Build Your Own Wood-Fired Oven: From the Earth, Brick or New Materials Paperback – October 10, 2011

Technically, you could build the whole oven off this book, though, for ones specific desires, I would then use the internet to focus on specific things.I think the subject and writing style are spot on, and being new to this, it provided a lot of useful information in design.I'm an engineer, and have no issues with DIY stuff, I say that because this book may not be for everyone that once a start to finish type of book. For me, this will be the only book I need. I already know how to lay and striking brick, mixing mortar, constructing a brick wall, though he does show it in assy pictures. Just not a lot.But I still think this is a good overall, and one can decide where they wish to go from there.

I bought this book and 2 others. Out of the 3, this and one of the other books was the most help. I am still gathering supplies and plan to build my over this summer. I highly recommend for a novice like me.

Good details on DIY wth plenty of pictues and illustrations. Quality instructions and content. Pricey but well worth it! Very credible!

This is a fairly well distilled, engaging book on building a wood fired oven. What makes it unique is that the author takes an egalitarian approach outlining the strengths and weaknesses and special considerations for natural clay ovens, masonry ovens, and cast refractory cement ovens. The Australian author comes from a background of ceramic arts, with long experience in building pottery firing kilns with his students, as well as running oven building workshops. There's not a lot of fluff here, and I feel its a helpful book for anyone undecided in how to approach the oven building process, especially from the materials standpoint. My only reservation about the book is some difference in terminology or available products between the US and Australia, but I feel that's a minor inconvenience only.

An excellent book describing the process of building a wood fired oven using in three very similar methods; first earth, then brick, and lastly using modern materials. Written more as a discussion of "how-to" so you understand the basic methods, and some reasons why things are done in a certain fashion, as contrasted with an exact step-by-step book. For those of you who feel the need for a measure this much, cut right here, use this certain paint, and out pops an exact replica of one of the ovens pictured within the book you may (will) be sadly frustrated. The author readily points out in several places the book is more of a teaching guide to ovens he has used/built successfully in his past and that materials/methods from one oven style may well be used in the design of another style you prefer to try for your particular build. While he does provide certain basic dimensions as more of a guide it is more geared towards hot-it-can-be-done. Personally I prefer the understanding and reasoning while leaving the design specifics to the individual builder.All in all an excellent short read which should prove a good reference for doing an actual project!

This book is terrific! It boils down all the important considerations needed to build an oven and not make the mistakes you might make just following youtube videos.

The book is got a lot of good information I think it's a very good book

Nice book

Fantastic book for those weekend worriers that like to do it themselves. Very informative with great pictures and details. I even sent Alen a picture of my oven when it was completed and got a thumbs up.

Really good book, so much real life experience and knowledge to pass on and it's a good read in its own right.Found this book a wonderful starting point to making our own oven, definitely recommend to anyone starting out

A great book, got me started on my wood fired oven obsession - didn't teach me everything, but taught me enough to get the basics. Has loads of really good info on the background and concept and lots of useful details on all types of ovens (especially clay/adobe and all types of igloo-design ovens). In the end I chose a design which was not in this book, that of a Barrel-style wood oven, but the methods and ideas in this book were indispensable.With the info in this book and a couple of websites (fornobravo and traditionaloven) I built my own oven and loving it - go for it!

i am ready to start a small project. this book is a keeper.

good instructive book, as described and prompt delivery