We had landscapers come a couple of years ago, and they did some masonry in the back yard. We asked them to put in this base of packed gravel | (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hg82jJasc9I/UgPx5yEI2mI/AAAAAAAAC2A/0ew2HN_3f-Q/w1024-h681-no/IMG_5260.JPG) |
My son got the easy part of the job. He only had to pour 19 sacks of concrete for the base by hand. We actually went to rent a mixer, but on that particular day they were closed for some kind of holiday that only they knew about. Ricky is such a good kid; even though I offered, he would not let his old dad do even a single sack of concrete mixing. I'm proud of that young man. | (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E30IOIO1jJ4/UgPx-hQOZqI/AAAAAAAAC2I/LFpA5pyUUlA/w1272-h846-no/IMG_5275.JPG) |
I had it much more difficult than my son - clean the concrete that spilled over. It might not look all that professional, but what the heck; we're back yard concrete guys ;D | (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BnihS5TSmG8/UgPyDLeaLgI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/ZlIvMz30dSI/w1272-h846-no/IMG_5276.JPG) |
Of course, the boss worked the hardest that particular day. I must admit that even after 25 years in the place, I never tire of the view. | (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-r_z_ZdrEae0/UgPyHT24HxI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/W-foJ_pj8Nw/w1272-h846-no/IMG_5286.JPG) |
Because this is a kit that consists of pieces fitting together like a puzzle, even amateur masons like my son and I can do a reasonable job. | (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b-nifuMpDMA/UgPyLgU2P7I/AAAAAAAAC2g/9KKXZXNjr20/w1272-h846-no/IMG_5298.JPG) |
Ready to set the front of the oven and the next course. (if there are any professional masons on the forum, don't laugh at our work (http://www.niscienceclasses.org/main/Smileys/fantasticsmileys/main_glasses.gif)) | (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JHIht7oXbYM/UgPyPMqLiWI/AAAAAAAAC2o/Q_pAE_azSQE/w1272-h846-no/IMG_5312.JPG) |
The boss got up long enough to inspect the job, and then take a picture for her Facebook page. Naturally being the boss, she took credit for the entire job. (http://www.niscienceclasses.org/main/Smileys/fantasticsmileys/main_shocked2.gif) | (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O_ahriJNrxE/UgPyTck49WI/AAAAAAAAC2w/VfCBTGyzijY/w1272-h846-no/IMG_5343.JPG) |
The basic construction is finally finished (http://www.niscienceclasses.org/main/Smileys/fantasticsmileys/08.gif) It is definitely not pretty, and I need to figure out some kind of shell for the thing, but at least it works, and produces great pizzas. | (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T69DcF8iXPU/UgPyXzc63aI/AAAAAAAAC24/4kNJGj-XQA4/w1272-h846-no/IMG_5347.JPG) |
The fire is started, and we are beginning the process of heating the oven to temperature. We usually take it to an internal temperature of about 900F to 1000F | (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lMV9cPtjmRo/UGZWWpdcysI/AAAAAAAABes/8-PrQm41SbM/w800-h533-no/IMG_5352.JPG) |
It is lots of fun preparing the entire pizza, from start to finish, outside on the back deck near the oven. | (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wlctv4ZFB7k/UcT77VoxRrI/AAAAAAAACXc/nj1zA57NnII/w1268-h846-no/IMG_1435.JPG) |
Here's the moment we placed a pizza into the oven which was at about 900F - the pizzas cook in about 90 seconds at this temperature | (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cTGPhwBh_no/UcT78RLWgUI/AAAAAAAACXs/PaLEe3ngSoY/w1268-h846-no/IMG_1437.JPG) |
This pizza consists of fresh tomato, mozzarella, black olives and sun dried tomato. The plants you see at the side of the oven are tomato - picked fresh and sliced right onto the dough. | (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O_rTqeKuwvM/UcT7-DKZiRI/AAAAAAAACYE/5b78tqpovqc/w1268-h846-no/IMG_1444.JPG) |
Here's a closeup of that last pizza. Not much is better on a pizza than tomato picked seconds before cooking. | (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8OwTsq71U6U/UcT7-immjEI/AAAAAAAACYM/kcU7-C8Pr40/w1268-h846-no/IMG_1445.JPG) |
Another pizza that we now love, but tried for the first time only a month or two ago is this one. The ingredients are pulled pork and black bean, with a bed of Mexican 4-cheese blend plus a bit of mozzarella. | (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zpWURDu4tBI/UcT7_Go62vI/AAAAAAAACYU/SAQv1kXDHi4/w1268-h846-no/IMG_1446.JPG) |
Kind of overcooked this one, but it was still outstanding. Written description alone does not do this combination justice - it has a rich porky flavor that perfectly complements the spicy black beans. Spices include smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne, thyme, and sometimes we use cocoa powder for an almost chocolate mole kind of flavor. | (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qX3Cw9S7MIE/UcT7_minSaI/AAAAAAAACYc/lPry8q5UXyQ/w1268-h846-no/IMG_1447.JPG) |
On another day we tried a few new pizza ideas - this one was topped with sausage, fresh basil out of an Aerogarden, and pizza cheese blend. | (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yx8IPcnm8ps/UHJeFk1v3iI/AAAAAAAABrU/4B2vPz51CxU/w800-h534-no/10070189.JPG) |
We began experimenting with chicken once the pizzas were done. There is a simple Traeger poultry rub on the chicken, and it is ready to go into the oven, uncovered. | (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-I3x5xDQN2nc/UeYz59IS2xI/AAAAAAAACrM/2OqLMDMmNfo/w1268-h846-no/IMG_0507.JPG) |
Almost done! The chicken was really tasty, but I need to use an internal thermometer next time because the breast tended to dry a bit. The skin was crisp and had the same smoky flavor as did the pizza. The dark meat was to die for it was so flavorful and tender. | (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x0tv492gXck/UeYz6d4hOUI/AAAAAAAACrQ/TLmb0SaAmmU/w1268-h846-no/IMG_0511.JPG) |
Focaccia bread was also really good | (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rdLdoyphjO0/UHDn30xCV3I/AAAAAAAABiQ/f5cVa1tLc_Y/w800-h533-no/IMG_5389.JPG) |
...and last but certainly not least, bread with authentic European-style thick crust. We've tried for decades to achieve the crust we experience in Europe with absolutely no success. A friend on another forum sent us the link to a YouTube video in which he claimed really good bread - he was certainly correct! This is the best bread we have ever made at home. | (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eGqf1oy-teo/UcT8IPEK3KI/AAAAAAAACaI/htDM88KmipA/w1268-h846-no/IMG_1463.JPG) |
Talk about hitting the"hot button" for a lot of us here ;D...I have been getting my wife warmed up to the idea of the pizza oven in my deck expansion...... ;D
Very nice job! I have seen some covered in tiles, and some in stucco, or bricks. Are you considering anything to top it off with - or leave it natural?
