Does this sound dangerous?

[jduchon]

The chimney hole is close to the front and rolls over the dome.  It is small maybe 1" x 2".

[TXCraig1]

It's good that it does not come out of the dome. If it's that small, a lot (maybe even most) of the smoke is probably going to come out of the mouth of your oven which really isn't a problem other than it will turn the fron of your oven black.

CL

[scott123]

JD, the FB board is significantly more expensive than perl-crete, but it's a lot easier to work with.

You can also buy insulating firebricks at most brick places.  Insulating firebricks are pretty easy to work with as well.  Considering you're adding the insulation through the opening of the door, insulating firebricks might be a better option.

[sajata]

if the plywood is set upon the block base directly then i would be concerned with rot and then movement in the dome.
assuming its just plywood and nothing secial like mdo.

[breadstoneovens]

Sorry for late reply on that one.

Yes, the plywood is a problem as said earlier and it is against building code. Insulation is a must for the bottom. The best as said is fiber boards, you will save space and will be easy to instal. The best place to buy them for a homeowner is:
http://www.ceramicfiberonline.com/home.php
When it ships it is a category 135 so Forno Bravo will have to charge you extra on top of being already overpriced.
Insulate your dome with the ceramic fiber blanket, from the same website, as well to save the space and make it more convenient to instal.

Antoine

[jduchon]

So with advice from the group, the floor was insulated.  Thanks to the suggestion of the insulating bricks under the firebrick floor.  The plywood removed (wasn't part of the structure).  Insulation around the dome, then stucco over it.  Added a wire mesh over the insulation before stucco.  Probably could have been a little thicker.

The second floor made the oven more shallow.  It is holding heat pretty well.  After a couple more low heat fires it will be time to try cooking!  

[TXCraig1]

Looks nice. What river is that in the back?

[jduchon]

The river is the Stillwater.  It flows down the mountain and into the Yellowstone.

It is just coming down from the snow melt and the trout fishing is on!

JD