Earth, Fire and Bread: Building a Wood-Fired Cob Oven

Would you like to connect with your culinary creations in a more profound way? Embrace our instinctive relationship with earth, water, air, fire, and food while helping craft a wood-fired earthen oven for Adamah Art Studios.

In this workshop, you’ll learn the fundamentals of building your own horno-style earthen oven, perfect for artisan breads, wood-fired pizza, stews, roasts, and more. As a group, participants will construct a new wood-fired oven that will remain at Adamah for years to come as a gathering place for future workshops and community events.

Throughout the week, you’ll explore oven design principles and variations, learn to mix and apply clay-based plasters, and experiment with sculptural and decorative finishes. You’ll also learn techniques for achieving clean combustion and efficient wood use, along with practical baking and firing tips to help you get the most out of an earthen oven.

Come ready to get your hands dirty, work together, and experience the connection between earth, fire, food, and community.

Materials To Bring

• Rubber mud boots or shoes suitable for mixing cob by foot
• Work clothes that can get muddy
• Heavy-duty dishwashing gloves recommended, or synthetic work gloves, if preferred
• Sun protection for outdoor work
• Water bottle

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Schedule:

Earthen construction depends on weather, moisture, and drying conditions, the exact progression of construction and finishing may shift throughout the week.

Sunday

• 4:00–5:00 PM: Check-In at Adamah Retreat Center
• 5:00–6:00 PM: Welcome Dinner
• 6:00 PM–Evening: Introductions, Workshop Overview & Get Settled

Monday

• 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
• 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Workshop Instruction, cob mixing and application
• 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
• 1:00–5:00 PM: Workshop Instruction, cobbing, hearth floor insulation, hearth floor, door arch
• 5:00–6:00 PM: Dinner
• 6:00 PM–Evening: Free Time / Hiking / Explore

Tuesday

• 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
• 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Workshop Instruction, door arch, mixing thermal layer, sand form
• 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
• 1:00–5:00 PM: Workshop Instruction, sand form and building the cob dome
• 5:00–6:00 PM: Dinner
• 6:00 PM–Evening: Free Time / Hiking / Explore

Wednesday

• 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
• 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Workshop Instruction, pulling sand form, mixing insulation layers, drying fire
• 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
• 1:00–5:00 PM: Workshop Instruction, applying insulation layers, mixing plaster
• Evening — Chef’s Night Off! Explore the area and enjoy dinner on your own.

Thursday

• 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
• 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Workshop Instruction, sculpture with cob
• 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
• 1:00–5:00 PM: Workshop Instruction, sculpture with cob
• 5:00–6:00 PM: Dinner – Pizza!!
• 6:00 PM–Evening: Free Time / Hiking / Explore

Friday

• 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
• 9:00–11:00 AM: Workshop Instruction, plastering
• 11:00 AM–12:00 PM: Site Cleanup, Group Photo & Workshop Review
• 12:00 PM: Workshop Ends

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View frequently asked questions here!