Firebrick vs blanket?

[NHTREEGUY]

I bought a new to me evaporator. Is there a downfall to blanketing the whole evaporator? Or should I got with bricks? I'm in a time crunch. Blanket would go a lot quicker. Don't . Want to ruin evaporator though. Thanks

[TerryEspo]

Insulation will make your unit more efficient and keep the heat under the pan. Some people don't insulate because they like the heat the arch puts into the room, your choice. You can stand right beside an insulated arch, but cant stand beside an Uninsulated arch, bricks or no bricks.
Just using insulation only is tricky because as you load wood, you will probably catch and damage the insulation. Bricks are used to keep the fire off the walls of the arch as to not damage the steel, same as in a wood stove in houses.

I would get a few bricks in there as a minimum.

Hope that helps.

Terry

[GeneralStark]

More info. on the type of rig would be helpful but if it is a wood arch you will want brick to protect the insulation (blanket or board) from the wood. You can still use blanket higher up in the firebox and in places where the wood won't damage it.

If it is an oil rig then blanket will be fine.

[NHTREEGUY]

Thanks for the replies! It is a wood fired 2x6 with a raised flue back pan and flat front pan. I have brick for it and was going to use brick for the firebox or at least where the wood would be thrown in. I was told I could use vermeculite (probably butchered the spelling) on the top of the arch under the back pan.

[adk1]

I insulated my entire evap with blanket. I put bricks only where the wood would be loaded and they were installed over the blanket

[NHTREEGUY]

I ordered some. I will put bricks in firebox and blanket the rest. Hopefully it holds up. Thats really my only concern is the longevity

[adk1]

Mine been going for 4 years no indies

[BAP]

Blanket insulation has a long life as long as doesn't get damaged from something hitting it.

[Chicopee Sap Shack]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160128/d15e9457170aada8366da77201cf7707.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160128/578c76bc5616ef3921b8aed9ad1792a8.jpg
This is what I just did. Blanket then cover the areas that the wood will hit with bricks. Brick on top is for brushing the flues and not damaging the blanket.

Scott


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[NHTREEGUY]

I guess a good follow up question would be how far should I be away from top of arch/bottom of raised flue?

[BlueberryHill]

You already bought Insulation?? I have rolls of the stuff here for dirt cheap if you still need it.

[BlueberryHill]

The place to get bricks cheap was goodrich's in Epping, but they just closed and it's a stinkin' Taco Bell now. I have a good amount of used bricks too if you need some. Wish I had seen your post sooner.

[chestersugar]

Nhtreeguy,(sorry Maple enthusiast) your firebox looks good. Blueberryhill, I would be interested in buying some used bricks and blankets as I am just starting to build a barrel evap. Thank you

[NHTREEGUY]

Chester how did you see my firebox? Blueberryhill, I bought some I may beed more. I have the old brick out of the evap. Not sure its all there but there is a pallet of them. I have the ones in plave for firebox. Would rather blanket the top under the flue pan. How far away from the top lip of arch should insulate up to? I have read two inches. Does that sound about right?

[eustis22]

Did you use fulls or splits?

The best place I have found for brick is O'Mahoney's in Lawrence, Ma.

[NHTREEGUY]

I have all full bricks. I do have some splits left over from the woodstove in house. The full bricks fit just about perfect the what I have them situated now. Just need to get them set in there tonight and wait on blanket.

[chestersugar]

Ha sorry nhtreeguy I guess it was maple enthusiasts photos, teach me to read properly next time.

[madmapler]

I was told I could use vermeculite (probably butchered the spelling) on the top of the arch under the back pan.

Vermiculite works well but you need blanket or something to weight it down. Otherwise it'll get moved around under draft and get sucked out the stack.

[eustis22]

I suspect I will have to replace the splits I use on the sides with fulls. My mortar keeps drying and cracking and the sides get wobbly

[NHTREEGUY]

Madmapler so put the vermiculite down then blanket over? Still looking for spacing between rear flue pan and arch. Is two inches a good space? Blueberryhill, I may take you up on some blanket. Don't think I ordered enough.

[psparr]

Madmapler so put the vermiculite down then blanket over? Still looking for spacing between rear flue pan and arch. Is two inches a good space? Blueberryhill, I may take you up on some blanket. Don't think I ordered enough.

Keep the space below the flue pan about 1/2"

[Chicopee Sap Shack]

1/4 to 1/2


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[madmapler]

Madmapler so put the vermiculite down then blanket over? Still looking for spacing between rear flue pan and arch. Is two inches a good space? Blueberryhill, I may take you up on some blanket. Don't think I ordered enough. Fill it up with vermiculite and cover it with the blanket. Run the blanket up the sides if there is any left exposed. Keep the space to the pan close like the other guys said.

[PerryFamily]

My flues almost touch the blanket on top of the vermiculite. I've found the vermiculite tends to settle with vibration.

[NHTREEGUY]

Thanks for the replies! I tried to find vermiculite at big box stores they didn't have any. Might just lay blanket in there. Any downfall to this approach? With the help from a couple friends tonight we were able to figure out the brick I got with evaporator. Took some finagling and help of a tile saw but the Firefox is bricked! One step closer to lighting it!

[adk1]

I only used the blanket. No issues. Ashes vacuume right up with my shop vac

[BlueberryHill]

Check with Agway for vermiculite if you still need some. I think the last time I got some it was from Dodge Grain in Salem.

[BRL]

Perlite will also work and can be had at your nearest garden center.

[chestersugar]

Ben Franklin in Raymond used to sell it.

[NHTREEGUY]

I will give them a try thanks. I was wondering if perlite would work. Thanks