firebrick??

[skillet]

Our arches are drystacked with 8' block. They are two 19"x63" setups side buy side.The center wall is shared by each arch. We just picked up 40 firebrick for free. The 40 brick are not enough to line the inside completely. Where would be the best place to put them in the arch? The floor or the walls or some combination? What would help get my pans hotter??? Currently we lay 2x2 angle with a few 1" holes in it on the floor to help get some more air to the fire.

[Jec]

I think the walls that is where you will loose the most heat.

[SeanD]

Take a few of the blocks and lay them on the floor for the grates to sit on. Then air will be able to get up and under the fire and still let ash and coals fall down without choking off the air. The grates on the floor by themselves will clog pretty quickly.

The firebox is going to be the hottest part, so that's a good place for the rest. You can also use a few to close the distance under the pans at the back to push the heat right up against the bottom of your pans.

Sean