How Many Bricks in a Wood Fired Pizza Oven?

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The size of the pizza oven you want will dictate how many bricks you will need to build the oven. On average, if you are using regular-sized red bricks, you will need approximately 200 to 300 bricks.

Some people recommend using pavers that can cover one square foot per piece. Depending on what kind of pizza oven you want to make, as well as the size, will ultimately dictate how many bricks or pieces you will need.

Many Bricks Do You Need For an Average Pizza Oven?

On average it is recommended to use between 200 to 300 red-fire bricks. Typical bricks are not designed for high heat, so it is very important that you locate and obtain fire bricks for this project.

If you do not, traditional-style bricks will break down over time due to being exposed to high heat. As discussed previously, if you use pavers, you will ultimately need fewer bricks. Pavers come in a variety of sizes but are most commonly found in 12 inches by 12 inches.

Another size that papers can be found in is 16 inches by 16 inches. Another factor that will fluctuate the number of bricks you will need is how high off of the ground you are going to build the oven.

If you do not plan on building very high off the ground, then you may need as little as 20 to 30 bricks. The higher end of the brick count comes from building a pizza oven that has a dome-shaped top and countertop height.

 

How Much Clay is Needed for a Pizza Oven?

You will need approximately 100 to 250 clay bricks. The clay bricks are used to build the base. If you are planning on building a wood fire pizza oven with a dome-shaped top, you will need clay to shape and form the dome.

Depending on the height and diameter that you want your dome to be will dictate how much clay you are going to need. Clay bricks are ideal and can help prolong the life of your pizza oven and dome.

 

Do You Need Concrete Blocks As Well?

You may need concrete blocks if you are building your pizza oven directly on the ground or if you want it built up to waist level.

In addition to using concrete blocks to build up the height of the wood-fired pizza oven, you can also use concrete blocks or pavers as a base to hold your pizza. Concrete blocks can also be used in lieu of a domed top.

The only thing you have to be sure of is leaving room for ventilation so that the fire can burn as efficiently as possible.

 

Do You Need Specific Brick to Build a Pizza Oven?

In order to build a long-lasting wood fire pizza oven, you must use fire bricks. Fire bricks are made from Fire clay and contain alumina and silica. When these two components are mixed with clay, they can withstand much higher heat exposure for longer periods.

In addition, these two components extend the life and integrity of the brick. Most often, these bricks are also used in kilns or furnaces. You can build a wood fire pizza oven without fire bricks, but it will definitely not last as long as those built with fire bricks.

 

How Long Does it Take to Make Your Own Brick Pizza Oven?

The time it takes you to build a wood-fired pizza oven completely hinges on your handyman skills and the speed at which you work.

If you are not used to tackling DIY projects or are new to building things yourself, you can expect this project to take longer than someone who has built a wood-fired pizza oven before.

On the other hand, if you are diligent in this project and gather all of your supplies before beginning the project, you should expect this task to take around 2 hours to complete, given that there are no hiccups along the way.

 

Final Thoughts on How Many Bricks You Need for a Wood-Fired Pizza Oven

Building your very own wood-fired pizza oven can be as simple or as complicated as you would like to make it. If you want to go the simple route, then purchasing several concrete pavers and fire bricks is your way to go.

If you want a pizza oven with a dome top, then you should expect to spend a little more time creating your dome. Either design of the pizza oven is a fairly easy DIY project you can tackle in your backyard and complete within a few short hours.

The biggest takeaway to remember while building your own wood-fired pizza oven is to make sure that the fire can circulate oxygen, which in return will fuel the fire and generate high heat for you to cook your pizza in.