Wood fired pizza oven plans

This article is about wood fired pizza oven plans. Building an outdoor wood fired oven is a dream and a challenge for any one, as finding the right plans to fit your needs could be really difficult. Taking into account our experience in the field, we have designed a simple and cheap wood fired pizza oven that is easy to build and has a nice appearance. The first thing you should do before building the oven is to make a complete plan, starting with its dimensions, the cost of the materials up to its location and design.

Before building the wood fired pizza oven, you should choose the most appropriate plans for your tastes and needs. Therefore, you have to decide the dimensions and design of the oven from the very beginning. Don’t forget than you could incorporate the oven in a larger and more complex project, such as a outdoor kitchen. Consequently, you could add concrete cabinets, a small refrigerator and even a cozy patio.

You should use a mix of sand and clay to glue the fire brick together. Therefore, you should not use a regular cement-based mortar, but mix 2 parts clay with 1 part sand until you obtain a compound with the consistency of cream. Using a cement based mortar is a huge mistake, as the top arch will collapse when making a fire inside the oven. In addition, we recommend you to check out the rest of our pizza oven projects, as to see more alternatives.

Made from this plan

Materials

• Bricks and refractory bricks (for the pizza oven)
• Concrete blocks (for the base walls)
• Concrete (foundation and pizza oven flooring base)
• Rebars for the reinforcing structure
• Refractory cement

Tools

• Safety gloves, glasses
• Wet saw (to cut the bricks)
• Hammer, spirit level, carpentry pencil
• Concrete mixer

Tips

• Read carefully our other articles related to pizza oven construction
• Place the wood fired pizza oven far away from inflammable substances or constructions

Time

• One weekend, two workers

Wood fired pizza oven base plans

Wood fired oven foundation plans

Step 1: Dig the foundation of the wood fired pizza oven. First, you have to lay the foundation on the construction site. It is important to determine the location and the dimensions of the oven from the very beginning. In most of the cases, a 4’x4′ foundation is enough, but you can adjust its dimensions according to your own needs.

The depth of the wood fired oven varies according to the soil structure and according to the total weight of your constructions.

Wood fired pizza oven foundation plans

Step 2: Pour the concrete foundation for the wood fired pizza oven. After you have dug the trenches, you should build a wooden formwork and install it into position.

Next, install a rigid structure of rebars, as you can see in the image. If you don’t have experience in building concrete foundations, we recommend to consult a qualified engineer (he will decide the amount of rebars and the shape of the structure).

Wood fired oven base plans

Step 3: Build the base of the wood fired oven. Let the concrete to dry out for several days and begin laying the walls of the base. In order to build the walls, you could use either concrete blocks or regular bricks.

Next, you should mix a small quantity of mortar and lay the blocks one by one. Don’t forget to use a spirit level to check if the walls are perfectly plumb.

Pizza oven countertop formwork

Step 4: Build the concrete countertop of the base. First, you should build a basic formwork to support the weight of the concrete. Therefore, we recommend you to use four 4×4 posts and two 2×4 wooden boards and build a structure as in the image.

Next, install 2×4 wooden boards over this structure to support the rebar structure and the concrete. Place a foil over the wooden formwork, otherwise the concrete might slip through the cracks between the boards.

Wood fired oven counter-top plans

Step 5: Build the concrete countertop of the wood fired pizza oven. In order to build a durable countertop, we recommend you to reinforce the concrete by installing a rigid net of rebars. Don’t forget to install 1” spacers under the rebar structure.

Last but not least, you should mix an appropriate quantity of concrete and pour it in the formwork. Level it with a straight edge along the sides of the form.

Wood fired pizza oven plans

Wood fired oven cooking floor

Step 1: Build the cooking floor of the wood fired pizza oven, by following our plans. We recommend you to lay the fire brick on the cocrete countertop and fill the small gaps between them with refractory mortar.

The fire brick are better than regular bricks, as they are resistant against the fire developed inside the oven. Therefore, you should lay them on the concrete base, as you can see in the image.

Wood fired oven lower walls

Step 2: Lay the lower walls of the wood fired oven. In order to build the walls, you should use either brick walls (they are cheaper) or fire bricks (more resistant and store the heat and afterwards release it gradually) and lay them over the cooking floor, as in the image.

Wood fired pizza oven top template

Step 3: Build the template for the top arch of the wood fired oven. If you use our plans to build your own wood fired oven, the height of the arch should be about 10”. Lay the plywood semicircles on several bricks and don’t secure them with nails (after you have built the arch, it would be impossible to remove the formwork)

Wood fired pizza oven top arch template

Step 4: Place 1×2 wooden boards over the plywood semicircles, as you can see in the image. Remember that you shouldn’t drive in screws or nails to the wooden boards, otherwise it would be impossible to remove them after you build the template.

Work with patience and with great care, as to get the job done like a professional. Use a spirit level to make sure the top arch is perfectly horizontal.

Wood fired pizza oven arch plans

Step 5: Build the arched top of the wood fired pizza oven. Therefore, use bricks and lay them on stretcher on the wooden template, as in the image. Mix a small quantity of mortar (refractory mortar or a mix of sand and clay) and glue the bricks into position.

We strongly recommend you to complete the arch once you have started building it, otherwise it won’t be durable and rigid enough.  Let the arch to dry out for a week, before removing the template.

Wood fired pizza oven entrance plans

Wood fired pizza oven arch plans

Step 6: Build the entrance arch, by using the same techniques described above. Therefore, we recommend you to build a basic template, by using plywood and lock it into position on top of several bricks.

Lay the bricks on top of the template and use mortar to lock them into position.

