We are in the kitchen, and this is the cook top with a pantry behind it.
I fabricated a steel framework for the brick on site by welding strap material and angle iron. I cut, heated and bent the angle iron to form the base of the stovetop
insert area and the overhead ventilation fan and light area.
The best way to make sure the dimensions for the appliances are correct for an exact fit, is to have the appliances on site.
Metal lath was fastened to the inside hood framework and plastered over. Another layer of lath was applied to the outside of the hood framework and that too was plastered.
The result is a strong, quiet hood that can be tiled or hard plastered.
Most used brick are super absorbent when dry and will, within seconds after being laid, suck the moisture out of the mortar to which they are bonded.
In a very short time, they are no longer pliable and if disturbed, the bond between brick and mortar will be permanently broken, creating cracks and a weak structure.
If the brick have absorbed too much water, the mortar will not bond and will ooze out of the joints creating an equally weak mess.
I attached the brick to the angle iron by saw cutting them to a size just long enough to cover the bottom of the angle iron. Next, I cut a deep notch into what
will be the back side of each brick, approximately twice as thick as the angle iron onto which they will attach. The extra width of the notch is for adjustability.
Now comes the tricky part; just before I lay the notched brick into place on the angle iron, I submerge it in a bucket of water for several seconds,
remove it and apply mortar to one side and into the notch, then immediately slide it onto the angle iron. I have to work fast to adjust the brick up or down,
front to back and side to side, before the mortar sets. All the notched brick should be laid using this process without stopping until all are in place.
The end result will be a strong, solid, crack free brick unit with no supporting steel visible.
The brick faces for the two round support legs and the cylindrical pantry walls were hammer cut to shape. See more hammer cut brick here.
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