These are some photographs taken during the building of our heater. They are not comprehensive nor staged but reflect the work as it happened.
Click on a photo to get a larger view.
- 1) Components from Tempcast: firedoor; transfer box; cleanout doors; cement; seals; mineral wool . . .
- 2) The moulded refractory castings for the core unpacked and awaiting assembly.
- 3) The platform slab on a layer of blockwork to facilitate the construction of a raised seat.
- 4) The rear heat transfer channel sits below the firebox level.
- 5) The ash drop cavity beneath the firebox with the inner sides of the heat channels in place.
- 6) The base of the firebox in place. A piece of cardboard prevents cement and debris falling down the hole and protects the cast iron grid when positioned.
- 7) The firebox is completed and the secondary combustion chamber is underway. The ratchet strap provides stability while the cement sets if permanent banding is not used.
- 8) The transfer box between the core and the flue with integral cleanout door and damper. The appropriate heat channel is cut to fit the box.
- 9) The bread oven base is in place (models without the oven have a secondary combustion chamber here). Note the numbered parts for easy assembly.
- 10) The roof of the oven is curved and fits against the face of the component shown.
- 11) The central core is complete and the side heat channels can be added.
- 12) The heat channels are in place and the cast components are complete. The core is faced with cardboard to provide an expansion gap for the hot core. Note the side cleanout door and the ad-hoc blockwork around the transfer box.
- 13) We built a raised seating bench and then commenced the facing. Our facing is in double-height bricks. Note the scratch-built fibro boxing to extend forward the cleanout space in the transfer box. The air inlet door will be built into the slot in the front of the core below the firedoor opening.
- 14) Note that our heater is built against a non-combustable rammed earth wall. If combustable materials were present in the wall, a clearance space would be left.
- 15) The archwork above the door was designed as work proceeded. Note: the firebox door is built into the facing but the oven door is fixed to the core.
- 16) The completed facing awaiting a slate hearth and the fire-irons to be fitted in their recess.