Stripping Forms From Concrete Hearth - Pizza Oven Build - July 2024
Last week, I completed the concrete pour of the raised (reinforced with rebar) hearth for our DIY pizza oven build project. After a few days of allowing the concrete to cure (wet curing), I stripped the forms and was able to see the final product. Good news, all around. The backer rod, caulk and sand held and the forms didn't leak. The concrete also settled down into the Pressed Bond Beam blocks and filled all the available space. Below is a look at the fresh concrete right after stripping the forms: The first thing I did was to put a couple of levels on the surface: And...more good news: dead perfect level. Both directions: Other good news include the hearth being square, fully-formed. And all six drainage pipes clear and useful. With the forms removed, I'm now DONE with the stand construction and can move on to the actual oven build. It has been quite a journey. January 2024 - Location decision in our backyard ....