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Customer Builders Model Standard

Sale price$2,490.00

Model:
SKU: custpiz
Builder's Custom Series: Lisboa vs. Pizzaioli Models
The Builder's Custom Series by Authentic Pizza Ovens provides the core, high-performance oven shell designed to be fully integrated and finished by a builder or homeowner to match any specific architectural style. This series features the same authentic Portuguese fire brick construction and superior insulation found in the pre-finished models, but without the final decorative facade. The crucial choice for a builder and client is whether to select the versatile Lisboa dome shape or the specialized Pizzaioli dome shape.
Lisboa Model: The Versatile All-Rounder (Builder's Custom Shell)
The Builder's Custom Lisboa oven features a taller, traditional dome shape with a larger, square door opening. This design maximizes vertical cooking space and airflow.
  • Best For: Projects requiring a high degree of culinary flexibility—rotisserie cooking, baking bread, large roasts, and casseroles. It accommodates a wider variety of cooking vessels and offers a compelling fire ambiance.
  • Aesthetic (Post-Install): Designed for full customization by your builder with stucco, stone veneer, tile, or paint to match existing architecture.

Pizzaioli Model: The Pizza Specialist (Builder's Custom Shell)
The Builder's Custom Pizzaioli oven is engineered with a lower, wider dome and a rectangular door. This geometry is optimized to direct intense heat efficiently to the oven floor.
  • Best For: Dedicated outdoor kitchens where authentic, rapid pizza production is the main priority. It excels at delivering perfectly crispy Neapolitan-style pizzas in approximately 90 seconds.
  • Aesthetic (Post-Install): A blank canvas for seamless integration into a custom outdoor kitchen island or a built-in masonry structure.

Shared Specifications and Construction (Builder's Custom Shells)
Both the Lisboa and Pizzaioli custom shells share the following robust construction details:
  • Exterior Dimensions: Approximately 39" W x 39" D x 26" H (Note: Final exterior dimensions are determined by the builder's chosen finish materials).
  • Weight: Approximately 1,100 lbs (Shell weight before custom finish is applied).
  • Materials: Authentic fire brick interior, patented Rockwool triple insulation (installed as part of the shell), and a protective external dome ready for finishing.
  • Hardware: Includes a non-rusting cast aluminum door/arch assembly and a stainless steel chimney for longevity.

