Insulating Fire Bricks

Carolina Q

Has anyone ever used these between their egg and a table? If I understand their properties correctly, they allow virtually none of the heat to be transmitted. If that's the case, you wouldn't need the old green feet or a table nest. Or a patio block. Just a few of these. 

http://www.traditionaloven.com/articles/81/insulating-fire-bricks

Anyone? Anyone?

XC242

Never used them. You might want to call a pottery supply store to ask them if they think these would work underneath an egg. Since it sounds like they aren't very hard or dense I' m curious how well they would hold up under the weight of an Egg. Though there is mention in the article about using them underneath a slab in an oven. 

Tinyfish

XC242 said:

Never used them. You might want to call a pottery supply store to ask them if they think these would work underneath an egg. Since it sounds like they aren't very hard or dense I' m curious how well they would hold up under the weight of an Egg. Though there is mention in the article about using them underneath a slab in an oven. 

You might want to try a fireplace store for info on the insulating firebirks they may know more.

Do you have an issue with the table nest, its simple and effective. 

Carolina Q

Tinyfish said:

Do you have an issue with the table nest, its simple and effective. 

LOL, I don't even have a table! Just read about these bricks in articles about WFOs and it seemed like a great inexpensive solution to setting a hot thing on a piece of wood. 

SGH

They work well for insulating value. I sometimes use them to build a "false convection wall" in the big units. They work extremly well for this purpose. However they are very, very fragile. They will not hold up to any abuse at all. Again for insulating or creating a convection wall they work great.

Tinyfish

@Carolina Q ok got it. In that case the bottom and sides of the firebox in my WFO use the insulating firebricks. That being said I wouldn't know how it would work to protect a wood surface. Maybe you can try a few out and return them if they don't workout.

jtcBoynton

They do have a low heat transfer rate, but it is not zero. Air has even less. The air gap from a table nest will provide much more protection. The owners manual for the kiln in my garage (made with lightweight insulating fire bricks) calls for placement of the kiln at least 18" from any wall.

DMW

SGH said:

They work well for insulating value. I sometimes use them to build a "false convection wall" in the big units. They work extremly well for this purpose. However they are very, very fragile. They will not hold up to any abuse at all. Again for insulating or creating a convection wall they work great.

Ok, I have lots to learn from you during Salado. Such as "what is a convection wall and when would you use it?"...

Carolina Q

Ok, I was planning to stick with my BGE nest and separate side table anyway. On a stone patio to boot. No fire worries. Just thought I'd throw it out there to see if anyone had an opinion. 

SGH

DMW said:

Ok, I have lots to learn from you during Salado. 

Brother D, because you are one of my favorites on the forum, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Most of the stuff I say on here, I make it up as I go
Just kidding brother, it will be a true honor to get to talk to you. Been wanting to meet you for quite sometime. I feel that you can offer a lot of useful tips and advice. Your cooks are always impressive to say the least.

twlangan

I have my large sitting on the green feet, sitting on fire bricks, which sit on 1X4's that make up the bottom bench of my table. Fire bricks are not totally heat proof - but do the job keeping the heat low enough to not have to worry about a fire, IMO. I have felt the underside of the 1X4's after differing types of cooks. I do not feel anything after low and slow cooks, but have felt some warmth after extended very high heat pizza cooks. If you cranked your Egg up very hot and cooked for considerable time, you might need to keep an eye on things, but most cooks I believe you would be fine.

Keep in mind that I am using the green feet which keeps the Egg up off the fire bricks so there is not direct contact. As someone already mentioned, air is a great insulator. I would not trust it to sit in direct contact where much heat could be transferred. 

I will have had my large for three years later this month. I have noticed zero degradation of the fire bricks so far. Even if they do start to go bad, they are cheap to replace and easy to slip a new on under the Egg with some assistance.

pgprescott

twlangan said:

I have my large sitting on the green feet, sitting on fire bricks, which sit on 1X4's that make up the bottom bench of my table. Fire bricks are not totally heat proof - but do the job keeping the heat low enough to not have to worry about a fire, IMO. I have felt the underside of the 1X4's after differing types of cooks. I do not feel anything after low and slow cooks, but have felt some warmth after extended very high heat pizza cooks. If you cranked your Egg up very hot and cooked for considerable time, you might need to keep an eye on things, but most cooks I believe you would be fine.

Keep in mind that I am using the green feet which keeps the Egg up off the fire bricks so there is not direct contact. As someone already mentioned, air is a great insulator. I would not trust it to sit in direct contact where much heat could be transferred. 

I will have had my large for three years later this month. I have noticed zero degradation of the fire bricks so far. Even if they do start to go bad, they are cheap to replace and easy to slip a new on under the Egg with some assistance.

I'm sure the fire bricks will be fine, forever. I would however check under the bricks to see if there is any discoloration of the wood. I would not be surprised if there were some discoloration. I hope not. 

Focker

Ripped some split firebricks with my buddy's Dewalt wet saw for the transporter table(small egg).  Between the ceramic feet creating an air gap and the properties of the firebrick, I feel good(safe) using the egg on my truck or picnic tables at the campground.  And the 3/4" Birch under the firebrick has held up great with no signs of damage.  

Also use them to create 2 zone, 3 zone, and rotisserie fires on the kettle.  Lay them on their side overlapping creating a z pattern, no need to cut.  They are so cheap I keep several bricks around for various setups.