Building A Pizza Oven: Puzzle Pieces

With the hearth in place, it was time for the dome. Six pieces create the oven dome and lock the floor down. The pieces are keyed and (thank god) numbered. Piece #1 was the mouth of the oven. Quick tip: concrete is much heavier than it looks. I pride myself on my ability to pickup almost anything (including car tires, logs, crying babies…excluding sorority girls, trampolines, restaurant checks, the list goes on). But, I could channel Lou Forigno all day long and still not be able to pick up the monster that is Piece #1.

Not a problem. That is what Dads are for. My old man came by to help heft the monster into place. And, once we figured out that the rest of the numbered pieces get placed starting from the left side of the oven opening, we were fine. The fit tolerances were impressive. The only tight fit was the top cap. A little shifting, bumping and scooting and we were in business.

Next up was sealing the joints with high temperature mortar. The mortar comes in two bags. We mixed it with enough water to channel Betty Crocker cake batter. The concrete was dampened and mortar applied over the joints and around the bottom where the dome meets the insulating fire board. Piece of cake.

Oh, ya. I decided to build the oven on a trailer. Because, it’s not a party if you can’t take it on the road! Anyone for pizza at the lake? UT tailgating is going to get exciting this year. Shout out to my friends at Magnum Trailers for hooking me up (pun intended). They make the best trailers around in any color you want (as long as it’s black). The oven is resting for a week, to let the mortar dry. Then starts the curing process. Stay tuned.

Previously : Building A Pizza Oven: Planting the Hearth

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5 replies on “Building A Pizza Oven: Puzzle Pieces”

  1. Cool idea to make it mobile! Any idea if the mortar and stucco can hold up to that kind of movement without cracking? You may have re-ignited my desire to get one. I currently use my pizza stone on my gas grill and add oak chips for the smoke. Works extremely well but not an elegant solution.

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