River Rock Fireplace: A Wyoming Rock Tower With a Dome Oven on Top
A precast concrete cistern became the core of this river rock fireplace in Wyoming, with a 28" Mattone Cupola pizza oven set on an upper hearth right above the firebox. Here is how it came together, step by step.
- Built By
- The Maguire Family
- Location
- Wyoming
- Oven Style
- Castable Refractory Dome
- Photos & Videos
- 17 Photos
- Homeowner Review
- ★★★★★
Build Time-Lapse
Watch This River Rock Fireplace Come Together
From a bare concrete cistern to a river rock tower with an oven on top, in about 32 seconds. Press play, or grab the slider and scrub through the build yourself.
The Maguire family built this river rock fireplace in Wyoming around a precast concrete cistern, with a fireplace in the bottom and a 28" Mattone Cupola pizza oven on an upper hearth above it. Then they wrapped the whole thing in river rock and added a timber pergola and a flagstone patio. Here is how it came together, photo by photo.
Step 1 of 6
Step 1: Set the Cistern and Cut the Openings
A precast concrete cistern cone became the core of the tower. It was set between cinder block wing walls, marked with tape and cut open for the fireplace below and the oven above.
Step 2 of 6
Step 2: Build the Upper Hearth
Steel supports went across the cut cone above the fireplace arch, and a curved plywood form was built for the upper hearth slab that carries the oven.
Step 3 of 6
Step 3: Line the Firebox and Lay the Firebrick Cooking Surface
The fireplace firebox was lined in fire brick. Up top, firebricks went down in a herringbone pattern to make the oven's firebrick cooking surface.
Step 4 of 6
Step 4: Wrap It in River Rock
River rock went on around the fireplace arch, then up the walls and wings. A timber pergola went up over the new flagstone patio beside it.
Step 5 of 6
Step 5: Cast the Mattone Cupola
The 28" Mattone Cupola was cast in castable refractory right on the upper hearth, with the stainless chimney anchor plate ready to go on top.
Step 6 of 6
Step 6: The Finished River Rock Fireplace
The river rock fireplace and oven tower, finished in time for the Wyoming snow, with stone counters on both sides and a stainless chimney cap on top.
Hover over the dots (or tap them on your phone) to see what makes this river rock fireplace one of a kind.
- River Rock TowerRound river rock wraps the whole tower, top to bottom.
- Stainless Chimney CapA stainless chimney cap vents the oven.
- Mattone Cupola OvenThe 28" Cupola sits on the upper hearth, right above the fireplace.
- Curved Upper HearthA curved concrete ledge runs across the oven opening.
- Lower Fireplace BayThe arched bay under the oven, here stacked with firewood.
- Stone Counter WingsStone-topped counters step out on both sides.
- Stone Hearth StepA stone step runs across the front of the tower.
BeforeFinished
Drag across the photo (or just move your mouse) to go from a bare concrete cistern to the finished river rock fireplace and oven.
Plan Yours
River Rock Fireplace Ideas From This Build
Start with a ready-made core. A precast concrete cistern gave this tower its shape and strength before a single rock went on.
Stack the fire. Fireplace on the bottom, oven on top. One tower, one river rock finish. See more outdoor fireplace with pizza oven ideas.
Lay the firebrick cooking surface in herringbone. It looks great and the tight pattern gives your peel a smooth surface to slide on.
Give it wings. Low river rock walls with stone tops step out from both sides for prep space and a place to sit. For a fieldstone version under a pergola, see this outdoor stone fireplace.
Good Questions
River Rock Fireplace FAQ
How do you build a river rock fireplace?
Build a solid core first, line the firebox with fire brick, then set river rock in mortar over the outside from the bottom up. The Maguire family used a precast concrete cistern cone as the core, set between cinder block wing walls.
Can you put a pizza oven on top of a fireplace?
Yes. The Maguires poured an upper hearth slab above the firebox and cast a 28" Mattone Cupola on it, so the fireplace below and the oven above share one river rock tower. For another take, see this custom outdoor kitchen with a fireplace tucked under its oven.
Is river rock safe to use on a fireplace?
Use it as the outside finish and keep it out of the fire. On this build the firebox is lined in fire brick and the oven is castable refractory, so the river rock only dresses the outside.
Which oven kit did the Maguire family use?
A 28" Mattone Cupola, Package 2. It comes with the foam molds, castable refractory, stainless steel needles, fire brick, ceramic fiber blanket, the BrickWood Exhaust Kit, an oven door and a pizza tool set. Want to compare the round look? See our dome pizza oven kits.
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 River Rock Fireplace and Oven
The Maguire family turned a concrete cistern into a river rock fireplace with a pizza oven on top. 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 28" Mattone Cupola · Package 2, or compare all of our pizza oven kits.
