Bread oven

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gavilan
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Bread oven

Postby gavilan » Fri Sep 14, 2012 1:17 pm

I am interested in building a bread oven here like people used to use 'in the old days' but am not sure what material/s they were constructed from. Does anyone have an old oven and can tell me what it is made from?

olive
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Re: Bread oven

Postby olive » Fri Sep 14, 2012 1:27 pm

This is on my project list too.

I asked the question on a forum but drew a blank.

I have found a supplier of doors and also chimneys with a variable vent flap. Big Mat near but not in Durcal. Not particularly cheap but very serviceable and a sight cheaper and probably a better outcome than the ready made jobs on sale in Garden Centres

gavilan
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Re: Bread oven

Postby gavilan » Fri Sep 14, 2012 2:05 pm

olive: looks like I shall have to visit a few local bars and ask if anyone knows/remembers how those old bread ovens were made.

olive
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Re: Bread oven

Postby olive » Fri Sep 14, 2012 2:16 pm

Probably find it is nothing more than durable rocks held in place with smeared cob. Maybe the secret is in how they were heated up the first few times. :lolno: :lolno:

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Julie
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Re: Bread oven

Postby Julie » Fri Sep 14, 2012 3:08 pm

My neighbours bread oven looks like a round rock with a small metal door on, can't see it costing you much more than ten bob to build :lol: :lol:
No soporto ver la casa sucia, ahora mismo me levanto y apago la luz.

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murbisa
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Re: Bread oven

Postby murbisa » Fri Sep 14, 2012 3:26 pm

We had one in a very old cottage in the UK. Floor was flagstone, walls and roof were fire bricks inside. All surrounded by lots of stone. Door was cast iron.

Sandramay
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Re: Bread oven

Postby Sandramay » Fri Sep 14, 2012 3:58 pm

My Spanish neighbour has a fabulous bread oven that bakes beautifully. He built it himself, cost virtually nothing and I was very intrigued. Firstly he dug clay/small stones (from his land) and formed it into brick shapes. these were allowed to dry and then he used them to form a dome, smothering them with more clay slip. When it dried he fired it with twigs/prunings. filled in any small cracks, repeated the clay covering and the heat and now the outside is painted with something? red. He fires it up, rakes out the embers then bakes about ten loves (delicious) at a time. He just places a sheet of metal in front of the entrance, wedged with a brick. I do have photos, but don't know how to upload. If you PM me with an email address I could forward them to you if you like.
Sandramay

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Devils Advocate
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Re: Bread oven

Postby Devils Advocate » Fri Sep 14, 2012 4:12 pm

Exactly what Sandra says.......one and the same in and amongst our "rustic" neighbours clutter...........mostly used for roasting Chivo and baby lambs though........stunning and puts an AGA to shame for taste :thumbup:
Property owner in Andalucia since 2002. How time flies.

gavilan
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Re: Bread oven

Postby gavilan » Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:11 pm

Sandramay: I have sent you a pm. Many thanks.

Mike.M
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Re: Bread oven

Postby Mike.M » Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:13 pm

Here's one technique ......

One of the most important things os to get the base right .... it has to have mass, so when building your beehive oven ensure that the base you put it on is solid all the way through before you lay your heat tolerent stone / fire slabs.

Next get damp sand, and lay ontop as a dome ... this acts as a 'form'.

With a big tarpaulin, put you clay ontop and add short cut straw. Take off shoes and socks and stamp the straw into the clay to mix well.

Shape clay over sand form and let dry off. Dont forget to cut your entrance.

Scrape out sand and let dry a little more. Light a VERY SMALL fire inside .... this should GENTLY drive out moisture and 'set' the clay. This take a fairly long time.

Light a couple of more SMALL fires to cure more and fill in with clay slip.

Now lay your firebricks at the entrance to form the correct opening for your 'doorway' .... I've seen old Hergom oven doors used but they're generally too small .... all you need is a loose hardwood door with metal backing, that you can block the entrance.

Cover the outside clay with a lime mortar mix to protect from rain / frost.

Hey presto job done. They can work more efficiently with a chimney at the rear but you need to get the height right.

Sorry it's a rushed response but I'm really busy for the next 6 days .... if you're serious and like to know more, just post a reply and I'll get back in 5/6 days time.

So there's the 'bluffers guide' to beehive oven making!

Regards,

Mike

gavilan
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Re: Bread oven

Postby gavilan » Fri Sep 14, 2012 6:37 pm

Mike.M: sounds fascinating but I have some questions ... will save them up until you return ... many thanks

Sandramay
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Re: Bread oven

Postby Sandramay » Fri Sep 14, 2012 7:29 pm

Gavilan, pics sent to your e mail. Hope they are informative :thumbup:
Sandramay

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Re: Bread oven

Postby Sandramay » Fri Sep 14, 2012 7:43 pm

Oops, they have been bounced back. msg says you do not have an address? Sorry I'm not a pc wizz kid :think:
Sandramay

gavilan
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Re: Bread oven

Postby gavilan » Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:50 pm

Sandramay: I have sent you another pm

Sandramay
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Re: Bread oven

Postby Sandramay » Sat Sep 15, 2012 9:28 am

Pics should be with you now...... eyesight not what it used to be :)
Sandramay

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Re: Bread oven

Postby Sandramay » Sat Sep 15, 2012 4:25 pm

glad they finally arrived :thumbup:
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