The Outdoor Pizza Oven Company and Chicago Brick Oven work’s with thousands of contractor’s and homeowner’s on the design install and purchase of their outdoor pizza oven. This post will help anyone looking to build an outdoor wood fired pizza oven. The instructions below are for the Chicago Brick Oven pizza oven Bundle or kit.

CBO-500 Bundle pizza oven kit
If you want a detailed schematic on How to build an outdoor pizza oven, you can email me at info@theoutdoorpizzaoven.com Subject line How to build a pizza oven and I will send you everything you need
Welcome to a whole new dimension of outdoor cooking and entertaining
with your new wood burning brick oven from Chicago Brick Oven sold by experts at The Outdoor Pizza Oven Company-800-256-5534
• We can teach You mouthwatering recipes for everything
from appetizers and breads to main courses and desserts, and
of course, pizzas.
• View dozens of photos of creative outdoor living spaces other
owners across the country have created around their ovens.
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We, and your fellow Chicago Brick Oven owners and fans, appreciate
hearing from you. We encourage you to share your experiences, special
recipes, entertaining ideas and more.
Want to make your own pizza oven without our kit, check out these pizza oven plans
How To Build An Outdoor Pizza Oven

Brick Pizza Oven
CBO-500 Pre-Assembly
Requirements for Clearance from
Combustible Materials
To avoid the possibility of a fire, when installing your Chicago
Brick Oven wood burning oven (either outdoors or indoors), you
must adhere to the following requirements for minimum clearance
between your Oven and any combustible materials.
• Clearance around the Oven: The sides and back of the
Oven must be at least 10 inches away from combustible
materials (See Aerial View below). The top of the Oven must
have at least an 18-inch clearance and the bottom a 30-inch
clearance from combustible materials (See Front View below).
• Clearance around the Door Opening: A minimum 30-inch
clearance from combustible materials is required on each
side of the Door opening and 36 inches from the front of the
Door opening. (A Hearth extension may be required to meet
these clearance requirements.)
• Clearance from Wood Storage Area: There must be
a 7-inch clearance between the bottom Insulating Boards
of the Oven and any wood storage areas that are under
the Oven installation. To ensure the 7-inch clearance, it
is recommended that you incorporate a non-combustible
physical barrier or some other indicator of the distance
within the wood storage area.
THE FACE OF THE ENCLOSURE MUST BE CONSTRUCTED
OF A NON-COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL.
WARNING: DO NOT PACK THE REQUIRED CLEARANCE
AREAS WITH INSULATION OR OTHER MATERIALS. WHEN
THIS OVEN IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, A FIRE MAY
RESULT. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, FOLLOW THE
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.
Requirements for Outdoor/Indoor
Chimney Installations
When building the Chimney, it is important to refer to your local
building code standards.
Every CBO-500 Oven comes with a DuraVent Anchor Plate (Model
# 9441) that works with a Class “A” 6″ Pipe. You can buy this pipe
from any building or hearth manufacturer.
A minimum 24″ pipe section is required. If you are assembling your
Chimney at 90,° you can add additional 24″ sections as required.
(The Chimney Pipe cannot have a total bend of more than 30.°) The
taller the Flue Stack is, the further away the exhaust is from the cook!
Note: The Chimney Connector shall not pass through an attic, roof
space, closet or similar concealed space, or a floor or ceiling. Where
passage through a wall or partition of combustible construction
is desired, the installation must conform to the CAN/CSA-B365
installation code for Solid-Fuel-Burning Appliances and Equipment.
Note: For indoor installations that utilize a combustible enclosure,
only a Class A Chimney should be used from the Anchor Plate on
the Oven to the termination point outside of the building/structure.
For outdoor non-combustible enclosures, a stainless steel
connector can be used.
Note: Please refer to the Exhaust Hood manufacturer’s
recommendations for inspection, maintenance and cleaning.
WARNING: THE CHIMNEY MUST BE OF A TYPE SUITABLE
FOR SOLID FUEL. THE CHIMNEY AND THE REQUIRED
CHIMNEY CONNECTOR MUST BE IN GOOD CONDITION
AND KEPT CLEAN.
