DIY Wood Fired Pizza Oven for $200

Colum Black-Byron
by Colum Black-Byron
3 Materials
$200
3 Weeks
Medium
Hi all.

Links to some of the stuff used below:

This one has been on my to do list for way too long, and I finally found the method that works the best for me.

For a bit of a run down on the process, for those that wanted more information.

I started with the cheap porn ball (or gym ball), and made a cardboard opening, then coated that with cement and newspaper.

Once the first layer hardened, I added another thick layer of vermiculite and cement, and let that set.

Then taking that off the ball, I moved it into position on top of the fire bricks, raised up the back by around 30cm, and put the a thick layer of vermiculite/cement around the base, and over the whole mold.

Then more concrete/vermiculite, until it got to around 15cm thick, and a decorative coat of darker concrete.

I let it set for a week, fired it up with a small fire first, then after another day put a decent fire in there, and started making pizza!

Fire Bricks:
http://amzn.to/2rTtRw0
Vermiculite:
http://amzn.to/2szdXc4

Check out the video, it goes into far more details! See my handsome face in it too :D
One of the first pizzas I cooked in there!
And the first fire! Lots of firsts.
So it starts out as a gym ball, and I create a papercrete mold over the top of it. This is the basic shape of the pizza oven.
I made it a bit stronger with some vermiculite, and additional layers.
And the form dried, ready to move into place.
This is for the base of the oven, using fire bricks.
And laying down the bricks.
And I started adding more of the vermiculite and concrete mix, making it very thick.
And getting the chimney sized up.
I got this chunk of steel cheap from a scrap steel supplier.
And the first fire.
Some landscaping around it, and it's good to go!


If you're planning something similar, don't forget to check out the video, it goes into a lot more detail, mixes of concrete, and those fun things!


Enjoy!
Suggested materials:
  • Vermiculite   (Wacky Backy Stores (hydroponic stores))
  • Cement   (Bunnings (home depot type store))
  • Fire bricks   (Amazon)
Frequently asked questions
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  2 questions
  • Debbie Debbie on Aug 18, 2017

    How do you get rid of the ball which served as the form for the concrete?

  • Millies_mom47 Millies_mom47 on Aug 23, 2017

    Hey I love the use of the ball, I believe it makes a much better form than some I've seen. It also looks like the inside is bigger than the ones I saw. Thanks for the idea, but I do think for the doorway it needs a stronger form than cardboard. Don't these pizza ovens need doors to help keep in the heat like an actual oven?

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