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Thread: Redoing the fire box

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
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    MN
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    Default Redoing the fire box

    So I'm going to redoing my fire box, for durability is refractory cement more durable than firebrick?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
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    Nashville, MI
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    I used refractory cement with my firebrick, just like laying block.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    Southern Ohio
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    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
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    Southern Ohio

  4. #4
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    MN
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    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.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Peoria, IL
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    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

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  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    Southern Ohio
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    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

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Essex VT
    Posts
    402

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    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
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    3' x 10' oil fired evaporator with steamaway

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