Block evaporator w/ pics

[valleyman]

A few more photos of my almost complete block evaporator. You'll see the evap in "summer mode" with granite slabs covering the top so I can use it as a pizza oven. I painted the underside of the granite slab with refractory cement. Hopefully that will keep the top from cracking.The other pics are of the inside and showing the forced draft option. I still need to get a cheap electric leaf blower.

[RileySugarbush]

Looks great!

How many pizzas have you baked in there so far?

[valleyman]

Thanks John,
Only around 6-7. The last ones I had trouble with. The last ones were done from scratch, I made the dough. I made them to thin with to much toppings and I couldn't get them off the stone. Guess I got carried away thinking I was a pizza maker. The next ones will be smaller and a bit thicker,

I s/b getting a 2' square ceramic blanket any day now. Should I insulate the door as well as the rest of the front or just the plate steel around the door?
Also I was planning on "gluing" it in place with small dabs of refactory cement. Do you see any problems with that?
Thanks

[RileySugarbush]

I would definitely insulate the door. It keeps everything on the front at about the same temperature and will minimize distortions. I guess I wouldn't glue it with refractory cement, maybe hi temp silicone would be better. On the back side of the ceramic blanket, the temp is pretty low.

What I did is screw it on. Drill and tap the front plate and the cast iron door for #10 screws. Put a stainless washer on a 1-1/2" #10 machine screw and push it through the blanket and thread it firmly to the door. Grind off the bit of screw that sticks out the door or front plate and you can hardly see them. You can use a center punch on the edge of the threads from the outside to help keep them from unscrewing. Worked good for me!

[valleyman]

John,

Hi temp "Permatex" from an auto parts store or something more specialized?

If the latter, where can I get some?
Greg

[RileySugarbush]

Any place with wood stove stuff should have high temperature silicone for bonding in fiberglass rope gasket or caulking flues on forced draft furnaces.

[valleyman]

John

Thanks again. I have a stove place right around the corner from me. You've been a big help on this project.
Greg

[Grizz747]

Greg
Is there any reason you went with the deluxe door instead of the standard door on the vogelzang? I am going to make the same type of door. What thickness is the metal for your door?

Thanks Scott

[valleyman]

HI Scott,

I liked the fact that they said insulated and it has a seperate ash door. It might be overkill, but I had a little mad money for the project so I went for it. Originally, Vogelzang said I can order the door assembly alone for around 75.00 which included shippinig. Then they called back and said they didnt know when it would ship, so I went with the whole kit 99.00. Dont need the legs or flue.

The door is 1/4". I had one fire and the plate steel warped slightly, so like all the guys here mention, the front should be insulated.

Greg