Earth Oven Question

[caliban]

Hello! I'm pondering making an earth oven. The kind of wee beehive type ones. I wonder if I can ask a few questions?

I've heard of people using budget cat litter for clay to make forges. Do you think you could use this to make an earth oven.

Is there anything you can use instead of bricks as a base? Would a concrete paving slab explode?

Thanks!

[Melonfish]

Concrete can explode if theres air pockets in it, the heat causes the pockets to expand and pop goes the concrete.
i did see a project on an oven and they used bricks and mortar for the base rather then a paving slab. the benefits here is they're pre-fired bricks and the mortar can expand when needed.

not sure on the cat litter mind ;)

[caliban]

not sure on the cat litter mind

Neither am I, it's £2.15 for a bag of "Thomas" and I'd need enough for Thomas, the Aristocats and Top Kat's gang. Suppose I could use used stuff, free mini Twix with every loaf, he,he,he!

I'll give the concrete a miss too.

[twisted firestarter]

Is there anything you can use instead of bricks as a base?

I've used fire bricks from a night storage heater, make sure they're the red ones as the grey bricks contain asbestos apparently.

[steve48]

The last one I helped to make was with flat stones to line it and plenty of clay around ( reinforced with grasses )to form a dome shape

Just heat is very slowly to temper the stone

Worked a treat

[Wayland]

I've seen a paving slab explode on a bank oven. Bad news. http://www.wayland.me.uk/assets/images/Scanners.gif

I've used bricks very successfully.

[caliban]

Is it just anyold bricks then?

[chas brookes]

Hi link below may be of interest

http://www.pyrites.org/publications_files/Clay%20Bread%20Oven.pdf

[caliban]

Great link! Cheers Chas.