| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| mochyn |
Outdoor hearthI'm inspired by the cooking at the weekend. We now need to construct a hearth outside (I've got a small flat area) and wondered how many people here have done the same? I was thinking a smallish hearth of bricks/stones loosely laid on the ground, some sort of mesh above that and building up the fire on top with a tripod of what I call metal sticks to dangle a pot/joint from.Does that make any sense? |
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| Cathryn |
Oddly, yes.  I also think that you will find useful bits of metal work to make the tripod lying around somewhere as well. 'Course a nice welded frame would be even better...
What time did Gareth put the mutton on? It was well into cooking by the time we arrived (a bit late  ). It was really tasty.
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| sally_in_wales |
Mutton went on about 10 or 11 am I think, the earlier the better, it was cooked, but another hour wouldnt have hurt it. | ||
| Blacksmith |
A sketch, photo of the frame anywhere per chance ? 
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| thos |
I want one like Jamie's. Not that we have much of a patio to put it on - and we don't do much entertaining. | ||
| woodsprite |
We've always dug a fire pit and spit roasted above that. The fire is more contained that way. 
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| mochyn |
Der: didn't think of that. I think the old chap wants the flat bit to stay flat, though. Flat is at a definite premium here.
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| wellington womble |
That's Wales for you! We've always done the dig a hole method, and them balanced mesh on top either of the holw or on a motely collection of old stones and bricks. I think you can get it from builders merchants to do something structural with concrete. We also have a once-posh copper fire pit, whic looks very sorry for itself, having been used for so many communal camping cooking centres, and man-land fires. Tripods are harder, I'll have a think....... or Blacksmith would know. |
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| Fee |
Paul and Sean were discussing building a mini-version of the fantastic oven...
http://www.downsizer.net/gallery/9328/gareth_bread_l.jpg ...at some length, hopefully we might build one! Maybe
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| Mrs Fiddlesticks |
ref the bread oven - does it have to be a certain size to work properly? Critial mass and all? | ||
| James |
strangely enough, an old friend from Welshpool was up over the weekend and we ended up wandering around the garden in the early hours working out were I could put an outdoor cooking area. I'm thinking of a field oven, he was thinking of a grill.
Note: to make fireproof concrete, reduce the aggregate and add 30% by volume vermiculite. |
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| Fee |
That was the basis of the discussion between Sean and Paul I think, then Gareth came and put them both right, but I'd stopped listening long before that 
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| wellington womble |
I want one of these, too - I keep meaning to find out about it, and arrange one for himself's birthday. I'll never surprise him, unless I can sneak him away for a weekend somewhere, though. I wonder where I could put one....... |
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| happytechie |
right then I need your help here downsizers. My google skills have failed me. I need some plans for a wood fired oven that's not as big as the one at the farm. I'm looking for something the size of a built in BBQ really so about 45cm * 90cm base size.
Specific questions would be, what's the material for the roof? I'm guessing bricks with a covering on concrete. Door for the oven, what is it made of, looked like a thick metal box filled with something to me? My plan is to build in a grill next to it on the edge of my new deck when I get round to it
Any links to DIY plans for any size would be helpful. cheers all Paul |
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| Snowball |
http://www.ovencrafters.net/ | ||
| Andrea |
We've just been planning on knocking one out!
The one that is in our dog shed is apparantly the one that used to be used to cook bread for the whole village. I use it for burning brambles in! |
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| Gervase |
The oven doesn't have to be big - this one was made from an old ammunition box embedded in clay, and baked stuff extremely well.
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| jamsam |
WALES
MAIR'S BAKERY--Pwll Y Gaseg, Cwmduad, SQA33 6XP, Wales---01559 370082 |
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| Blacksmith |
Not sure about using ordinary bricks ? Danger of water ingress and then cracking when heated ? Would need a small fire over a long time to dry them out.
Refractory bricks would be ideal. |