Without a doubt, if I had to pick one attainable bucket list item for the homestead, it would be an outdoor pizza oven. I have admired these ovens ever since I saw one used in Europe years ago. The only thing holding me back, is the site I want to build it on. I have to be able to drive over the spot until other projects are completed. After that, it's on!
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I am pretty excited to write about my imaginary pizza oven, haha. @kiaraantonoviche inspired me with her bucket list challenge. I guess the good part about not getting everything you want, is that you get time to dream about and research your options.
So with my desire for a pizza oven came lots of questions. If I hired someone to build one for me, I'd never have researched it and would have probably been happy with what I got. But that's not the case here. I much prefer to do things myself. It brings me a huge sense of accomplishment and gives me fun things to dream and think about.
Sorry to say, none of these photos are mine, as I have no oven yet, but they sure help with the dream.
I've considered cob, brick, stone, cement and combinations there of.
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If I choose cob, would I need to build a structure over it, to protect it from the elements?
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Depending on the materials used and the total weight, do I need to pour a foundation to build upon? I'd hate to have it shift and crack after all that work.
What do I construct the base from? Block, wood, metal or poured concrete?
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How big do I want it? It has to be comfortable to reach inside without feeling like I have to crawl in to fetch my pizza.
What height do I want it to sit at for ease of use?
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Then there is the whole do I buy a kit or build my own from scratch using some help from YouTube videos?
Do I want it shaped like a square with an arched roof or a circle with a domed roof?
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Do I want it shaped like an igloo, so that there is an entry way/mini tunnel or do I want the door to be part of the actual dome and forego the addition?
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Do I want to add insulation to help retain the heat? What do I use to insulate it, recycled, repurposed items or purchase it?
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Do I just want a base for the oven or do I want to incorporate a table extension?
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Do I want fire brick only on the base or create the entire dome out of it?
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What do I make the chimney out of? Cob, block, clay tile or furnace pipe?
Do I want to build a solid pedestal/base or one that is hollowed out for wood storage? If I choose wood storage, then how do I gain access? On the front only or front and rear?
Do I want the door on hinges or removable? What do I want to make it out of, wood or metal?
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Who would have thought there would be so many decisions to make before building a "simple" pizza oven? As you can see, my dream pizza oven requires some careful thought and preparation. I mean it is a bucket list item, so I've just about talked myself into going with the Mack Daddy of them all, this metal hinged door, tada.
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Maybe I'll put that fancy dancy door on a superb specimen of a pizza oven like this (can you imagine).
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You know how one thing leads to another. If I'm going this far, why not just build an outdoor kitchen and incorporate the pizza oven under the same roof? Good grief, I better stop now before I add a gazebo to the mix.
Onward in Strength!
Mary Lotus