CAUTION: NEVER USE ANY COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS
NEAR THE ANCHOR PLATE OR FLUE STACK. WE
RECOMMEND A MINIMUM 6″ OF AIR SPACE BETWEEN
THE ANCHOR PLATE AND FLUE AND ANY COMBUSTIBLE
MATERIAL. AGAIN, CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL BUILDING
DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE YOU ADHERE TO LOCAL
BUILDING CODES!
Arch Dome Insulation Blanket
Very important for correct functioning and life of the
CBO-500 Oven!
The Oven Dome must be covered with the supplied Ceramic
Fiber Insulation Blanket. The Blanket, which withstands high
temperatures, should cover the entire surface area of the Dome.
You can cut the Ceramic Fiber to insulate around the Metal Anchor
Plate. Since most heat loss will occur at the Metal Anchor Plate and
top of the Oven, you should ensure these spots are well-insulated.
You can choose to insulate the Oven further by packing Vermiculite
or other non-flammable insulating material above the Blanket. The
better you insulate your Oven, the better it will perform!
Note: It is important that you use all of the Insulation supplied to
avoid a possible fire.
Note: All orders are FOB. Inspect all components for damage
at time of delivery. Reject delivery if damaged or not on packing
slip. If damages are discovered after delivery, contact your carrier
for recourse.
Note: Any variance from the Chicago Brick Oven installation instructions
or alterations made to prefabricated Ovens without written
approval from Chicago Brick Oven, will void your warranty.
Note: Your Oven is designed for burning solid, dried wood only. Do
not burn scrap wood, compressed logs or other materials. Failure to
follow this instruction may damage your Oven and void your warranty.
INSTALL AND USE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHICAGO BRICK OVEN’S INSTALLATION AND
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS (OR EQUIVALENT). CONTACT LOCAL BUILDING OFFICIALS OR FIRE
OFFICIALS ABOUT RESTRICTIONS AND INSTALLATION INSPECTION IN YOUR AREA.
The CBO-500 Oven Support Base must:
• be constructed of masonry or metal
• have at least the same area dimensions as the
external footprint of the Oven
You must check with your local Building Department to determine
the amount of clearance required by local building codes between
the Oven and Decorative Cover. CBO recommends you add at least
8″ for the width (4″ per side) and 5″ for the depth (on the back side
of the Oven) to accommodate the Decorative Cover and Insulation.
Also see the Requirements for Clearance from Combustible
Materials section on Page 5 of this manual.
CAUTION: DO NOT USE ANY COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COVERING (SHROUD) OF
THE OVEN. ALL BUILDING MATERIALS USED NEAR THE
OVEN, METAL ANCHOR PLATE AND FLUE PIPE SHOULD
BE NON-COMBUSTIBLE AND NEVER MADE OF WOOD.
The Support Base surface must be flat, level and strong enough
to support the total combined weight of the Oven (350 lbs.) and
the Decorative Cover design you choose.
The two vertical support feet of the Support Base are typically
made of concrete block. The horizontal Support Base is typically
made of a 4″-thick, steel-reinforced concrete slab. The standard
height of the horizontal part of the Support Base is 42.”
Note: Imagine the Oven’s Support Base as a table. The table’s
legs are concrete blocks and the tabletop is a 4″-thick concrete
slab. To build the Support Base, you build the support legs out
of concrete block, then on top of that leg base, you build a frame
to pour a concrete slab (the tabletop). On the concrete slab (the
tabletop), you position the Sub-hearth Insulation Boards, then the
Hearth, then the Oven.
CAUTION: TO AVOID THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE,
NON-COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS MUST BE USED IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUPPORT BASE AND ANY
FRAMING USED AROUND THE OVEN.
Your CBO-500 Oven comes with Insulation Boards (shipped in three
pieces) that are placed under the 18-guage Galvannealed Steel Plate
and both pieces of the Hearth for insulation.
Place the Insulation Board on the Support Base. Next, lay the
Galvannealed Steel Plate over the Insulation Board. Then set the
Oven Base on the steel plate. Do not use any materials (mortar,
cement, glue) to attach the Oven Base to the Galvannealed Steel Plate.
