Is Ceramic Arch Paper or Ceramic Insulation better?

[claystroup]

My new evaporator came with 1/4" Ceramic arch paper included. I am getting ready to fire brick and I also have a 75' long x 2' wide roll x 1/2" thick 2000 degree ceramic blanket insulation. Which is better to put behind my firebrick and why?

Thanks,

Clay

[bstewar]

The 1/4" arch paper is good to 2300 degrees and 2000 degrees continuous. So not really much different than the blanket. I have used 1" thick blanket behind my bricks on a previous arch and it worked great. No burns for the incidental contacts. I just put the 1/4" insulation in my new arch behind bricks in the firebox. Also used the 1/4" in the tunnel under the flies and built up the clearance with some 1" fire blanket - no bricks under the flue pan.

[bstewar]

"Which is better to put behind my firebrick and why?"
To answer this directly, you can maximize your fire box space with 1/4" ceramic arch paper vs. 1" blanket (unless you compress the blanket behind your bricks - then you lose insulating value)