DIY Brick Oven.. Using Crushed Brick?

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Joe T

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Hello!

This isn't necessarily a repair, but more of a foundational question on masonry, and the planned application with materials. I would appreciate the expertise.

I desire to create a brick oven.. Going to try and save up to use firebricks for the base, but hoping to stick with regular red clay bricks for the dome. (It's a cost thing!)

On the same note with savings lies my question: Is it possible to create the dome structure out of red brick chips and high heat mortar? Or, will I end up with more mortar than brick, making it unstable and useless? The thinking here is that I can get a bunch of broken up brick next to nothing, and mix it with the mortar and put it over a mold and let it dry. Thoughts?

Joe
 
I appreciate your response, Snoonyb. However, you are not answering my question.

I’ve looked up many tutorials already. My question lies in a method that I believe hasen’t been done before, and I also believe that persons with knowledge of masonry and high heat applications (maybe such as yourself) can confirm or deny my questionable method of using crushed brick mixed with high heat mortar for the dome! The style would be a Pompeii brick oven (dome shape).
 
Regular brick won't hold up to the temps of a pizza oven. I'd suggest following the tutorial posted above. Do it right the first time and you only have to do it once.
 
Oldognewtrick,

I would agree. Let’s say I’m able to find crushed firebrick really cheap.. could you speak to my original question about the method of forming a dome?
 
Was also considering an excersize ball but the beach ball might deflate easier!

But my foundational question is : can I use a bunch of crushed brick mixed in with mortar and form it over the mold (ball). Will it hold up and will be effective in its heat rentention, compared to maintaining solid bricks?
 
The reason that masonry products like fire clay are used intact, is that the thermal mass is essential to the performance, where bits and pieces will leave you with hot spots and incomplete performance, and eventually, spalling.
 
Snoonyb,

Thanks for answering my question! That’s what I needed to know.
 
Interesting alternative using vermiculite. Thanks for sharing. vermiculite isn't cheap - and seems like it has a longer cure time. So i'd be interesting if there's any cost savings compared to firebrick.
 
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