Firebricks

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coalloser
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Post by coalloser » Fri. Jan. 02, 2009 12:06 pm

How do you know when and how often to replace your firebricks?

 
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Devil505
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Post by Devil505 » Fri. Jan. 02, 2009 12:30 pm

coalloser wrote:How do you know when and how often to replace your firebricks?
Here's the schedule I use:

NEVER!

(alright...alright....maybe once every 10,000 years) :lol:

Seriously, I've never heard of a need to ever replace them if not missing.

Edit: Speaking of firebricks, I added another full layer of firebrick to my TLC2000 last year & it makes loading allot easier (no more cleaning coals off the top of the firebrick) & allows me to get a bit more coal in the stove by banking towards the back too, for longer burns.

 
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JB Sparks
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Post by JB Sparks » Fri. Jan. 02, 2009 12:55 pm

Hey Devil, how's it going, haven't talked to you in a while.

Question for ya, how are you holding that extra layer of firebrick in place? Been thinking about doing the same thing.

Do you remember that restricker block I made for the shaker? Well, I took it out and learned to shake properly and have had no trouble since. If a piece of coal jams the grate I just use the poker to find it and clear it.

Have a happy new year, hope all is well.

JB


 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Fri. Jan. 02, 2009 1:01 pm

coalloser wrote:How do you know when and how often to replace your firebricks?
When they break and start to fall out. I have a V shaped firebox on my hand fired boiler. The ones that lay at an angle in the V rarely break, maybe 3 in 15 years. The ones at the front and back that are vertical need changing about once a year as the grate hits them when shaking and they break up in pieces allowing burning coal to get to the steel. If you have a broken one and it doesn't move or is staying in place reasonably whole, don't worry about it until the unit is down for a cleaning. They just insulate the steel from the intense heat, as long as they remain in place they are doing their job. That said, it depends on the unit's design and how hard it is run how long they will last.

 
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Devil505
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Post by Devil505 » Fri. Jan. 02, 2009 2:22 pm

JB Sparks wrote:Question for ya, how are you holding that extra layer of firebrick in place? Been thinking about doing the same thing.
I've attached a pic but it's pretty washed out. :(

I just bought 4 additional bricks &:
1. placed 2 of them on the back bricks
2. Cut the 2 side bricks down to size for the sides with a masonry blade on my chop saw
3. Added the scraps to fill in the back wall & laid a piece of angle iron (from H. Depot) across the back bricks in such a way that the side bricks hold them in place.

(Makes top loading easier/neater, allows you to bank more coal in & prevents coal scraps from wedging behind the bricks. If you look at the pic below, I have coal banked almost 1/2 way up the new layer of brick in back)

Happy New Year to you too!

Attachments

001.JPG
.JPG | 71KB | 001.JPG
Last edited by Devil505 on Fri. Jan. 02, 2009 2:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.

 
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JB Sparks
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Post by JB Sparks » Fri. Jan. 02, 2009 2:36 pm

That otta do it, good job.


 
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Freddy
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Post by Freddy » Fri. Jan. 02, 2009 3:45 pm

If they ain't busted, don't fix 'em!

 
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SuperBeetle
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Post by SuperBeetle » Fri. Jan. 02, 2009 3:53 pm

I replace them when they "crumble". The new ones crack pretty quick and I don't worry about that. I have only had to replace 4 of them in 15+ years in my Harman Mark II.

 
Gary L
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Post by Gary L » Fri. Jan. 02, 2009 9:58 pm

This might be a good time and way past due!

**Broken Image Link(s) Removed**

Gary

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