Alright, folks, let’s talk about that time I decided to build a brick pizza oven in my backyard. It was a journey, let me tell you.
First off, I started gathering all the stuff I needed. We’re talking bricks, cement, and a metal grate. You know, the basics. I did some research and found out that this can take hours or even days, but I was determined.
Then, I got to work on the foundation. I dug out a spot for the concrete pad and built a form using some 2x10s. The pad ended up being about eight feet square. Had to let that concrete cure for a bit, which felt like forever.
While the concrete was doing its thing, I started thinking about the design of the oven itself. I’ve seen some folks use clay and sand, like building a sandcastle but I opted for a more traditional brick structure. The base, I figured, should be solid, so I used some rubble and railway sleepers I had lying around. For the firing base, I used some regular bricks. Seemed like the right way to go.
Once the foundation was ready, I started laying bricks. Now, I’m no bricklayer, but I’ve watched enough videos to have a rough idea. Layer by layer, I built up the walls of the oven. I used mortar to keep the bricks together and made sure everything was level as I went. This part was probably the most time-consuming because you gotta let the mortar set between layers. Patience is key, my friends.
After the walls were up, I built the archway for the oven opening. This was a bit tricky, but I used a wooden form to support the bricks while the mortar dried. Felt pretty proud of myself when I pulled out the form, and the arch stayed put!
Next up was the dome. I started by laying bricks around the perimeter, gradually working my way inward and upward. Each brick had to be placed just right to create that curved shape. It was like putting together a 3D puzzle, but with heavy bricks and mortar. Let me tell you, my arms got a good workout that day.
Finally, after what seemed like ages, the dome was complete. I let the whole thing cure for a few days, just to be sure. I remember the first time I fired it up, I was nervous as heck. But it worked! The heat was intense, and the pizzas I made in there were out of this world. Crispy crust, melted cheese, just like the real deal.
To sum it up, here’s what I did:
- Gathered all the materials.
- Prepped the site and poured the concrete pad.
- Built the base using rubble and railway sleepers.
- Laid bricks to form the walls and dome.
- Let everything cure.
- Fired it up and enjoyed some amazing pizza!
It was a lot of work, but totally worth it. Building that pizza oven was a real adventure, and now I can make awesome pizzas whenever I want. If you’re thinking about doing it, just be prepared for some hard work and a whole lot of fun. The cost was around $800 as I already had some tools, which was not bad.
