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building an outdoor pizza oven with reclaimed brick

Brick.Oven

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Joined
Jan 20, 2026
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3
my wife and I have been talking about building an outdoor pizza oven for years, and this is finally the year it happens.
I know firebrick is the standard, but my dad have this the mountain of leftover masonry stacked around the yard, and he said I can use it.

my plan is to use firebrick for the floor but repurpose solid pavers for the vault.
do you think the pavers will hold up to the heat, or am I asking for trouble?
I’m guessing they’ll be alright, but I’d love to hear from anyone who has built a DIY brick oven using reclaimed materials
 
cooking surface is about 28x30. dome peaks at 21", and I’m looking at a 14x14 door with a small chimney tucked right inside
 
I do not recommend using those leftover pavers because the standard masonry cannot handle the thermal shock of a wood fire like firebrick does.
 
You aree already doing the hard part with the foundation and floor. The best option is to use real refractory bricks for the vault. It will also help your oven last longer and stay safe to use.
 
@Brick.Oven, if you choose to proceed with the reclaimed materials, you need to test the pavers first, remember to only use solid clay pavers if possible. Avoid lightweight or porous concrete pavers.
Also, dry them out before building, make sure the pavers are completely dry. Let them sit in the sun for weeks.
 
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