Hearth Slab

To make the hearth slab- what the oven actually sits on, I framed out with plywood and studs.   There is rebar running throughout.

 I used concrete first, and a vermiculite mixture (vermiculite and Portland cement) poured on top of it.  Some plans called for the vermiculite first, other the concrete first. I suppose there are pros and cons to both.

I poured 1 right after the other, so I don't have pics of the concrete only.  The vermiculite mixture was interesting and I wasn't sure it was going to set up firm enough.

The next morning it was solid enough for the girls, so I gave it a try.