Mud, earth, clay, soil – an awesome and versatile building material which can act as a thermal battery, holding heat. People have used this technology for thousands of years to bake bread and other staples. Today wood-fired earthen ovens are seen as an appropriate technology in an increasingly over-complicated world. They restore simplicity to the connection between toil and nourishment, hand and mouth. Come learn how an oven works, how to build it, and modify it for your needs. Building with mud is fun for everyone from young to old; from experienced builders to someone who has never built by hand before. So join us and get ready to get your hands dirty!

  • Competency Level: All Levels

Course Objectives

This class will give students a working knowledge and actual experience in making an earth oven. Students will also gain an understanding of the context for oven design and how to integrate their oven into their lifestyle.

Materials to Bring

  • Warm clothes to get dirty in, including work shoes
  • Rubber lined work gloves with warm liner and fabric back
  • Glass quart jar with lid
  • Good jokes

Course Outline

Saturday Morning

  • Welcome and orientation to Yestermorrow
  • Introduction to the course and context
  • History of earth ovens
  • Siting/Foundations/The Hearth
  • Lunch

Saturday Afternoon

  • Building with Earth
  • Building the form and Mass layer

Sunday Morning

  • Building the insulation layer
  • Finishing your oven- materials and methods
  • Lunch

Sunday Afternoon

  • Building the final layer
  • Putting on the roof
  • Firing, cooking in and using your oven

 

Start Date: May 8, 2010
Closed
Start Date: July 10, 2010
Closed