Forno Oven, Texas Style: The Knight Family's 'Ciao' Brick Build
Forno is Italian for oven, and this one fits the name: a red brick barrel with a brick arch, a grape mosaic that says "Ciao" and a handmade plank door, built by a Texas family. Here is how it came together, step by step.
- Built By
- The Knight Family
- Location
- Texas
- Oven Style
- Fire Brick Barrel
- Photos & Videos
- 27 Photos
- Homeowner Review
- ★★★★★
Build Time-Lapse
Watch This Forno Oven Come Together
From a stack of cinder blocks to the first fire, in about 52 seconds. Press play, or grab the slider and scrub through the build yourself.
Forno is simply Italian for oven, and the Knight family leaned into the name. Their Texas forno oven is a Mattone Barile fire brick barrel with a red brick arch, a grape mosaic that says "Ciao" on the chimney and a handmade plank door, all on a bright orange stucco stand full of firewood. Here is how it came together, photo by photo.
Step 1 of 6
Step 1: Pour the Foundation and Lay the Block
A gravel base went down inside a red paver border, then a concrete foundation slab with rebar pins for the block walls. The cinder block stand went up around an open bay for firewood.
Step 2 of 6
Step 2: Set the Hearth and the Firebrick Cooking Surface
The hearth slab was poured in two pieces in the garage, then set on the stand. A red brick border went around the edge, and the firebrick cooking surface went down in a herringbone pattern.
Step 3 of 6
Step 3: Build the Firebrick Barrel
With the Mattone Barile foam form on the cooking surface, the firebrick walls went up course by course and closed over the top. A tumbled stone face went on the front of the hearth.
Step 4 of 6
Step 4: Insulate and Add the Red Brick Arch
Ceramic fiber blanket wrapped the barrel. Then a red brick arch went across the front, red brick veneer went over the top, and the foam form came out.
Step 5 of 6
Step 5: The Italian Details
Two handmade touches give this forno oven its name: a grape mosaic that says "Ciao" for the chimney, and a plank wood door with black iron handles.
Step 6 of 6
Step 6: The Finished Forno Oven
The block stand got a bright orange stucco finish and a full bay of firewood. Then the first fire, and pizza night in matching chef hats.
Hover over the dots (or tap them on your phone) to see what makes this forno oven one of a kind.
- Chimney CapA black spark arrestor cap tops the brick chimney.
- "Ciao" Grape MosaicA handmade grape mosaic set into the brick chimney.
- Red Brick ArchA red brick arch frames the oven opening.
- Handmade Plank DoorA rustic plank wood door with iron studs.
- Orange Arch FaceAn orange stucco band wraps the arch face to match the stand.
- Red Brick BarrelRed brick veneer covers the insulated fire brick barrel.
- Brick Hearth BorderA red brick border trims the hearth.
- Tumbled Stone FaceTumbled stone tile dresses the front of the hearth.
BeforeFinished
Drag across the photo (or just move your mouse) to go from a bare foundation slab to the finished forno oven.
Plan Yours
Forno Oven Ideas From This Build
Give it a name. A tile mosaic on the chimney is an easy way to make the oven your own. The Knights went with grapes and a friendly "Ciao."
Make your own door. A plank wood door with iron handles fits the Italian look, or add one of our ready-made oven doors to your kit.
Use color. A bright stucco stand makes the red brick pop. Matching the arch face to the stand ties it all together.
Store your firewood below. An open bay under the hearth keeps dry wood right where you need it. For another Texas build, see this outdoor kitchen pavilion.
Good Questions
Forno Oven FAQ
What is a forno oven?
Forno is the Italian word for oven. In English it usually means a traditional wood-fired brick oven, like the red brick oven the Knight family built in Texas.
Which oven kit did the Knight family use?
A Mattone Barile, Package 1. It is a fire brick barrel oven built over our foam form, then insulated and finished in red brick. Compare all of our pizza oven kits.
Is this oven a barrel or a dome?
A barrel. The Mattone Barile is a fire brick barrel vault. The arch on the front gives it a round look, but the oven itself is a barrel.
How do you build the brick arch on the front?
Lay the arch bricks over the front of the foam form, then remove the form once the mortar sets. The Knights built a red brick arch over a firebrick arch for a two-tone opening.
Can you make your own oven door?
Yes. The Knights built a plank wood door with black iron handles to match their Italian theme.
How long do you cure a new pizza oven?
Plan on about a week of small, gradually bigger fires to drive the moisture out. Skip it and the oven can crack. See our pizza oven curing guide for the full schedule.
Your Turn
Build Your Own Forno Oven
The Knight family turned a stack of cinder blocks into a red brick forno oven with an Italian accent. Every one starts with the same kit and plans. Start with our free plans and materials list, then finish it your way. Ready to start? See Mattone Barile · Package 1, or compare all of our pizza oven kits.
