Imagine savoring a slice of pizza, its crust perfectly crispy, and its toppings delightfully smoked, all from the comfort of your backyard. This isn’t just any pizza; it’s your creation from a wood-fired oven you built with your own hands. If you’ve been dreaming of crafting artisanal pizzas or enjoying a good DIY project, constructing a wood-fired pizza oven might just be your next grand adventure.
$135 Wood Fired Pizza Oven
The idea of building something this substantial might seem daunting at first, especially if you’re looking for something that won’t break the bank and can be moved if necessary. Fear not, for with a bit of ingenuity, some basic materials, and a touch of elbow grease, you’ll find that creating a budget-friendly, wood-fired pizza oven is entirely within reach.
Materials List
- Perlite (2 bags at $17 each)
- Portland Cement (2 bags at $9 each)
- Stainless Steel Needles ($28)
- Formica ($12)
- Fire Bricks (25 bricks at $0.90 each)
- Cement Backer Board / Durarock / Fireboard (3×5, 0.5″ thick at $9)
- Pavers (9 at $1.58 each)
- Chimney (4″ x 2′ at $4.50)
- Plywood (on hand)
- Exercise Ball (already owned)
Tools Used
- Wheelbarrow
- Hoe (for mixing)
- Saw (for cutting plywood)
- Staple Gun
- Screwdriver
Making Process
Constructing the Top Dome Mold
- Preparing the Exercise Ball: Begin by inflating an exercise ball (in this case, sourced from home) to act as a mold for the dome. Measure its circumference to determine the needed diameter for the cutout in your plywood base.
- Crafting the Base: Cut a circle out of plywood with the calculated diameter, ensuring the exercise ball fits snugly within. Position the ball, adjusting its inflation if necessary for a secure fit without the need for additional supports like a bungee cord.
Mixing And Applying the Concrete Dome
- Creating the Mix: Combine Perlite and Portland Cement at a 5:1 ratio, adding Stainless Steel Needles for reinforced strength. Initially, mix with a hoe in a wheelbarrow.
- Applying the Mix: Carefully apply the mix over the exercise ball, striving for an even thickness of around 2 inches. The material’s unique texture, owing to Perlite, can be challenging to work with, so gentle application is key.
Detailed Finishing of the Dome
- Curing and Adjustment: Allow the dome to cure briefly. If necessary, apply a skim coat to fill any minor imperfections and ensure a smooth finish both inside and out.
Constructing the Oven’s Floor
- Creating the Base Mold: Shift focus to the oven’s base, starting with a plywood piece shaped according to the dome’s footprint. Form boundaries with Formica strips to contain the concrete mix.
- Laying Fire Brick: Opting for a herringbone pattern, lay fire bricks within the designated area, ensuring they fit snugly and can be replaced if needed without dismantling the structure.
Assembling the Firebrick Floor
Precision Placement: Arrange the firebricks thoughtfully to avoid chips when sliding pizzas in and out, maintaining the herringbone pattern for both aesthetics and functionality.
Bringing It All Together
Final Assembly: With the dome and base complete, it’s time to unite the two. Ensuring they are securely joined and stable, this is the moment your pizza oven comes to life, ready for its first firing and, eventually, the first batch of wood-fired pizzas.
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