fire bricking on top of blanket

[canaanmaple]

what is the benefit of using ceramic fire blanket insulation under the firebrick and mortar? picked up a used evaporator arch that came with the bricks also, but wondering if I should use the blanket under the brick for any good specific reasons. thanks!

[Cjadamec]

The ceramic insulation is used well... for insulation. Just like adding insulation to your attic helps keep your house warmer, insulating under the firebrick will hold more heat in the arch which means more heat from your fire will be used to boil sap. A layer of fire brick on top of the insulation protects the insulation.

In short the better the arch is insulated the less you will need to burn to make syrup. Typically 1-2" of ceramic insulation is plenty.

[Russell Lampron]

Using ceramic blanket under and behind the bricks keeps more heat in the arch and keeps the metal on the outside of the arch from getting too hot.