Pizza ovens are a relatively timely process to build for what is an awesome outcome. From the industry/manufacturers, dry loose vermiculite comes in sizes from 1 to 4 grade. Let me know if they came through and what you think. Ask if they have also firebricks with a lower alumina content like between 20% and 25% would be good as you can get these cheaper as well. thanks Nick. I’m trying to build a tandoori in a 55 gallon steel drum and I’m confused by how to use vermiculite as an insulation, do i need to add cement to it or could I put a layer at the bottom of the drum and just dump the vermiculite on the top too as the top layer has terracotta pot, pls help, thanks for the answers I’m expecting. Is it possible to find out how much weight the Vermiculite board with cope with per surface area? Nuggets are about a half inch in size and also a smaller bag with small pellets. The oven is though described as a ‘pizza oven’ which is then correct ( you will need to rotate pizzas or some grilling perhaps in the direct heat source from smaller active flames or again the cinders. In order to maintain a high temperature within the oven, the vermiculite and cement mix must be moulded around the outside of the domed oven wall at a thickness of at least 4 inches. The dome is formed by applying the concrete over a spherical mold, commonly an … tel: +2637 7232 5666 With warmer days just a few months away, start building your pizza oven with vermiculite now! I intend to build a concrete roof and replace the sand by the light granules. Indeed, pizza and bread-baking ovens specifically can be made using vermiculite that is mixed with cement. Yes, the top slab is made out of 4/1/1 ( 20 mm concrete blend / Portland cement/ lime ) as you say and of course, as is, well reinforced. But this needs to be done in a way so it does catch on fire, but safely in a controlled environment so to speak because it smokes. I look forward to your reply as well as sending you an envelope with the support/necessary funding :). *** Let me know a price you got for vermiculite or the ash when you locate it. Also do you think the bricks are suitable for a self build? It works out roughly 4.5 times better price compared to England’s market. And can vermiculite be used as an aggregate itself or does it need any addings? Currently here in Brisbane basic retail price for firebrick is $3 and the same size bag of vermiculite insulation grade-3 is $30/bag ( I buy it at 23$ no more per bag when I get 8 of them ). Unbelieveably cheap in comparison. Hi Chuck, The flue opening at the back right corner; it just sends the heat from inside the chamber away from there. Your help is greatly appreciated! Could you describe what i need to do for the part where i need to fill the gap between the external brick wall and the sides of the oven, the upper slab and the oven itself. It’s in the second part/half on the page in the area where it’s being dealt with how to mix vermiculite and cement containing lightweight concrete. Needless to say they did not do their research and neglected to use any insulation. Want to build your own pizza oven? Thank you for asking, and also for sending your photos. I pay 24 bucks per 1x 100L bag (3.53 cu-ft), you will need more of them for insulating of the whole oven as per below described quantities. However, these jobs can be very easily done using a lot more cost effective and suitable insulating materials that will save you; and with the same or even better insulative properties than Vermiculite or Perlite have ..”. The amount is same for both Swishy and Masterly Tail oven designs. In your article you mention materials that are better insulating and more cost effective than vermiculite or perlite, what are some of these substances? added by Rado: If you use a vermiculite type which absorbs water you can still use it for heat insulating applications. These ovens can be constructed fairly easily at home with exfoliated vermiculite and other refractory materials such as fire bricks. If so, would this vermiculite -cement mixture be able to be exposed to the flames or would we then need to re-brick over this insulating layer? * Where to buy vermiculite insulation? Later the saw dust burns out (burns out either gradually within more than one firing or right away in the first firing as it depends on the structure and conditions) leaving the insulation layer that much more airy – meaning better insulating properties. Much appreciated. added by Rado : For my purpose for instance, I would only place it under the heart slab. Similar topics: information, insulation, Product, SAVING, vermiculite, To link to Vermiculite based insulation article, copy & paste the following code into your website. There are a few reasons for this; 1. I have tried doing searches on the internet vermiculite versus perlite. Had a thought it would be a weaker mix no strength is needed up there. Hello Nancy, You don’t want to be keeping any water in any structure in which a heating above water boiling point takes place. Same way of work with these two materials/insulations. Did you just use loose vermiculite insulation or did you mix vermiculite with something? Excellent information. added by Rado: […] under slab. Does it make sense? Is there any issues using sawdust in place of fly ash? If you mix it; do not add too much water, mix semi-dry and pour it also semi-dry in like that, without tapping it down! They truly are fantastic. Then I use a weaker mix, e.g. Dada spent some time around there before. Please send me plans for making these Pizza and Bread or Roast Ovens. By Vermiculite versus Perlite as thermal insulation materials. Yes of course you can use Perlite instead. If you DIY for single project maybe the money won’t always matter. (and not by a hand held hack saw for instance). 25kg cement is €3, All in all it’s been a cheap project over here!!