So, I decided to build a pizza oven in my backyard. First, I gathered all the info I could find online. And, the first thing to pop up was that I needed fire bricks, also known as refractory bricks, to handle the heat.
Finding these bricks was the next big step. I started looking around, you know, checking local hardware stores and such. It wasn’t as straightforward as I thought it would be. Not every place has them, and I was determined to find the right ones.


After a few calls and visits, I found a supplier. I asked a lot of questions. I mean, it’s not like buying regular bricks. These fire bricks need to be special – they have to withstand super high temperatures and insulate well. The guy at the store was helpful, explaining that these bricks are usually made from materials like silicon carbide, alumina, or zirconia. He also mentioned that regular clay bricks might work, but concrete ones are a no-go because they can’t handle the heat.
- I picked out the bricks that seemed best for my oven. They felt different, denser than regular bricks.
- Then, I started building. I followed the plans I found online, carefully laying each brick. It was slow work, but kind of satisfying.
Getting the Oven Built
Putting the oven together took some time. I made sure to double-check each step. The last thing I wanted was to mess up after getting the right bricks. Once the structure was up, I let it dry completely. That took a few days. The anticipation was building up!
Finally, the day came to test it out. I lit a fire inside, watching how the bricks handled the heat. They did great! No cracking or anything. I even baked my first pizza in it. It tasted amazing, way better than the ones from my kitchen oven.
This whole project, from finding the refractory bricks to baking that first pizza, was quite the experience. It taught me a lot about how important it is to use the right materials and to take your time with each step. And let me tell you, the pizza is totally worth it!