Outdoor Clay Oven

Has anybody built one of these? I love them, and had hoped to have it done and dusted, ready to use this year, but ..... well other things have just gotten in the way and I haven't completed my plans. But......I think there's still time (next weekend?) to get this done so that we can use it, if not over the winter, then for next spring/summer.
Pizzas and rustic breads baked in them just take on a whole new taste!
Has anybody ventured to build their own? I've looked at the ones on River Cottage - and though tempted to send hubby for a day course to build one, I'd really like to do it (with some help maybe from him) as I'd like to take it on as a project.

With a front garden that is full of clay, do you know if that 'clay' is okay to use on a project like this - or should I buy proper clay (if there is a difference?) I have the bricks, fire cement etc. for everything else - but confused as to the clay.

Any helpful hints would be much appreciated!

 

Hi Natalie, Great idea it will look good in any garden.. Ive found this on google, hope it helps ..Dee..

http://www.ehow.com/how_2074069_build-outdoor-pizza-oven.html

 

Thanks Dee - that one in the link is made from brick - and brick ones are great too - just that we have so much clay in the front - was hoping to use it in a clay one In a couple of weeks we will be 'redigging' our front pond and so will have lots to use - but don't know if it'll be suitable or not? But...one thing I do recall - food tastes so good in them! We had one as part of our 'outdoor kitchen' in australia - had sinks with running water, bbq, gas burners, pizza oven - was great as we would bring our catch from fishing or diving in - clean it right there and cook Not a need for the rest of it - but would love the oven

 

How do you fuel a clay oven? Surely if you just use wood, your baking will be incinerated, but I know there must be some trick to it, as plenty of people seem to make them work. Apparently they are quite common in the Med region.

 

Thank you MF! Every link I have found so far has a point or two that sounds good - will have to sort my combination and then get to work! I will be sure to photograph it as it progresses......now for the digger to come and dig the clay (while we rework the pond - hubby can do the pond, I'll do the oven)

 

You do use wood to fuel it. The idea being that the clay gets so hot, that when the wood is all burnt and to ashes, you sweep out the ashes and the oven retains it's heat for several hours - quite hotter than a conventional household oven can get to - making it great for anything with a crust! You do the baking on the oven floor - hence the 'stonebaked' pizzas, bread etc.

 

Sounds good. I always wondered how they worked. There seems to be plenty of info about building them, but not so much about how you actually use them. No I know. Thanks for that:gnthb: