We made a lot of progress this week. The concrete block base was filled with rocks, gravel and is high enough in order to place the oven’s opening at a comfortable and practical level. Near the top, a layer of empty glass bottles is embedded between two layers of clay/sawdust mixture. The bottles and sawdust act as a thermal barrier to prevent heat loss through the oven’s bottom. On top of the clay, sits loose sand, carefully laid firebricks, and a sand/clay ‘plaster’ to act as an external shelf. Finally, we started to raise the oven itself! We constructed a sandcastle dome with a 63% height to width ratio, which someone figured was the optimum internal ratio to foster proper air movement inside the oven. The sand was covered by newspaper divider and then a 4-inch layer of clay, which will be the inner most part of the oven structure. Things have taken shape quickly this week and I think we will add an insulation layer and a decorative surface this coming week.
I’ve been able to contribute a little between classes or afterschool and invite the rest of the Monteverde community to stop by and get their hands in the mush. I will run up there today- maybe in the afternoon and also catch a game of ultimate Frisbee.
Signed M
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