Jumped the gun

[Brad W Wi]

O.K. on my question on fire bricking . I jumped the gun and have firebricked the front part of my box, the area where the fire is burning. Can I put the rigid arch board over the brick that I have in already?? Or do I need to pull out the brick out and start fresh. I'm still confused on the needing of the board some say yes and some say no. I'm using full brick and making my fire box smaller with everything I add. I've tried calling Dallaire and I get a recording in French, so no help there ( I had a hard enough time in high school with English). The supply house, Roth's Sugar Bush says I only need to fire brick it. What will the out come be if I just fire brick??? I was hoping to get this all set up before winter sets in and try boiling just water to test it. But it's looking bad right now on time. I'm limited to week ends as of now.

[HanginAround]

The board will get beat up very quickly if you put it on the outside of your brick... about the only place you might be able to get away with it is on your front (immediately to the left and right of the doors, but still, it's made from mineral fibre and breaks apart quite easily. Evaporators were used for hundreds of yrs without it, so you definately don't NEED it, but it improves efficiency somewhat, and protects your arch from heat, especially SS will turn yellowish if it gets too warm. Do you have forced air draft? Your heat levels are alot higher with forced air, so more of a concern. Only you can decide if you want to take the brick out I guess, depending on how much you have done, and what the trade-offs are. I personaly really like the board, a whole other inch of insulation with very little effort, but I don't think you could make me re-do any more than a small area in order to put it in :D

[Pete33Vt]

Hangin is right, arch board is not NEEDED to boil, its just that with it your sides will be cooler, better for long hours of boiling, The heat will be under your pans where its needed, and your stainless will be protected more. You could always try boiling this year without it. You might find out you want a bigger rig next year. :lol: :lol:
Then at the end of the season rethink it. You can always add it next year. That way you don't feel so rushed for time.
Good luck
Pete