Cement Mixer Transformed Into a Portable Pizza Oven
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Randy Lancour of central Michigan wanted an outdoor pizza oven, but most models he considered cost between $3,000 and $4,000. “I looked around for something around the same shape as those designs and settled on a cement mixer,” says Lancour. “Lots of people have them lying around, so I started asking. My neighbor had an old one that he gave to me.”
Modifying the mixer proved a simple process. “I added cement to the bottom to create a flat surface, then placed firebricks inside and laid cement on top of those,” says Lancour. “Those bricks really help with retaining heat.” He then added a chimney, placed the entire oven on wheels, and reached out to a local metal shop to add a hinged door to the front. Lancour put $50 into the door and $15 into the firebricks—everything else he had on hand or got for free.
So far, Lancour’s used the oven for plenty of pizza, sausage, and steak. He’s even used it as a smoker. Lancour heats the interior with small pieces of cherry, cedar, or oak, depending on the temperature he’s after. “I can get the oven to 900 F in 20 min. That’ll cook a pizza in 3 min.”
It’s a project he’s eager to replicate, though with a few changes for the next version. “I’m looking for another mixer, preferably one with less concrete inside, so it’s not as heavy. I can move this one around with my pickup, but I’d like one I can move with a side-by-side. And smaller tends to be better for these ovens; they heat up more quickly.”
For those who want to make their own pizza oven, Lancour stresses the importance of including firebricks. “You really need those bricks for retaining heat. Otherwise, you’ll have to keep the fire too hot, and things are more likely to burn.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Randy Lancour (ph 906-398-9966).
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Cement Mixer Transformed Into a Portable Pizza Oven FARM HOME Food Randy Lancour of central Michigan wanted an outdoor pizza oven but most models he considered cost between $3 000 and $4 000 “I looked around for something around the same shape as those designs and settled on a cement mixer ” says Lancour “Lots of people have them lying around so I started asking My neighbor had an old one that he gave to me ” Modifying the mixer proved a simple process “I added cement to the bottom to create a flat surface then placed firebricks inside and laid cement on top of those ” says Lancour “Those bricks really help with retaining heat ” He then added a chimney placed the entire oven on wheels and reached out to a local metal shop to add a hinged door to the front Lancour put $50 into the door and $15 into the firebricks—everything else he had on hand or got for free So far Lancour’s used the oven for plenty of pizza sausage and steak He’s even used it as a smoker Lancour heats the interior with small pieces of cherry cedar or oak depending on the temperature he’s after “I can get the oven to 900 F in 20 min That’ll cook a pizza in 3 min ” It’s a project he’s eager to replicate though with a few changes for the next version “I’m looking for another mixer preferably one with less concrete inside so it’s not as heavy I can move this one around with my pickup but I’d like one I can move with a side-by-side And smaller tends to be better for these ovens; they heat up more quickly ” For those who want to make their own pizza oven Lancour stresses the importance of including firebricks “You really need those bricks for retaining heat Otherwise you’ll have to keep the fire too hot and things are more likely to burn ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Randy Lancour ph 906-398-9966
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