Okay, here’s my blog post about building my own outdoor brick pizza oven:
Alright, folks, let’s talk about this pizza oven project. I’ve always wanted a proper, wood-fired pizza oven in my backyard. I mean, who doesn’t love that smoky, crispy crust you just can’t get from a regular oven? So, I finally decided to just go for it and build one myself.
Getting Started
First things first, I spent a good chunk of time just looking at pictures and plans online. I wanted something that looked good, but also something I could actually, you know, build. I’m no master mason, so I needed a design that was relatively straightforward.
Then came the materials. I got a whole bunch of firebricks – those are the ones that can handle the super high heat. Also regular bricks for the outside, some cement, sand, and a few other bits and pieces. Honestly, hauling all that stuff was a workout in itself!
Building the Base
The base was the first thing I tackled. I dug out a shallow pit and poured a concrete slab. This is super important because you need a solid, level foundation for the whole oven. Let that thing dry completely before you even think about moving on.
Constructing the Oven
Next, I started laying the firebricks for the oven floor. I just laid them out dry, no mortar, nice and tight * come the wall. I decided go with a simple dome shape.
I used a mix of fireclay,sand for the mortar between the firebricks. Slow and steady wins the race here. I took my time, making sure each brick was level and secure.I built the dome up layer by layer.And slowly close at the top.
The Outer Layer
Once the inner dome was done, I started on the outer brick layer. This is mostly for looks and a bit of extra insulation. I used regular mortar for this part, and again, just took my sweet * I left a little chimney hole at the back for the smoke to escape.
Finishing Touches
After all the bricklaying was finished, I let the whole thing cure for a good long while. Like, a week at least. You don’t want to rush this part, or you’ll end up with cracks.
First Fire!
Finally, the moment of truth! I built a small fire inside the oven and let it burn slowly, gradually increasing the heat. This helps to further cure the mortar and get the oven ready for some serious pizza-making.
And there you have it! My very own, homemade, outdoor brick pizza oven. It was a lot of work, I’m not gonna lie, but totally worth it. The pizzas I’ve made in this thing are incredible. Crispy, smoky, delicious… pure pizza perfection!
