We begin by moving large rocks from a small river that seperates Switzerland & France, and placing the stones to get an idea for location.
We then create a radius and begin to stack the stones, higher and higer!
A tarp is placed over the growing oven to provide shade and protection from rain while we are building.
We found a beautiful piece of slate at an old quarry and use it for the front of the oven to provide a large work space. The interior of the base is filled with loose stone from the river behind the oven.
Preparation of base for refractory brick floor. Floor tilts slightly from back to front, and the cement is leveled out over a wire mesh to provide ultimate stability over the years.
Door mock up.
Placing the refractory brick floor, it's finally looking like an oven! We enjoyed some nice Calvinus beer, from the nearby microbrewery in Geneva.
You can see the old mill stone at the left for scale.
Setting the door and beginning the courses for the dome of the oven.
Experimental opening on the left side of the oven for keeping pots of water warm.
Door is set and dome almost complete.
The final refractory bricks are set loosely then the spaces are filled with mortar / clay mixture.
Aaahh! The first fire, and the oven is ready for the house and neighbors to enjoy!
Panoramic view from top road.
Improvised table lets us prep food, while leaving space to work with the oven.
We left a small opening at the top, just while getting the oven going. Normally this is sealed, and the hot gasses escape through the top of the door, but we decided to try something new.
First fruits! Everybody loves food straight from the oven, sometimes they can't even wait to sit down to enjoy the delicious oven wares.
More pizza and tarts with friends, Adrian (co-builder) Kat and Céu.
The oven is in full operation, the terracotta tajine is perfect to roast eggplant, garlic, peppers with a little olive oil. The top has a 'ring' that can be lifted with the end of the pizza peel (wooden paddle) so you can observe the progress of the contents.
Improvised work space at the old millstone, making bread with Céu and Helena from Portugal.