Installation and Finishing Requirements
The Builder's Custom Series requires professional installation and finishing work.
  1. Structural Foundation: A robust, reinforced, non-combustible concrete slab or masonry base is mandatory due to the significant weight. The base must be perfectly level and structurally sound to support over 1,100 lbs of oven weight plus the weight of the chosen finishing material.
  2. Finishing Materials: The exterior white dome is a blank canvas. It must be finished with high-heat materials like thin-set mortar, stucco, natural stone veneer, or tile to protect the insulation and integrate into the final design.
  3. Safety Clearances: The final installation must adhere to all local fire and building codes regarding clearance from combustible materials.
  4. Curing Process: A multi-day (5-7 days) low-temperature curing process is required to remove moisture from the factory materials before the oven can be used at high temperatures.
Builder's Custom Series: Lisboa vs. Pizzaioli Models
The Builder's Custom Series by Authentic Pizza Ovens is specifically engineered for homeowners and contractors who want a seamless, built-in look for their outdoor living space. This series provides the internal high-performance core—including the firebrick chamber and patented insulation—while leaving the exterior as a blank canvas. This allows the oven to be finished in stone, tile, or stucco to perfectly match the surrounding architecture.
Unique Characteristics of the Builder's Custom Series
Unlike the pre-finished stone or brick models, the Builder's Custom Series features a smooth, specialized refractory cement outer shell. This unique exterior is designed specifically to bond with high-heat mortars, thin-sets, and finishing materials. It also features an integrated, flush-mount cast aluminum faceplate that ensures a clean transition between the oven mouth and your custom masonry work, preventing the structural gaps often found in DIY builds.
Model Comparison: Lisboa vs. Pizzaioli
The choice between these two shells depends on your intended cooking style and the desired aesthetic of the final build. The Builder's Custom Lisboa features a taller, traditional dome shape and a square, Dutch-style split door. This design creates a larger internal volume, making it rotisserie-capable and ideal for baking tall loaves of bread or roasting large meats. It is the most versatile option for a custom outdoor kitchen. The Builder's Custom Pizzaioli is designed with a lower, wider dome and a rectangular door. This specific geometry forces heat downward toward the refractory floor, making it a specialized tool for high-volume, 90-second pizza production. It is the preferred choice for dedicated pizza enthusiasts who want the fastest recovery times between bakes.
Specifications for Builder's Custom Shells
Exterior Dimensions: Approximately 39 inches Wide x 39 inches Deep x 26 inches High. Note that the final footprint will increase slightly based on the thickness of your chosen finishing material. Interior Dimensions: Approximately 31 inches Wide x 31 inches Deep. The Lisboa model provides a 19-inch internal height, while the Pizzaioli provides a 15-inch internal height. Weight: Approximately 1,100 lbs prior to the application of finishing stone or stucco. Materials: Authentic fire brick and mortar interior, patented Rockwool triple insulation, and a non-rusting black cast aluminum door and chimney cavity.
Installation and Finishing Requirements
Structural Foundation: A reinforced, non-combustible base is required. This foundation must be a level concrete slab or a masonry stand capable of supporting the 1,100 lb shell plus the added weight of your stone or tile facade. Standard wood framing or decking is not an acceptable support structure. Finishing and Integration: The exterior must be finished with high-heat resistant materials. If using stone veneer or tile, ensure the use of high-temperature thin-set. The white dome must be protected from direct water ingress by the final finish to ensure the longevity of the internal insulation. Curing Process: Once the builder has finished the exterior, a multi-day curing process is mandatory. This involves five to seven days of small, controlled fires to gradually draw out residual moisture from both the factory core and the newly applied finishing materials. Safety Clearances: The oven must be installed outdoors. Ensure the final design maintains proper clearances from all combustible materials, including wooden pergolas or eaves, in accordance with local building codes.
Recommended High-Heat Finishing Materials
The following materials are recommended for finishing the exterior of the Lisboa or Pizzaioli custom shells: High-Temperature Mortar and Thin-set
When applying stone veneer or tile, use a specialized high-heat mortar or a polymer-modified thin-set rated for at least 400°F. Standard unmodified thin-set may become brittle and lose its bond over time due to the constant heating and cooling cycles of the dome.
Stucco and Render
A traditional three-coat stucco system (scratch, brown, and finish coats) works exceptionally well. For added durability, it is recommended to mix a fiber-reinforcement additive into the base coats. This helps the stucco withstand the slight expansion of the refractory dome without spiderweb cracking.
Natural Stone Veneer
Natural stones like slate, granite, or fieldstone are excellent choices due to their inherent thermal resistance. Avoid manufactured "faux" stones unless they are specifically certified by the manufacturer for use on high-heat appliances, as some resin-based veneers can discolor or emit odors when heated.
Heat-Resistant Paint
If you prefer a smooth, colored finish without stone or tile, use a high-temperature masonry paint or an elastomeric coating. These paints are designed to stretch slightly, which accommodates the thermal movement of the oven shell while remaining waterproof.
Outdoor-Rated Tile
Porcelain or ceramic tiles are suitable, provided they are installed with a movement joint. Because tile expands at a different rate than the brick oven, using a flexible, high-heat grout is essential to prevent the tiles from "popping" off the surface.

Crucial Installation Note for Builders
Regardless of the finish chosen, a reinforcing mesh (such as galvanized lath) should be wrapped around the white dome before applying the scratch coat of mortar or stucco. This provides a mechanical bond that ensures your custom finish remains permanently attached to the oven shell.