Okay, so the other day I got this wild idea to build a brick bread oven in my backyard. I’ve always loved the idea of baking my own bread, and a wood-fired oven just seemed like the ultimate way to do it. I’m no expert, but I’m pretty handy, so I figured, why not give it a shot?
First, I spent hours online, just looking at different designs and reading up on how these things are actually built. It was a bit overwhelming, to be honest. There are so many ways to do it, and I wasn’t sure which one was right for me. Eventually, I settled on a simple barrel vault design. It seemed like something I could handle, and it looked pretty cool too.
Next, I had to gather all the materials. This was a bit of a scavenger hunt. I managed to find some old bricks from a neighbor who was tearing down a wall. Score! I also needed firebricks for the inside of the oven, which are a bit more expensive, but they can handle the heat. I got those from a local building supply store. Then there was the mortar, sand, perlite, and a bunch of other stuff I didn’t even know I needed until I started reading more.
Building the Base
- I started by building a solid base for the oven. I dug a shallow pit, filled it with gravel, and then poured a concrete slab on top. This was probably the most back-breaking part of the whole project. Concrete is heavy, folks!
- Once the slab was dry, I started laying the bricks for the base. This was just a simple rectangular platform to support the oven itself. I used regular mortar for this part, and I made sure everything was level and square.
Constructing the Oven
- The next step was building the actual oven. I started by making a wooden form in the shape of the barrel vault. This was a bit tricky, but I managed to figure it out.
- Then, I started laying the firebricks around the form, using a special kind of heat-resistant mortar. This was slow going, but it was kind of satisfying to see the oven taking shape.
- Once the arch was done, I removed the wooden form and built the front wall of the oven, leaving a hole for the door.
- I then insulated the oven with a mix of perlite and cement.
Finishing Touches
- The final step was to build a little chimney and put a door on the oven. I used some more of those old bricks for the chimney, and I fashioned a simple door out of some scrap metal.
- I let everything cure for a few days, and then I fired up the oven for the first time. It was a bit smoky at first, but once it got going, it was amazing.
I’ve baked a few loaves of bread in it already, and they’ve turned out great. There’s something really special about baking bread in an oven you built yourself. It’s a lot of work, but it’s definitely worth it. If you’re thinking about building your own brick bread oven, I say go for it! Just be prepared to get your hands dirty and learn a lot along the way.
I’m not gonna lie, there were times when I thought I was in over my head. But I just kept at it, one brick at a time. And now, I have a beautiful, functional brick bread oven in my backyard. Not bad for a guy who’s never built anything like this before, right?
Next up I’m gonna try my hand at pizza!
