If you’re a pizza lover, you know that a homemade pizza just isn’t the same as one cooked in a brick oven. The good news is that you can build your own brick pizza oven in your backyard. It may seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and materials, it’s actually quite simple. In this article, we’ll show you how to make a brick pizza oven step-by-step.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
The first step in building a brick pizza oven is to gather all the necessary materials. You’ll need fire bricks, regular bricks, cement, sand, and a few tools like a trowel, level, and saw. You can find all of these materials at your local hardware store.
Step 2: Build the Base
The next step is to build the base of your brick pizza oven. You can use concrete blocks or bricks to build the base. Make sure it’s level and sturdy. This is important because the base will support the weight of the oven.
Step 3: Build the Oven Floor
Once the base is complete, it’s time to build the floor of the oven. Use fire bricks to create a level surface. The floor should be about 2 inches thick. Make sure to leave a small gap between the bricks to allow for expansion when the oven is heated.
Step 4: Build the Walls
Now it’s time to build the walls of the oven. Use regular bricks to build the walls. Make sure to leave an opening for the door. You’ll also need to create a chimney to allow smoke to escape. The chimney should be located at the back of the oven.
Step 5: Create the Dome
The dome is the most important part of the oven. It’s what will allow the oven to retain heat and cook your pizza to perfection. To create the dome, you’ll need to use fire bricks. Start at the back of the oven and work your way towards the front. Each layer of bricks should be slightly smaller than the last. This will create a dome shape. Make sure to leave an opening at the top for the chimney.
Step 6: Add Insulation
To keep the heat inside the oven, you’ll need to add insulation. Use a layer of ceramic fiber blanket or perlite. This will help the oven retain heat and cook your pizza evenly.
Step 7: Add the Door
Now it’s time to add the door to the oven. You can use a wooden or metal door. Make sure it fits snugly to prevent heat from escaping.
Step 8: Cure the Oven
Before you can start cooking, you’ll need to cure the oven. This involves slowly heating the oven over several days. This will help the oven dry out and harden. Start by building a small fire and gradually increasing the size over several days.
FAQs
Q. How long does it take to build a brick pizza oven?
A. It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to build a brick pizza oven depending on the size and complexity of the oven.
Q. How much does it cost to build a brick pizza oven?
A. The cost can vary depending on the materials you choose and the size of the oven. On average, it can cost anywhere from $500 to $3000.
Q. Can I use regular bricks to build a pizza oven?
A. No, you’ll need to use fire bricks to build the oven floor and dome. Regular bricks can crack and break under the high temperatures required for cooking pizza.
Q. How hot does a brick pizza oven get?
A. A brick pizza oven can reach temperatures of up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit. This high heat is necessary to cook the pizza quickly and evenly.
Conclusion
Building a brick pizza oven is a fun and rewarding project. Not only will you be able to cook delicious pizzas, but you’ll also have a beautiful addition to your backyard. Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to enjoying homemade pizza cooked in your very own brick oven.