefighter somewhere? You made reference to the kitchen being a firehouse kitchen... I'm a (volunteer) Paramedic in Maryland right now, fully fire-trained, although I rarely ride the trucks... usually just the ALS chase car. Be safe out there, brother.

Yes sir. I am a career Capt in a Dept just west of Detroit. Been there 19 years, started as a cadet when I was 15, hired in fulltime when I was 20. Stay safe!

 

[archi77]

Yes sir. I am a career Capt in a Dept just west of Detroit. Been there 19 years, started as a cadet when I was 15, hired in fulltime when I was 20. Stay safe!

Wonderful. Where at? I spent the first 26 years of my life in Saginaw... spent 7 in Southfield attending Lawrence Tech for undergrad and grad school. When I graduated, I moved to Maryland to find a decent paying job. Been here 10 years now, and still wish I could find a way back to Michigan... it's "home".

 

[ouch]

You have no idea how lucky you are that you don't live next door to me. You would have to build two of them.

Unbelievable.