So I'm going to redoing my fire box, for durability is refractory cement more durable than firebrick?
So I'm going to redoing my fire box, for durability is refractory cement more durable than firebrick?
I used refractory cement with my firebrick, just like laying block.
They both break down with the heat we develop in the arches, but you will still get several years out of it. I usually touch up my seams every year as some refractory will come loose. I will set my bricks then skim coat over the seams and end up with probably 60 % of my total brick surface covered with refractory. I completely cover the end with the door as that seems to be where bricks come loose the most. I usually let it dry a day and then build a light fire (put some water in your pan) and cure it.
125-150 taps
Smokey Lakes Full pint Hybrid pan
Modified half pint arch
Air over fire
All 3/16 tubing
Southern Ohio
My idea is instead of replacing all the firebrick with new brick I figured that I would just buy refacrotory cement in the dry powder from menards, I'd make some forms inside the fire box and mix up the cement and pour it into the wooden forms to do the sides, back and the little bit of front walls. I will be buying arch board for insulating the box.
I can't remember where I heard it but I want to say that firebricks are more durable than refractory cement. I think this is why most arch manufacturers say to make the joints between the bricks as small as possible.
And in terms of maintenance if you break one brick it is easier to replace then an whole wall of poured refractory cement if it cracks in half.
Camp Wokanda
Peoria Park District
2023 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, sap storage shack w/ 1100 gallon tank - 123 gallons
2022 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, homemade vac filter & water jacket canner - 104 gallons
2021 - 215 on 3/16 shurflo, added 2nd membrane to RO - 78 gallons
2020 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, upgraded hp pump on RO - 66 gallons
2019 - 150 on 3/16 shurflo, Deer Run 125 dolly RO - 73 gallons
2018 - 120 on 3/16 shurflo, 2x6 raised flue w/hood, homemade arch w/ AUF & AOF - 34.5 gallons
I would not think it would hold up by it's self
125-150 taps
Smokey Lakes Full pint Hybrid pan
Modified half pint arch
Air over fire
All 3/16 tubing
Southern Ohio
I was at a sugar house in Maine in June where the owner had made a wood form to fit the sides of the arch, cut a sheet of 1/4 x 1/4 galvanized hardware wire for reinforcing, mixed the powered refractory cement, and made a block 1 1/2" thick to replace his firebrick. He had used the arch for 2 seasons and the block was still solid.
Joe
2004- 470 taps on gravity and buckets
2006- 590 taps on gravity and buckets 300 gph RO
2009- 845 taps on vacuum no buckets, 600 gph RO
2010- 925 taps on vacuum new 2 stage vacuum pump
2014- 3045 taps on vacuum, new 1200 gph RO
2015- 3104 taps on vacuum
2017- 3213 taps on vacuum
3' x 10' oil fired evaporator with steamaway