Typical Installation and Use

1. Using cement blocks or engineering bricks, construct a suitable support for a 110cm x 110cm x 10cm reinforced concrete base on which to site your oven.
2. On this concrete base, lay a screed (9 parts sharp sand to 1 part cement) approximately 2-3cms thick ensuring this is absolutely level (1).
3. Now place the 6 special base tiles as shown (2) to form a base for the oven. These tiles must be placed tightly together, absolutely flat and level. Do not make any cement joints between the tiles. The tiles should be centred from each side of the concrete base. This will leave a space all around the base tiles and this should be cleared of any screed after the tiles have been correctly placed and centred.
4. Place the rear elements (3) centred at the back edge of the tile base. In front of this place the side elements (4) and then the front element (5) tightly together. Do not make any cement joints between these pieces.
5. Onto the oven place the hood element (6) on a thin (2mm) bead of refractory cement and onto this construct, using bricks or any suitable material, a flue with internal dimensions not less than 20cm x 20cm. If using bricks please ensure that they are suitably supported from the third course upwards.
6. Using 10cm blocks or bricks construct an enclosure around your oven to a height at least 15cms above element (6). Surround the oven with some Rockwool and then fill the area between the oven and the walls with Perlite, Vermiculite or sand for insulation to at least 10cms above the element (6).
7. Now form a cover for the enclosure to prevent rainwater penetration. This can be simply made from aluminium, galvanised steel, weather resistant timber or a more elaborate roof type construction to suit your requirements.
8. Finally add the Finishing touches to your oven perhaps by forming a shelf in front of the oven entrance with concrete and covering with quarry tiles if required. If you have used blocks to construct the oven housing, these may now be rendered, tiled or covered with any non-combustible material of your choice. Your Earthstone oven is now ready for use.
9. DO NOT LIGHT THE OVEN UNTIL ROCKWOOL AND SAND OR VERMICULITE INSULATION HAS BEEN COMPLETED
    

Notes:

• These are instructions for a basic installation of the Earthstone Pichounet. The Same principles apply apply to all models within the Earthstone Range.
• You may wish to tailor the design of the enclosure to your own taste, perhaps as part of an integrated outdoor/indoor cooking area. The most important points to remember when constructing your oven are:
• Always leave at least 10cm for insulation between the oven and the walls of the enclosure.
• Ensure the space between the oven and the walls of the enclosure are completely filled with non-combustible insulation material e.g. Perlite, Vermiculite, or sand. In the case of the latter please ensure that you use only concrete blocks for the enclosure or the weight and pressure of the sand against the sides may cause them to bulge and crack.
• Only use non-combustible materials for the construction of the enclosure

Lighting and Using Your Earthstone Oven

1. Use only seasoned, dry timber or charcoal.
2. Place a small amount of kindling timber in the centre of the oven together with one or two firelighters and ignite.
3. Once the kindling has caught fire, carefully add one or two small logs to the fire and allow them to begin burning well before adding any further timber to the fire. Do not over fire the oven. Flames should remain inside the oven and not rise up the external flue. The inside of the oven may become coated with a thin layer of black soot, this is quite normal. If you are cooking at high temperatures (pizza for example) the soot will become a greyish white colour when the oven has reached the optimum temperature.
4. If grilling, spread the burning or glowing timber across the base of the oven, position the grill and begin your cooking.
5. For traditional wood-fire roasting or baking, move the fire to the rear or one side of the oven. You may now cook either in a roasting pan or straight on the deck of the oven. The door may be left off for grilling or quick roasting or put in place for smoking or slow roasting and baking.
6. If using charcoal, light as you would a barbecue using any charcoal lighting fluid or firelighter. Never use petrol, methylated spirit or similar flammable liquid.
7. To put out the fire, close the air vents and place the cast iron door against the oven entrance tightly, this will smother the fire. Do remember that the oven retains heat for a long time so always remove the door slowly and carefully to avoid sudden re-ignition of the fire. CAUTION the door may be very hot always use oven gloves.
8. Your Earthstone oven requires practically no maintenance. To keep the inside clean, allow the oven to cool, then brush out the ashes and wipe the deck with a damp cloth or mop. Please note that over time small natural expansion cracks may appear in the tiles and the oven elements. This is quite normal and does not interfere with normal operation.
9. Experiment with different cooking techniques in your Earthstone oven. You will be amazed at the different types of food you can enjoy and how delicious they taste. With your Earthstone oven you have a true gastronomic centre in your garden, use it instead of your old barbecue, your imagination is the only limitation to the type of food you prepare.

Please note: All Dimensions are approximate & Specifications are subject to change