Day 4 has been wicked, I finished off the chimney, and then started the vermicrete, this was easy to mix, but difficult to get stick, so I used some chicken wire mesh to lock it in and slapped it on with my hands, I reckon I got a generous 4-5″ on especially over the top, it’s all looking really great, was chuffed my front brick arch stood up by itself, though not the best brickwork in the land, using the outer rim of the barrel which locked it in place so it’s very sturdy (i hope)
I’m really pleased that as planned my tuscan grill fits through perfectly 14″ and a few mm spare
Here’s some more pics, planning on taking the rest of the weekend off to leave it to all set (covered with tarp to keep the rain off)
Then tuesday Iwill render over the top and the base, and start warming her up slowly
COUNTRYWOODSMOKE 
Posted by Steve Sneddon on May 24, 2012 at 10:10 am
Thanks for all your help.
I finished my oven a couple of weeks ago and so far no problems. I will just have to workout where and how to post my pictures for you to see
Cheers
Steve
Posted by countrywoodsmoke on May 25, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Hey Steve,
Great news, I’ll friend you on facebook, and you can post them on there?
Look forward to hearing how you get on, I’m loving mine at the moment
Cheers
Marcus
Posted by Steve Sneddon on May 28, 2012 at 6:25 am
great stuff
Posted by Steve Sneddon on April 13, 2012 at 8:49 am
Marcus just a another quick question ….how many bags of vemiculite you used as I am about to go and pick it up today.
thanks again
Steve
Posted by countrywoodsmoke on April 13, 2012 at 9:06 am
I used 2 100l sacks, and used most of that.
Cheers
Marcus
Posted by Steve Sneddon on April 12, 2012 at 10:21 am
Thanks Marcus , You have been a great help. I will let you know how I get on
Cheers
Steve
Posted by Steve Sneddon on April 12, 2012 at 9:41 am
I have started a project and like your design , we are planning on building ours and use same materials (so far gathered.. 1 large storage heater and barrel so far! along with 3 boxes of old sauna stones) I was wondering how many storage heaters you used ,where you got the vemicrete? and did you use the full length of the barrel?
Thanks for your inspiration
Steve
Posted by countrywoodsmoke on April 12, 2012 at 10:06 am
Hi Steve, thanks for visiting, great that you are building a wood fired oven!
I used just the one storage heater, it had 16 blocks in which was perfect.
If you look on you’ll see the heater and the blocks, they are the purple coloured ones.
Yes I used the full length of the barrel, it’s an ideal size to cook in.
You can get the vermiculite from Jewsons or ask a wood stove installer, you add cement to it and water and that’s your vermicrete.
Feel free to ask any questions, always happy to help.
Cheers
Marcus
Posted by Rich Norton on September 27, 2011 at 8:16 am
Hi, I was wondering what layers you have used?? Vermicrete then Render then Thermal Blanket then another Render??
Couple of questions… What is the render you are using? and also what is the Thermal Blanket you are using?? If you haven’t guessed… I’m thinking of building one myself!!! Hope you don’t mind!! Looks Great!!
Posted by countrywoodsmoke on September 27, 2011 at 8:34 am
Hi Rich, that sounds awesome, basically you need a thick layer of mortar to store the heat, or you can use brick, or even clay over the top of the barrel, just something good and thick, say 5-6″ to store heat, then I used a bit of recycled ceramic blanket from a night storage heater, than the vermicrete supported by chicken wire, and then a final rendering, using 5 parts sand to 1 cement with a squeeze of washing up liquid to help smooth it
let me know how you get on please
cheers
marcus