Cooker build of a different type.

Tom C · Posted: Oct 30 2013 Post subject: Cooker build of a different type.

For some of the members that have been around here a while you will remember some of my smoker/cooker builds. You would think that three cookers would be enough but I had to make an exception for this type of cooker. It was like nothing I've done before.

I started to put this in the bread baking section but since this cooker can do more than bread I thought this section would fit too.

This build required a firm and roomy foundation.

It also needed protection from the elements.

Some blocks to elevate it.

And some insulation.

Lots of insulation of clay and sand!

Next this project needed a cooking surface and a door.

To construct the cooking chamber required a sand form.

The chamber wall is made of 25% clay to 75% sand mix.

Once the chamber dome was complete and had dried some, the doorway was cut out and the sand form was removed.

After more drying, a second layer of insulating clay and chipped redwood bark was applied to the thermal dome.

Once the outer insulating layer is dry, the oven can be used. A final coating of lime plaster will complete the new cooker/oven!

As the oven has been drying, areas on the north side are not drying at the same rate as the rest of the oven. I've been building a series of fires to speed drying. This seems to be
working well.

During last night's burn I couldn't resists trying to bake something. I mixed up a quick biscuit recipe and toss them in the oven.

The results came out nice! I can't wait to get the drying process complete and be able to see what this oven is capable of!
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stingerhook · Posted: Oct 30 2013 Post subject:

All I have to say is damn. Keep the pics coming.
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Wreckless · Posted: Oct 30 2013 Post subject:

Tom, that is Awesome! Shocked

I can only wait to see what you come up with to cook in it. Man oh man, way cool!

jess · Posted: Oct 30 2013 Post subject:

Great looking oven & cook area Tom. I love seeing quality work....

Maniac · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 02 Oct 2010 Posts: 2433 Location: Pa

Very impressive Cool

Excellent job Exclamation

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layne · Joined: 25 Jun 2007 Posts: 4

Very cool!

Tom C · Posted: Oct 30 2013 Post subject:

Thanks everyone for the comments.
I didn't get to light a fire in it last night but will try again tonight!
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Homemade offset smoker 24"x48"
Charbroil CB900 grill

BUGSnBBQ · Posted: Oct 31 2013 Post subject:

That looks awesome! Beautiful work ya did there.
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TrailerBuilder · Posted: Nov 01 2013 Post subject:

Wow! That oven is freaking awesome!! Very nice work. Do you travel? I have a project in mind very similar to this one Laughing

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k.a.m. · Posted: Nov 01 2013 Post subject:

Tom, very nice work my Friend. Very Happy

That is an awesome project you put together. Nicely done my man. Very Happy

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Awning Guy · Posted: Nov 01 2013 Post subject:

Nice work, Oh the fun you are going to have with that. It starts out small with family, then, the next thing you know youre buying cases of dough balls and sausage from Sams Club wondering when the gathering will be. Shocked

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Tom C · Posted: Nov 02 2013 Post subject:

Thanks again guys for the comments, I'm really having fun with this new toy!

TrailerBuilder, If you were closer Id be happy to help out! I'm helping a coworker with his oven right now. The details an how to build one of these ovens is in a book called "Build Your Own Earth Oven.
http://www.amazon.com/Build-Your-Own-Earth-Oven/dp/096798467X

My oven is almost fully dry now so I should be able to build up some heat. I also will be putting a final layer of lime plaster on as soon as I can get some lime hydrated.

I did get around to making some pizzas the nigh before last. here are the results.

First, I read that having a metal door that will help direct airflow and hold heat. So I modified an old charcoal chimney.

The handle makes it a little top heavy so I will have to modify it some but a small blocked worked for this cook.

Here are the two pizzas

Next will be some sourdough bread!!
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Homemade offset smoker 24"x48"
Charbroil CB900 grill

Alien BBQ · Posted: Nov 04 2013 Post subject:

Fantastic JOB!
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YODQ4U · BBQ Fan Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 133

WOW what a project and great pics. Nicely done.

wyd · Joined: 23 Oct 2013 Posts: 8 Location: PA

What a great build. It looks amazing.

Jon D. Q. · Posted: Nov 05 2013 Post subject:

Tom C you have created and executed a very, very nice project. Thank you for sharing it with us. I have a question for you. Living here in Tennessee I see redwood outdoor furniture and I understand that it not only looks quite nice but last a long time in the elements. I do not see redwood bark here and I am wondering does it have special properties that lend themselves to your project or would most tree barks do just as well?

Tom C · Posted: Nov 06 2013 Post subject:

Thanks again folks for the comments.
Here are some pictures of some bread baked this weekend:

Jon D.Q.,
I used the redwood bark because it had hair like fibers that I thought would add strength. The book I followed, "Build Your Own Earth Oven" By Kiko Denzer
Says you can use sawdust, small saw dust (like from a chain saw) or chipped bark.

This is where I bought my bark, "Redwood Freeway" you can see the other types they have. just about any of them would have worked except the larger chunked stuff.
http://www.vic-hannan.com/main.php?p=bark
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Homemade offset smoker 24"x48"
Charbroil CB900 grill

SoEzzy · Posted: Nov 06 2013 Post subject:

That looks like a great pit... now it makes me want to make one on a trailer, that I could take to farmers markets and bake fresh bread, just to drive everyone crazy with the smells!
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Jon D. Q. · Posted: Nov 06 2013 Post subject:

Tom C that bread looks awesome. And thank you very much for answering my question about the redwood bark. It is always great to learn new things.

Tom C · Posted: Nov 07 2013 Post subject:

Thanks SoEzzy!
In my area there are two portable oven businesses out there. I don't think they are making bread in them but they are making pizzas. I don't know if I would want to have a homemade oven on a trailer but there are some commercial manufactures out there that use refractory cement (I believe) to make ovens that can be on a trailer.

Jon D.Q.,
You welcome! If you have any questions about building an oven like this, ask away. Over all the ovens are easy to build. I spent much more time (and money) on site prep and the cover structure. The actual oven cost less than $200 and took 4 days. to make. That entailed the heat block, (bottles with clay and perlite), sub floor, thermal dome and insulating layer. The final plaster layer might add another $15-20.
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Homemade offset smoker 24"x48"
Charbroil CB900 grill