Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another DIY project that I just finished up. This time, I tackled something I’ve been wanting to do for ages – building a brick pizza oven in my backyard. Let me tell you, it was a journey, but totally worth it. Let’s dive into how I made it happen, step by step.
Getting Started
First things first, I had to pick a good spot in my yard. Once I did that, I started by digging out the area where the oven would sit. It was a bit of work, but I got it done. Then, I built a wooden frame for the concrete pad. I used some big 2×10 boards for this. We poured the concrete in, and my pad ended up being a decent size. It was my first time working with concrete on such a scale. Also, I made sure the pad was nice and level.
Building the Base
After the concrete dried, it was time to start laying bricks. I won’t lie, this was the hardest part for me. I started with the base, just laying bricks in a simple square pattern. It was pretty straightforward once I got the hang of mixing mortar and getting the bricks to sit right. Getting the first few layers down was crucial, and I took my time to make sure everything was level and sturdy.
Shaping the Oven
Here’s where things got tricky. I wanted a dome-shaped oven, which meant I needed something to build on. I ended up using an exercise ball. I just placed it on the base and started building around it with my bricks. It sounds a bit crazy, but it worked. The curve of the ball gave me the perfect shape for the inside of the oven. It was a slow process, carefully placing each brick and making sure the mortar set properly.
The Final Touches
Once I finished the dome, I took out the exercise ball and started working on the oven’s opening. I built a little archway using more bricks and mortar. This is where the pizzas go in and out, so I wanted it to look nice. I also added a chimney to help with the smoke.
Letting It Cure
After all the bricks were in place, I had to let the whole thing cure for a while. This meant keeping it damp and covered so the mortar could set properly. It took about a week, and during this time, I kept checking on it and making sure everything was going as planned.
Firing It Up
Finally, the day came to fire up the oven for the first time. I started a small fire inside to test it out and gradually increased the heat. It took a few hours to get it up to the right temperature, but once it did, I knew it was ready. The heat inside a brick oven is intense and even, which is perfect for pizza.
Pizza Time
Of course, I had to make a pizza to celebrate. I prepped my dough and toppings, and slid the pizza into the oven. It cooked so fast, it was incredible. It was crispy, evenly cooked, and just delicious. This oven really makes a difference in how the pizza cooks compared to a regular oven. The high heat and the way it circulates makes the crust perfect and cooks the toppings just right.
Building this pizza oven was a challenging but rewarding project. It took some time, a lot of effort, and a bit of money for materials – I’d say somewhere in the ballpark of a few grand when all was said and done, but it varies a lot. You’ll need some special tools, but nothing too crazy. If you’re thinking about doing something like this, I’d say go for it. It’s a great addition to any backyard, and the pizzas are just amazing.
That’s it for this project. I hope you found this walkthrough helpful and maybe even a bit inspiring. Until next time, keep building and keep cooking!
