Clay Coyote Pizza Oven Build

There’s never a dull moment at the Clay Coyote! The team just completed a new ‘attraction’ on the grounds: a pizza oven! Located next to the studio, the 4 foot by 4 foot pizza oven sits on a 10 foot by 12 foot concrete slab, and will serve as a vessel for good times and good eats. Here’s what happened:

On Friday, August 11, a concrete pad was dug and poured next to the studio as the place for the pizza oven to be built.

Over the week, various supplies like bricks and concrete were picked up and brought to the site. Preparations were made before the process began on August 25.

From August 25 – 26, the Clay Coyote and team of volunteers was building the pizza oven and this process was open to the public. People watched it all happen and even helped out. A tent was set up in case the rain forecasted for the weekend would be an issue, which it was from time to time. Concrete cinder blocks were laid down and glued together, along with fire bricks which would be cooking the pizza. Concrete was made into balls and put around the entire top dome of the oven. There are two slots on either side of the oven where the wood for the oven can be stored.

Next up, this week they’ll remove the arch form, the (14 bags of) sand, then build a small fire each day to dry it out from the inside. After a few drying fires, the oven will be ready for use. Now they just have to learn to cook in it.

On September 8, Clay Coyote will be holding their monthly event Coyote After Dark. With the pizza oven up and running, they plan to make pizza and serve it complimentary to any guests that come to visit. This after dark free and fun event will be from 5-8pm and be a kickoff to football season as it will be a tailgate party. Watch people battle it out during our grill basket grill off, enjoy a bonfire, try your hand at throwing a pot, and browse our beautiful gallery while enjoying complimentary beverages and tailgate food. It’ll be an event you don’t want to miss!

Thanks again to our amazing helpers Chris Singewald, Audra Smith, Betsy Price, Tom Smith, Dave Carson, Kavita Pillai, Morgan Freilich, Matthew Fitzgerald, and Eric Notch. Also, special thanks to Zac Spates for the form and design consulting. We couldn’t have done it without all of them, and our wonderful supporters like you!