Remember the outdoor oven that I built for Mother Earth News magazine? Well, a reader built one and just sent us the following photo and feedback. Numerous people have written me questions asking for more details (which are almost always answered in the original article, so please look closely), but no one yet has sent pictures until now. It’s great to hear such positive news. Note how they used different finish materials. They painted the concrete block instead of using tile. The inner workings are the same and so the stove will work just as well.
I finally put the finishing touches on my wood oven, I built from your april 2010 magazine story and plans, ” build an all in one outdoor oven, stove, grill & smoker”. Ive been using it for the past 3 months, and just LOVE IT! We have cooked just about everything on it, But my favorite is still pizza and calzone. I had been dreaming of someday baking my own wood fired pies at home, but for the cost of an oven was too far out for me. Did all the work myself, learned a lot about masonry, and couldnt be happier in the way it turned out.
Thanks again for your great mag!
Long time reader, Paul K.
I have been pricing wood cook stoves lately, antique and new made. I’m getting ready to build a totally scavenged, and recycled earthbag house. I was wondering if you have ever designed a stove like this with stove pipe to go into an earthbag house? Do you think it’d be practical? Need to know pretty soon before I’m committed to something else. The stove, so far I haven’t been able to find free or scavenge.
This site is so great! I’m up now many nights till 4:00 A.M. because It’s so interested
Thanks. Montana Dirtbag Nana
A good sturdy wood cook stove would work great in an earthbag house. It may be the only heat source you need in a small home. Make sure you try it out first.
I’m glad to hear you’re going to scavenge most materials. This is the way to go in most cases. People spend far too much money adding things they don’t really need. The natural and rustic materials are actually more beautiful. For instance, you should be able to scrounge stone or used bricks for behind the stove. Stove pipe is often really cheap at garage sales. Check breweries and farmers for low cost grain bags. But be careful on old leaky windows that may end up costing you more in the long run. And don’t skimp on the insulation. In Montana, I’d go with R-45 in the attic and add at least 2″ of insulation on the outside of earthbag walls or fill the bags with something like scoria. See How to Build an Insulated Earthbag House: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-an-Insulated-Earthbag-House/
Take lots of good quality photos and send us your feedback.