Forno Bravo’s free brick oven plan (https://www. fornobravo. com/pompeii-oven/brick-oven-table-of-contents/) Makezine’s free brick oven plan (http://makezine. com/projects/quickly-construct-wood-fired-pizza-oven/) Purchase oven plans from EarthStone ovens (http://earthstoneovens. com/)

If you’re building the oven under a patio cover, the oven should be short enough to fit underneath it. However, make sure the chimney can stick out from underneath the patio cover to release the smoke. If you want to cook large pizzas, the floor of the oven must be large as well. Budget limitations should be taken into consideration. If you have a small budget, plan to build a smaller oven.

Dome ovens can be difficult to build. Some plans even involve woodworking. These ovens can take a lot of time to heat up properly.

These ovens are usually sold in kits that include a firebox and a large metal barrel. These kits usually have to be purchased online and can be expensive to ship.

If you make a larger patio area, you will need more materials and the foundation will take more time to build.

Use a spirit level to make sure the form is perfectly level. The more level the form is, the more level your foundation will be. [3] X Research source

Follow the manufacturer instructions. Avoid digging too deep too quickly. Only excavate about an inch at a time. Water the area a few hours before tilling to loosen up the soil.

If you don’t have a tamper, you can use your foot to compact the gravel. However, it won’t be compacted as well.

Wire mesh can be purchased at your local home improvement store or online.

A circular saw, to cut straight pieces of wood A jigsaw, for cutting shapes in wood A power drill, to drive screws into pieces of wood A level

Firebricks are used to line the interior of the oven. These bricks resist crumbling caused by heat and can withstand high temperatures. Red clay bricks are usually used on the exterior of the oven. These bricks help insulate the firebricks and are somewhat heat resistant as well. [7] X Research source Other brick types, such as concrete blocks, may be used for the base of the oven. These are chosen for their durability and stability.

Follow the ratios in your brick oven plan. Usually, the plan will ask you to mix six parts of clay to four parts of sand. [8] X Research source For advice on bricklaying, talk to a representative from your local home improvement store. They can direct you towards the proper tools and equipment.

Once the concrete blocks have been stacked, fill every other core with concrete to cement everything together. [9] X Research source The space inside the oven stand can be used to store firewood.

Install a rebar grid into the wooden form before pouring the concrete for additional support. [10] X Research source

Avoid the temptation to use mortar to connect the firebricks. Mortar won’t expand and contract with the bricks and will eventually crack them.

Let the sand and clay paste dry on each layer before continuing. Leave a space open near the back of the dome. This will allow the smoke to vent into a chimney.

You can also create a chimney base with the firebricks and then purchase a tall, metal chimney flute. Attach the flute with mortar.

Use mortar to connect the red clay bricks. You can create an oven door out of wood or simply use loose bricks to block it off when necessary. Keep in mind that closing off your fire during use will cut off oxygen and cool the oven, or even extinguish it.

Follow the manufacturer instructions when using an infrared thermometer.

The oven needs to be 650 to 700 degrees Fahrenheit (343-371 degrees Celsius) to properly cook a pizza. You may need to add more wood every 15-20 minutes to maintain the flame.

This method works best with larger cuts of meat. The roast should be in a pan and wrapped with foil.

This method works well for bread, desserts, beans, and pasta dishes. Bread can be placed directly on the brick while other dishes should be cooked in an oven safe pan.