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Clay Ovens

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In early May of this year I constructed a clay oven. It was small by comparison to the ones I had seen used in Rhodes several years ago, but nevertheless suited our needs perfectly.

I narrowed down my build options from the variety of examples I had read about during my web searching. finally opting for the type that would suit my own materials availability limitations. The major ingredient - clay, I had in abundance at the bottom of the garden.

Taking into account the hold ups brought about by the weather, it took me nearly two weeks to complete. The effort and labour and tired limbs were well worth it in the end.

My wife has not used the electric or gas oven at all since the inaugural 'firing up' and testing !

For example we can cook in one go in 3.5hours , a piece of pork shoulder weighing approximately 3kg and a leg of lamb of similar weight. Prior to charging the oven with the intended roasts, a home made pizza will cook in just under a minute.
The oven takes about around 70-80 minutes to fire up to temperature (max temp 550 Celsius) and uses ~ 6-7kg of firewood.

We are to shortly try our hand at baking bread - will let you all know how this fares :)

Comments

  • SUESMITH_2
    SUESMITH_2 Posts: 2,093 Forumite
    have you any photos you could post? v interested in this
    'We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time
  • cyclura
    cyclura Posts: 295 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    I am very interested in this as well, could you PM me where you found out how to make one as well please if you do not mind.
    Debt Free...yay! 10/09/2013 :j




  • Seakay
    Seakay Posts: 4,269 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    How did the bread baking go? Very interested to hear of any other experiments as well.
  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,571 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I'd also be interested in more information and some photos. We bought a book about making clay ovens but haven't made one yet.
  • cjb02
    cjb02 Posts: 608 Forumite
    I would love to see photos and an update on the success of bread making
  • Latest gas bill £33.66p
    Electricity Bill £109.00
    Apologies for not visiting and replying sooner I will get the links posted shortly.
  • Hi there
    My boyfrind started one of theses as a 'project' in May after seeing one made on the telly.

    He made a tower out of sleepers and filled it with earth then bricks to create the top cooking surface. He then piled sand on top to form a dome to create the mould for the clay.
    Then we attempted to mix the clay sand and water together (which we were told to do by standing on it) and mould it over the dome (first lining it with newspaper) to make the actual outer case for the oven.
    We were then going to scoop out the sand dome once the clay had set to make way for the cooking area.
    BUT even though we made a makeshift shelter for the clay dome to dry, it cracked badly, no matter rain or shine. And various attempts to re gig the mixture quantaties to avail.
    He has since given up and it remains as a sleeper tower with the sand dome on top.
    I would love him/us to finish it, if anyone has any tips on how to get the clay right and not split, i would be eternally gratefull!!
    Thanks
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