Wood fired oven chimney arch plans

Step 7: Fill the gap between the entrance arch and the entrance arch by laying cut pieces of bricks. Work with great attention to obtain a neat look. As you can see in the wood fired pizza oven plans, building this construction is not difficult if you use the right tools and materials.

Wood fired oven chimney plans

Step 8: Build the the entrance arch of the oven and leave a hole on top of it, to let the smoke exit the wood fired oven. The hole should have the same dimensions as the chimney, therefore it is important to decide what chimney you will use from the very beginning.

While the steel chimney is easier to install and cheaper, the brick chimney is more durable but more expensive.

Wood fired pizza oven plans

Step 9: Install the chimney of the wood fired pizza oven. Next, you should install an insulation material over the pizza oven and finish it by applying cladding.

My best tips on building a Wood fired pizza oven:

A semi-cylinder wood-fired pizza oven is a great addition to any backyard, providing the perfect setup for delicious, authentic pizzas and other wood-fired dishes. While it may seem like a big project, building one yourself is achievable with the right materials, planning, and patience. Here are my best tips for building a semi-cylinder wood-fired pizza oven.

1. Choose the Right Location

Start by picking the right spot for your pizza oven:

• Flat, stable ground: Ensure the surface is level and stable enough to support the oven’s weight.
• Ventilation: Choose an area with good ventilation for the smoke to escape.
• Proximity: Place the oven close enough to your home or outdoor kitchen for convenience, but not too close to structures to prevent fire hazards.

Make sure you also check local building codes or regulations before starting.

2. Gather the Right Materials

Here’s a list of key materials you’ll need for a semi-cylinder wood-fired pizza oven:

• Fire bricks: For the oven floor and interior walls.
• Cement or refractory mortar: To bond the bricks together and withstand high temperatures.
• Cement blocks or bricks: For building the base of the oven.
• Insulation material: Such as ceramic fiber insulation or vermiculite for retaining heat.
• Concrete or cement mix: To build the foundation.
• Metal or wood form: To help shape the semi-cylinder structure.
• Metal chimney flue: For proper ventilation.
• Sand and clay: If you’re making your own clay or earth oven mixture for the dome.

3. Build a Solid Foundation

A solid foundation is essential for the stability of your pizza oven:

• Start by marking out the area where your oven will sit.
• Dig down about 4-6 inches and pour a concrete slab as the base, making sure it’s level.
• Allow the concrete to cure for at least 24 hours before proceeding.

If you prefer, you can use cement blocks to build a raised base, which provides storage space underneath the oven.

4. Construct the Base

Once the foundation is ready, it’s time to build the base of the oven:

• Use cement blocks or bricks to create a sturdy base that will support the weight of the oven.
• The height of the base should be comfortable for cooking, typically around 36-40 inches high.
• Leave an open space in the base for storing wood or tools if desired.

Mortar the blocks together securely, and make sure everything is level as you build up the base.

5. Create the Oven Floor

Next, create the cooking surface for your pizzas:

• Lay fire bricks in a herringbone or brick pattern on top of the base. This will be the oven floor where your pizzas cook.
• Use refractory mortar to set the bricks, ensuring they are even and level.

The fire bricks retain heat and provide the perfect surface for cooking pizzas.

6. Build the Semi-Cylinder Form

Now it’s time to build the semi-cylinder dome:

• Construct a form using plywood or metal in the shape of a semi-cylinder, which will act as the mold for the arch.
• Place the form on top of the fire brick floor, ensuring it’s centered and secure.

The form will support the bricks as you build the arch until the mortar dries.

7. Lay the Bricks for the Dome

Start laying fire bricks along the semi-cylinder form to create the oven dome:

• Begin at the base of the dome and work your way upward, angling each brick slightly inward as you go.
• Apply refractory mortar between each brick to hold them in place.
• Use a rubber mallet to gently tap the bricks into position, ensuring they are snug against the form.

Continue this process until the entire semi-cylinder shape is complete, leaving an opening at the front for the oven door.

8. Install the Chimney

A chimney flue is essential for ventilation and drawing out the smoke:

• Install a metal chimney pipe at the back or top of the dome near the opening to ensure proper airflow.
• Secure the chimney with mortar, making sure it’s stable and centered.

This will allow smoke to escape while keeping the fire burning efficiently.

9. Add Insulation

To keep the oven hot and retain heat for longer, add a layer of insulation around the dome:

• Use ceramic fiber insulation or vermiculite around the outside of the brick dome.
• Pack the insulation tightly and cover it with a layer of refractory mortar or clay to protect it from the elements.

The insulation ensures the oven heats up quickly and maintains the high temperatures needed for wood-fired cooking.

10. Finish the Exterior

To complete the look of your pizza oven, you can finish the exterior in various ways:

• Apply a layer of plaster or stucco for a smooth, professional finish.
• Decorate the oven with tiles, stone, or brick veneer to match your outdoor space.

This step adds both protection and style to your pizza oven, making it a centerpiece for your backyard.

11. Cure the Oven

Before firing up your oven for the first time, it’s important to cure it slowly:

• Start by building small fires in the oven and gradually increase the heat over several days.
• This process helps dry out the mortar and bricks, preventing cracking from rapid heat exposure.

Once the curing process is complete, your oven is ready for full use.

Bonus Tip: Use a Door for Heat Retention For better heat retention during cooking, consider adding a removable oven door. You can build one from metal or fire-resistant wood, which helps maintain the high temperatures needed for baking pizzas and other dishes.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to build a semi-cylinder wood-fired pizza oven that’s both functional and beautiful, perfect for backyard pizza parties and more. With proper planning, materials, and patience, your DIY pizza oven will provide years of delicious meals.

Thank you for reading our article about wood fired pizza oven plans and we recommend you to check out the rest of our projects. Don’t forget to share our articles with your friends, by using the social media widgets.

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