The Wonder Oven Survives!

The crack in the Liberty Bell made it the World's most famous bell...now the Wonder Oven has one too.  This will be repaired because the Wonder Oven wants to be known for its World famous pizza.



Will The Wonder Oven Survive The "Lock Down"

The Big Kahuna is now on "Lock Down." The heat is off and the Wonder Oven has entered the cool down period. Now we must wait. Mike is nervous and explains all the bad things that can happen during this period. I'm the kind of guy that believes the Wonder Oven if half full.

Ready Set Fire!

The Wonder Oven was carried like an Egyptian Pharaoh on the pallet through the window and into the Big Kahuna.  The temp might read 5 degrees outside, but the Big Kahuna will be 2400 degrees inside for the next 36 hours...another 24 hours of cooling time and WAMMO!  All the colors of the Wonder Oven will be exposed.  Mike will monitor the heat very closely for the next 24 hours.

 

Snow Delay



Today was the day we were going to feed the Wonder Oven to the Big Kahuna, but its not going to happen.  A dusting of snow turned into more than 6 inches, so we are going for it at high noon tomorrow.  Same Bat Time same Bat Channel!

The Big Kahuna

The Big Kahuna Kiln is finishing the latest fire before the Wonder Oven takes over the entire fire box.  The heat will be greater then 2000 degrees for the big day.

Moving Day

When the final layer of glazing is completed tomorrow....the window to the Yoder Pottery Studio will be removed.  The Wonder Oven outer shell will be fired in the big outdoor kiln.

We need to carry the outer shell on the pallet as is and slide her in without disrupting the glazing.  This will be harder then the 6000 mile journey ahead.

Glazing (part 2)

After brushing and spraying six to eight layers of glaze, with up to 5 colors, the outer shell will be put in the kiln for a "reduction fire." This process removes all oxygen from the air which pulls color(iron) from the clay and glaze. The clay will be vitrofied (meaning non-porous) and the glaze will turn to glass. This makes the outer shell waterproof.

Glazing (part 1)

Layers and layers of glazing will take place over the next few days.  The colors you see will evolve and change during firing.

Freight



The Wonder Oven will be traveling more then 6000 miles in a few weeks.  The first 3000 miles by truck, within 6 business days.  The second 3000 miles by sea, which should also take 6 business days.  The Wonder Oven will be delivered to the residence in Maui with a liftgate.  Since freight quotes are only good for 2 weeks and were guessing the weight of the oven like the guy at the fair...the cost should fall in the $800-$900 range, plus an additional $100 to move it at the residence if necessary.

The Brick In Brick-Fired Pizza

The bricks have been cut to fit the template to the entrance of the Wonder Oven. Shown here face down, these bricks will be mortared to the outer shell to cover and protect all three layers. The oven door will be customized to fit the arch.

Let The Glazing Begin

Now that the outer shell is complete and the baking frogs have captured the chimney, it's time for the glazing process to begin.



Baking Frogs



Our first baking frog appears on the chimney. Rumor is, the baking frog blesses all of the food.

Bricks Ahoy

We have a dozen bricks that are perfect for the original "Wonder Oven". I haven't learned what the symbol means on the brick but the bricks do come with some symbolism. Found down by the Susquehanna River at the home of Than Mitchell's, a 70 year old radio man part of the longest broadcasted radio program still on air. Ironic, huh?