Want to Know More??

Join us at the Hagan Foundation Center for the Humanities at Spokane Community College for our presentation all about our Cob Oven Odyssey.  It's on Thursday, June 3rd at 9:30 AM and again at 10:30 AM.  The presentation will last for about 50 minutes and include a question and answer session.  Please check out the link for more info: http://www.scc.spokane.edu/?hfchevents.  See you there!

We're Done!...Well, Almost

Despite the soggy weather, the oven had time to dry over the long weekend.  We removed the sand that had been holding up the dome and...drum roll...it didn't collapse!  Once the sand was removed it became quite clear that we'd have room for pizzas...many pizzas! Yum!  The first fire, while not for cooking pizzas will help to dry out the oven.  Also, check out the shelf that Gary built!  Nice job, Gary!   

Cobtastic!

Whew, it's been a busy week!! From a pile of concrete blocks to something that looks alot like a cob oven should! Long story, short we piled the sand on top of the fire brick in the shape of the oven and then bagan the process of layering the cob around it.  Two days passed and despite some minor vandalism (someone carved their intitials in the cob) and the threat of rain we managed to finish the cob portion of the oven and plant some tomatoes...pizza sauce, anyone??  

One Week Down and...Progress!

Look at what we've managed to do in just one week!  Well, I'm impressed anyway.  We laid out a base of concrete masonry units (concrete blocks), built up four walls to a height of approximately 3 feet, filled in the space between the walls with concrete waste and sand.  Once leveled, we placed fire bricks on top of the base and then began to construct a mound of sand that will define the interior of the oven and will act as temporary support for the cob dome. 

We're all pretty excited about the progress so far   and like the way the oven is turning out.  We even managed to find time to lend a hand in the One World garden which will be providing the community with fresh veggies in no time!

What Is Cob Anyway??

Maybe, you're saying...cob oven, what the heck is a cob oven?  Oven, I understand but cob...what is cob anyway?

Told you you'd get your hands dirty.

Cob has been around for centuries as a building material and is used to build everything from houses to benches; and, yes, ovens.  Cob is a simple, natural material that is easy to work with and dries to a hard, durable finish.  The best thing about cob is that it's just a mixture of clay, straw and sand mixed and packed together by hand.  There are very few tools needed and the ingredients are all natural. 

It starts to take shape...

Laying a foundation of coral split face

CMU (Concrete Masonry Units) donated

by White Block, a local concrete

products manufacturer.

Hey guys, you almost look like you know

what you're doing!

Use your imaginaton...

It doesn't look like much now but soon this will be the home

of the One World Cob Oven. 

Can you picture it?