1.6. A complete outdoor kitchen foundation.
1.7 The foundation and first course of stand blocks.
Hints and Tips
Use a tiller to break up the ground before you excavate.
You can rent one from Home Depot. If your ground is hard
and/or dry, water it with a sprinkler for a couple of days
before you start. Your site should be soft, but not muddy.
Compare both diagonal measurements of your foundation
frame to ensure that your foundation will be square.
Double check that your foundation really faces the exact
direction you want your oven to face. Once the diagonals
are of equal length, you may want to temporarily attach
2”x4” lumber horizontally to form triangles at the corners
and hold your form square during the pour.
1.8. 2”x4” studs hold the form square and plumb.
The weight of concrete in the foundation can be heavy (40
80 lb. bags or more), and mixing it by hand in a
wheelbarrow might use up energy and time that will serve
you better later in the project. Rent a mixer from Home
Depot, and ask a friend (or pay a local teenager) to help
you mix and pour the slab.
There are also mix-on-your-site trucks that come and just
make as much concrete as you need on site, so you might
want to price this option if available in your area.
Check with your local equipment rental company for a 1-
yard mixer that you can tow behind a standard pickup
truck.
If your building site is far from your street or curb, you can
hire a concrete pump to shoot the concrete where you
want it. The pump rental is typically a different company
from the concrete delivery truck.
Remember that while the slab has to be square, level,
plumb, and structurally sound to get your oven off on the
right foot, it will never be seen. It is worth saving your best
finish work for later in the project.
Casa Installation and Operating Manual
© Forno Bravo, LLC 2008/9. All Rights Served.
Ver. 2.1
16
