Okay, so I’ve always wanted one of those awesome brick pizza ovens you see in fancy Italian restaurants. You know, the ones that make the crust all crispy and bubbly? I decided it was finally time to build my own. Let me tell you, it was a project, but totally worth it!
First, I spent ages looking at pictures and plans online. There are so many different ways to build these things! I finally settled on a simple dome shape – seemed like the easiest for a beginner like me.
Getting Started
I cleared a spot in my backyard, making sure it was far enough away from anything that could catch fire. Safety first, right? Then, I laid down a concrete slab for the base. That was a workout, mixing and pouring all that concrete!
- Bought a ton of firebricks – these are special bricks that can handle super high temperatures.
- Got some refractory mortar, which is like a special glue for the bricks.
- Borrowed a brick saw from my neighbor, bless his heart.
Building the Dome
This was the tricky part. I started by making a circle of bricks on the concrete slab. This was the base of the oven. Then, I slowly started building up the walls, angling the bricks inwards to create the dome shape. It was like a giant, heavy puzzle.
I used a wooden form to help me keep the shape right. Basically, it was a half-circle of plywood that I propped up inside the oven. I laid the bricks around it, and once the mortar was dry, I pulled the form out.
It took a few days, and there were definitely some moments where I thought the whole thing was going to collapse. But brick by brick, layer by layer, the dome started to take shape. I left an opening at the front for the door, of course.
Finishing Touches
Once the dome was done, I built a little chimney at the top to let the smoke out. Then, I covered the whole thing with a layer of regular mortar to help insulate it. I also built a small archway at the front, just to make it look a little nicer.
I let everything dry for a week, then I built a small fire inside to cure the mortar. Slowly increased the heat over a few days, this part must be done slowly!.
Pizza Time!
Finally, the moment of truth! I fired up the oven, let it get super hot, and slid in my first homemade pizza. And oh my goodness, it was amazing! The crust was perfectly crisp, the cheese was all bubbly and melted, and the flavor was just incredible. All that hard work was definitely worth it.
It’s not perfect, my brick pizza oven. There are a few wonky bricks here and there, but it’s mine, and it makes the best pizza I’ve ever tasted. Now, who wants a slice?
