8. Building the Oven Opening
Overview
There are four traditional ways for framing your oven
opening, though we recommend the first, and easiest
method. The simplest, fastest and least costly way of
framing the oven opening is to use fire bricks to frame the
sides of the opening, and a length of 2"x 2"x3/16" angle iron
to support the top of it.
8.1. An angle iron framed opening. Note the lack of a reveal
for the door jam (don’t do this).
The other methods are:
•
Build a curved arch using a form and bricks to frame
the opening (Photos 8.2, 8.3, and 8.4).
•
Build (or having a metal fabricator build) a complete
doorframe and vent, either from steel or cast iron.
•
Frame the opening with a stone or precast lintel.
The curved arch method is beautiful, but difficult to build.
Having a welder make a doorframe that also integrates your
oven vent is something you might want to consider if you
have access to a good fabricator. The stone lintel approach
is authentic, and will look great, but you are on your own
when it comes to finding the right material, and it can be
tricky making your brick oven work with the non-straight
lines of the stone.
8.2. An arched oven opening.
8.3. The intersection between the dome and opening.
8.4. A form shapes oven opening.
Pompeii Oven Instructions
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