After a hiatus, work started on the table slab again

Due to some back problems (probably blame that on the 12 80lb bags of concrete that I loaded on to and off the truck) I had to stop work on the oven. However, after some great care from local healthcare specialists, I carefully started on the table again. Building the pouring mould was the first step. I used some leftover plywood, supported on legs made from 2x4 stud lumber to make the bottom of the table slab. I then added a box around the edge of the table, made from 2x8 lumber. I added offcuts of wood to close every other opening in the concrete blocks (saves on concrete), except for the central, thinner leg. Finally I added rebar to the legs that will be filled with concrete, linked to a web of rebar across the table. I also added some PVC pipe for a drain in the back right hand corner, this will be part of a small trough where a basil plant will stand. Nothing like fresh basil on a pizza.

Ready for the first pour

All the blocks are stacked and after some final alignment, tapping them into place carefully with rubber mallet, concrete will be poured into the openings.

Tool storage

To store tools (brushes, ash shovel, peels) I drilled holes one block down from the bottom of the platform and inserted 3/8" rebar sheathed with 1/2" pex tubing

Drainage tubes

Because of the heavy Georgia rain, I am including drainage tubes at the back wall, made of 1/2" poly irrigation tube.

Stacking the cinder blocks

After collecting the necessary materials from my nearest home improvement stores, and yes, I had to use both Home Depot AND Lowes as neither had everything that I needed in stock, I started laying out the cinder blocks. This to get an idea of the exact size of the platform. For those who are interested the ground pad is 96" x 72", and the platform for the oven will be 88" x 60". This gives plenty of space at each side of the oven for placing pizzas before and after cooking. I intend to also include a trough where basil plants can grow, so you always have fresh basil ready to put on the pizza. Behind the back wall is an 8" strip of concrete where extra fire wood will be stored. The front of the platform supports is not right up against the edge of the pad as I will be adding decorative stone fronting later.

Starting a new oven

Having sold our house (and oven) in Florida and moved to Georgia, of course we had to have a new oven. So 3 months after the move, it was time to start on a new oven. We had some hardscaping work done, including preparing a concrete pad. This time the oven platform would be larger, with tabletop space either side of the oven.

Finally completed and painted

After a couple of months "seasoning", the oven has received its final coat of paint. In the mean time we have been using it, and learning a lot. Actually we found that the trickiest is getting the oven just right for pizzas, mainly in trying to cook them too soon, before the oven is ready.

Start of the journey

I put this blog together to show how I built my own backyard wood-fired oven. Rather than start from scratch I decided to use a kit, and from the many different ones found in a Google search we choose a model 6/B (Piccolo) from Tuscany Fire. Below are picture after the delivery of the kit. But this was just the start!

I also needed other materials, to build a counter on which to install the oven, and cement to mix with materials sent with the kit for covering the oven.

Preparing for the countertop

First step was to build a wall on which the countertop will rest. For this I used hollow concrete blocks, stacked mortarless, and then filled with concrete. They were stacked in a "U" form, to make a counter big enough to take the oven (and then some).

Framing the counter-top

before pouring the countertop I built a wood frame around the wall, and a sheet of wood under the counter. To allow for a coating on the blocks, I allowed for a 1/2" overlap of the counter-top. This required adding some strips of wood under the 2 x 8 planks that I used for the sides of the counter mold. The outside frame was supported by 4 legs and kept in place by 3 side supports. The sheet was supported by 6 legs, however Once pouring I noticed some bowing, so I added a couple of extra legs. If I were to redo this I would make a 2x4 frame to support the sheet with cross bars to prevent sagging. Once the frame was installed, a 12" x 12" grid of 1/2" rebar was added to reinforce the first layer of concrete (4").