2012 MHA Annual Meeting

Brick Tandoor Workshop with Alex Chernov

Photo credits: Norbert Senf

Building a base.

Firebrick floor is laid dead level. It is important to start out flat.

an 18" circle is drawn, representing the inside diameter of the bottom of the Tandoor.

The bottom layer is cut from #2 arch bricks, sawn into two soaps.

CAD drawings for the layout and to figure out the cuts.
Alex said about 3.5 hours of cutting was involved, using a saw with a tilting table that allows compound cuts.

The inward curving portion is laid with stacked joints. This keeps the inner surface of the Tandoor as smooth as
possible, so that the Naan bread will release from the sides and not stick.
Alex's preferred mortar is Super 3000 from Vesuvius. It has contains medium grog, which allows thick joints if needed.

A ledge is cut where shown, to form a collar that allows a strap to be installed.
The Tandoor was designed to be portable, requiring a steel harness to keep it intact.

Lower strap installed.

Top strap installed.

Connecting straps.

A small fire was started to help with the drying process.

Adding ceramic blanket insulation and mesh.

Eva Edleson starts the plastering. A mix of Redart clay, sand, straw and horse manure.

Finish coat.

Details of the insulated lid. The slots are designed to hold 8 skewers.

Hendrik Lepel applies a decorative finish with a wet towel and different color of clay.

Curing

"Borrowing" some charcoal from the lime kiln.

First test was with marinated lamb on a skewer.

Taste and juiciness was awesome.

Sausages were next. They were sliding off the skewers, so scallions were used to
hold them in place.

Again, awesome.

Naan bread. The dough was prepared by Richard Miscovitch, well known artisan baker and teacher.
A special pillow is used to reach into the Tandoor and stick it to the sides.

A trowel and a hook are used to peel it off.

Next up was a chicken.

It took about an hour. The skin was sealed, which kept all the juices inside.

The chicken was super juicy. A big pool of juice came out as soon as the skin was cut.

Alex donated the Tandoor to the MHA Auction.
It was designed with lifting points on the harness. However, it was decided to try to move it in one piece, with
the insulation and plaster intact.

Sliding onto the bed of a pickup truck.