Firebrick & Grade of Firebrick

Hello List!

I'm a little off season with this question but if I wait till Sept, no one will be around to answer it.':lol:'

Is it necessary to change out firebrick after one season of hard use? My unit uses the 1.25" x 4.5" x 9" brick and it is quite fragile and becomes very brittle with continuous use. I replaced all 14 pieces of the brick in Oct. 06. I'd say 50% are cracked now and a few are cracked in multiple spots so I will be replacing once again, but is it necessary?

Also, did you know there are a few different grades of firebrick? Maybe I have been using low grade? I do not know of a supplier who carries the highest grade or if it is even necessary. Does anyone understand grades of brick?

yes, there are many grades and types of firebrick; i'm not sure of the size of your brick, but if you are lucky, locate an old powerplant, they will usually have some old high-duty insulative firebrick out back somewhere and may let you take some. generally the size is roughly 3x5x9". this brick will not crack, disintigrate etc. and will increase combustion efficiency compared to the junk brick used in most homeowner applications. however if you have an epa wood stove, many of the secondary burn features require a brick that insulates even more than the type I mentioned above. firebrick is much more complicated than that, but suffice it to say that a "high-duty" brick like that from a powerplant will last longer than your stove, vs. the junk that came in it.

on edit, I realize that I didn't read very carefully at all; you mentioned the size of your firebrick

HEY cap try http://www.glengerybrick.com they have a plant in shoemakersville they make all kinds let me know how you make out talk to you later.

If he used soapstone instead of fire brick though more expensive than fire brick I think it would last longer. Any thoughts on this? Here is a link to suppliers of both. Just click the "dealers". http://www.rumford.com/store/firebrick.html

get some silicon carbide brick. once and done. try lehigh valley refractories in allentown and tell them the size or get someone to cut it to your requirements. it is salty but well worth it in the long run.