I am in the process of building a pizza oven with an Italian style. It looks a bit like a dome with an opening at one end. It will be placed near the patio.
The idea is to cover the "dome" with some form of insulation that can withstand high temperatures to retain heat a bit longer. Then either add another layer of bricks or use chicken wire and then mortar.
An image showing what I mean:
http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/photoplog/index.php?n=4439
First question:
What type of insulation could be suitable? The temperature inside the oven might reach up to 6-700 degrees if fired up. On the Fornobravo site, they use something called "FB board," which is supposed to be some form of ceramic fiber. Is there anything similar?
Second question:
The oven is outside and I don't want it to get damaged by rain/freezing any time soon. Ideally, I should build a roof, but I like the simplicity of just having the dome. Besides, I'm not sure I can manage to create a nice-looking roof.
Is there a mortar I can use that withstands water but can also expand somewhat due to the heat without cracking? Lime mortar? It also needs to withstand winter!
It should preferably be materials that release moisture so there won't be any moisture problems.