Maybe the driveway can go a few more years... ::)
Outstanding setup. I would love to have something like that, including the view :)
We had a guy from Africa that had a wood fired grill and he made all kind of things on his. His name was africanmeat. Haven't seen him in ages. Wonder if anyone else has? I want one of those wood fired ovens so bad. I will look and see..I know I saved some of his recipes. Beautiful view too. Pam .☆´¯`•.¸¸. ི♥ྀ
Can you tell us where you found your kit at a good price? That is the main impediment for most of us ;D
That's a Awesome Oven!! Thanks for Sharing :)
Man I would love to build one! Just not at this house. I plan on selling it when the market get's better ::)
Great job and great looking pizzas!
WOW!!!!t if you build it we will come!
Talk about hitting the"hot button" for a lot of us here ;D...I have been getting my wife warmed up to the idea of the pizza oven in my deck expansion...... ;D
Very nice job! I have seen some covered in tiles, and some in stucco, or bricks. Are you considering anything to top it off with - or leave it natural?
... that bread looked killer.
That is just plain awesome.X2 - words escape me.
... Somebody played a trick on you and put Brussel sprouts on your pie ;)
Who makes the dough for those pizzas?
Ed
Boy you getting that thing dialed in. Looks awesome. Somebody played a trick on you and put Brussel sprouts on your pie ;)
I think that pizza sounds great, pz! I love grilled sprouts.
I think that pizza sounds great, pz! I love grilled sprouts.
Thanks, David; I must admit that it is a different taste sensation with the balsamic vinegar, but the texture is a bit off. I think I might need to grill the sprouts before adding them to the pizza to intensify their flavor, and perhaps give them a bit of umami.
My grandma lived in Romania where they had a community oven for the entire town. They were very poor but they cooked together. They shared one animal for the entire town also. I can't imagine but love the outdoor oven concept. I want one so bad. Must be a family thing. LOL. Pam .☆´¯`•.¸¸. ི♥ྀ
pz - I really like the ways you are thinking of building fires in your backyard... ;D It sounds like a wonderful gathering place! I can't wait to see pictures and hear the stories as you build them and entertain.
sorry i jump in so late did no see this before . it looks like a great build , after you do the pizza , the meat, and the bread . as it gets cooler you can put in the pizza oven a tray with 1/2 tomatoes sprinkle olive oil and oregano and let it stand over night. in the morning you will have the best dry tomatoes ever .
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ekJ18alodX0/T3ACNMau63I/AAAAAAAABEk/lZ2QDMZMpcQ/w1113-h835-no/DSC07220.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sUJsHuDZDY4/T3ACQOgGH_I/AAAAAAAABEs/Y1h1K2x8jkI/w1113-h835-no/DSC07221.JPG)
sorry i jump in so late did no see this before . it looks like a great build , after you do the pizza , the meat, and the bread . as it gets cooler you can put in the pizza oven a tray with 1/2 tomatoes sprinkle olive oil and oregano and let it stand over night. in the morning you will have the best dry tomatoes ever .
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ekJ18alodX0/T3ACNMau63I/AAAAAAAABEk/lZ2QDMZMpcQ/w1113-h835-no/DSC07220.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sUJsHuDZDY4/T3ACQOgGH_I/AAAAAAAABEs/Y1h1K2x8jkI/w1113-h835-no/DSC07221.JPG)
africanmeat, I used your idea after our pizza party yesterday - loaded a dish with relatively bland Costco Roma tomatoes and one of our green heirlooms. Put the dish into the oven when we went to bed and closed the door - in the morning I went out to see how it worked and brought the results into the kitchen where my wife was waiting. She popped one into her mouth and uttered:
"OMG THOSE ARE DELICIOUS!!!!"
The only difference is that I used dried basil instead of oregano (the tomato you see missing is the one she sampled ;D
I have to admit that those oven dried tomatoes are among the best I have ever eaten - thanks much for posting the tip.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uf-CYBMAdcY/UiVTLq9i2RI/AAAAAAAADMo/nKnK01N4fGg/w1306-h871-no/IMG_1860.JPG)
Her comment at the end was that the next time we fire the oven, we're going to load it with tomatoes before we go to bed (http://www.niscienceclasses.org/main/Smileys/fantasticsmileys/72.gif)
She's correct though - these oven dried tomatoes will make fantastic pizzas (http://www.niscienceclasses.org/main/Smileys/fantasticsmileys/main_thumbsup.gif)