Installation guide

Pompeii Oven Instructions

1. Foundation

Overview

The Foundation Slab is exactly that -- the slab on which

your oven stand and oven chamber will sit. We

recommend a minimum thickness of 5 ½ inches (14 cm)

for the Foundation slab, however your location, soil

conditions and local building ordinances will dictate the

thickness required.

The slab dimensions listed below are 8 " wider than the

dimensions of your concrete block stand, providing you

with 2" for finish material, and a 2" reveal on either side of

the stand. The slab is also 10" deep, allowing for 4" in the

back (2" finish and reveal), and 6" in front (the additional

space makes a nice edge for your wood storage). The

foundation slab will also be used to support forms that you

will use during the hearth slab construction The finished

top of the slab should be 2"-3" above ground level.

Instructions

First, excavate your foundation (Photo 1.1) The slab frame

for a 5 ½"(14 cm) foundation is best composed of 2x6 inch

lumber set so the top of the form is 2-3” (5-8 cm) above

ground level. The longer form boards should sit inside the

shorter boards, and the completed form can be held in

place by driving wooden stakes into the ground around the

perimeter. Before securing everything permanently, check

to make sure the form is located and faces exactly where

you want it, and is level and square.

1.1. Use a tiller to break up the soil.

Lay a 3" base of pea gravel (or crushed rock), compact the

rock (Photo 1.2), and cover it with a layer of 6ml plastic

sheeting to stop the slab from wicking water.

1.2. A gravel or crushed rock bed.

Place a sheet of wire mesh inside the foundation frame,

and install a two-piece grid using 1/2" rebar (#4) set 4" and

8" inside the foundation frame. Tie the rebar together with

tie wire, then set the wire mesh and rebar half way up the

pad (2 3/4"), using either rebar stand-offs or fragments of

brick (Photo 1.3).