Post on 11-Feb-2017
Photo log of cob training in Tiverton 20th June
A cob pizza oven and a cob bench were made for the cob workshop in Tiverton
on 20th June.
A base was made for the workshop prior to the
day. This was made by a member of staff and
maintenance operations students.
A platform of three sides of 9” block work, 2.5
blocks x 2.5 blocks and 10 courses high (on their
flat) was built. Then the outside was rendered.
The block work was topped with some concrete
lintels 900 x 140 x 100 and shuttered up, and
about 3” and screed/concrete on top and a polished
finish added.
Brick arch was built for cob oven entrance.
Cob was mixed with straw, sand and
water and stamped down to mix
thoroughly.
The cob mix was rolled in the tarpaulin
The edges of the cob are being
pared with a paring tool to neaten
edges and give shape.
It was decided to wrap the cob
around the wooden supports and to
add drinks holders. This was to
demonstrate the versatility of the
cob. The shape of the drink holder
was prepared separately and then
the sides were scored to create a key
so it would stay in place.
A drink holder being fixed to the
arm rests of the bench.
Water was added to the bench
surface and shaped and
smoothed by hand to give the
cob a smooth even finish.
The finished bench.
The pizza oven was started by building a
base of bricks and stones covered with
wet sand to make the mould for the
oven.
The sand mould was then
covered in layers of cob by hand
and patted down firmly, and
smoothed.
A flue for the chimney was
added by using a discarded
piece of flue which was lying
around after some building
work. This was used to create
the shape needed. It was then
removed, leaving the vent hole
in place.
The completed oven.