out door oven/rockety combo

I have been looking and looking at all the outdoor oven choices out there and finally found one I love. My question is should I leave air intake under fire grate open without ash pan to increase air flow and make hotter fire? or just bring an air intake into the firebox part way back? I still want that rockety fire but like the clean oven interior and mass combo! What do you all think?

Thanks!!!



https://www.pinterest.com/pin/568649890427157906/

Hi Julie; Really nice looking oven! Lots of pictures if you build one. I would leave the ash pan out to begin with and see how hot you run.

Thanks! Thomas! Had my friend bring me 4 bags of fire clay from Spokane! (didn't want to overload his car!) I will take pictures!!! Still acquiring supplies. I need to finish filling in foundation with rock... We dug down to gravel to avoid shifting issues with freeze thaw cycle...I am dying to get out and work on it, the weather has been great, but I am 13 days out from a painful hysterectomy and have to limit myself...(driving me nut though!!!)

Thanks for all your ideas and advice!!!

Hi Julie; Yes ,you could use a concrete slip to coat your oven. As long as the external temps are below 400 F it should be fine. You might check at the cob forum for more info on that, i've not built one outdoors yet . It may very well be that something like linseed oil or shellac could be used to waterproof the cob so you can stay away from that abrasive concrete altogether!

Just did a little reading over at the cob forum... you should also... seems if you cover your cob in a non breathable substance , it will collect moisture underneath and sluff off your outer covering ! No doubt leaving a horrific mess. The big red words there were DO NOT WATERPROOF ! Seems a breathable water shedding covering or ... a roof is the best way to protect your cob. Lots for you to learn while you recover. Keep us posted, happy building.

ok I will go over there Cob forum) and do some reading... Thanks, Thomas!!!