It is very important that the entire Oven Base come in contact with the
Galvannealed Steel Plate.
The Insulation Board must be cut so that it is flush, or slightly set back,
with the front end of the Hearth, the Support Base and the two vertical
support feet in order for the final Decorative Cover to fit properly and
protect the Insulation Board from exposure to moisture. The Insulation
Board can be cut-to-size with a regular jigsaw.
The Oven’s decorative finish should be built on top of the Support Base,
not on top of the Insulation Board. Remember, the Insulation Board should
not be exposed to the elements and should not get wet.
Note: It is important that you use all of the Insulation supplied to avoid a
possible fire. The Sub-hearth Insulation should not be exposed to the elements
and should never get wet. It is recommended that you sweep or vacuum the
Galvannealed surface to remove debris before hearth installation.
CBO-500 Assembly Instructions
After the Insulation Board has been set and the
Galvannealed Steel Plate placed on top of it, you are now
ready to set the Hearth into place. Line the Front Hearth
piece up with the front of the Oven base. As you can see,
the Insulation Board is not exposed to the elements and
covers the entire Main Hearth.
1
Push the Main Hearth in place so there is a tight fit with the
Front Hearth.
2
Remove the Front Hearth piece and place the Dome over the
top of the Main Hearth. Make certain the front of the Oven
is lined up, then replace the Front Hearth. Attach the Anchor
Plate to the top of the Oven.
3
Lay the Insulating Blanket over the top of the Oven. Cut out
a hole for the Flue Pipe, and cut the Insulation to line up with
the front of the Oven. If you have any extra Insulation, put it
on the top of the Oven.
Note: Industrial-grade aluminum foil may be placed over the
Insulation for moisture protection.
Note: It is important that you use all of the Insulation
supplied to avoid a possible fire.
4
Cut the back of the Insulation with a razor blade and tuck it
into place. Pull the sides of the Insulation around the back
of the Oven. You can tie the Insulation with metal straps, or
aluminum tape, or just leave it in place.
Cut the back of the Insulation with a razor blade and tuck it
into place. Pull the sides of the Insulation around the back
of the Oven. You can tie the Insulation with metal straps, or
aluminum tape, or just leave it in place.
CBO-500 Assembly Instructions
You are now ready to mortar the Arch to the Dome. Use the refractory
mortar provided to completely seal the space between the Arch and Dome.
You will also put some mortar on the Front Hearth under the Arch.
You don’t need a lot of mortar; just enough to make a seal. Place the mortar
all the way around the Arch and on the Hearth on both sides under the Arch.
Note: Be very careful to not get any mortar in the mounting holes for the
Arch and Door. If you do get mortar in the holes, attempt to clean it out
immediately; the bolts will not go in all the way if mortar is present.
7
Line up the Arch and put the two top bolts in place. Tighten
the bolts to hand-tight. Upon completion of the install, you
will tighten the bolts more; at this time you just want to hold
the Arch in place.
Note: Do not over-torque bolts or you may dislodge the
threaded inserts!
8
Attach the Metal Door and insert the bolts to hold it in place.
Once you have all four bolts in place, you should tighten
them, but do not force it. You should create a nice seal
between the Arch and the Dome with the mortar you used.
Note: Do not over-torque bolts or you may dislodge the
threaded inserts!
9
Use some mortar to finish off the install. If the Shroud is brick
or stone, you should also use mortar around the top of the
Arch. If you are using a Metal Shroud, use a high-temp silicone
on the top of the Arch to seal the joint with the Shroud.
Note: Each year you will need to touch-up the mortar and/or
silicone for cosmetic reasons.
10
In this picture, you will see we have a Metal Shroud. If you
are building a Stone or Brick Shroud, it should follow the
contour of the Oven, but not rest on the Arch. Now slide
the Front Hearth into place and abut up against the Middle
Hearth as close as possible.
Call the Outdoor Pizza Oven and wood fired pizza oven experts for advise on building your oven. This is our passion and we are the leading company in residential outdoor pizza ovens. 800-256-5534