Firebrick help, please!

Chuckie_T

I need to get some firebricks for my Leg BGE to be able to raise my grid to accommodate some cooks.  I also read that raising the grid is needed for pizza cooks with the plate-setter to get the pie higher up in the dome.

Where do I buy firebricks?  Is there a certain brand or type I need to focus on?  Do I need them specially cut for the BGE?  I am assuming I should get 3 bricks for the BGE.  Also, are the indentations at the top of the fire ring there to set the legs of the plate-setter on top of?  

As you can read, I am a novice in this area and any help is appreciated.

Hunter1881

Depending on where you live check your local hardware store for firebricks. Or if you have a store that deals in fireplaces. My lowes and Home Depot don't sell them but wouldn't hurt to check. I can't tell u if there is a certain type or not.

Jeremiah

Stainless steel bolts are much easier to find. 

Jeepster47

I bought my firebricks from Menards ... ask for them, 'cuz they're not where you'd expect them to be ... well, at least where I expected them to be.  They come six to a box.  If you have brick cutting equipment, it's nice to cut a couple in half.

The plate setter can fit down into those notches. Or, you can rotate the plate setter up out of the notches to get an extra inch of height ... that's usually how my is configured.

Chuckie_T

Thanks so much!  

gdenby

I bought my fire brick splits from a masonry contractor store. If I recall correctly, .99 apiece some years ago. Place 'em on edge on the fire ring to raise the grate.

Jeepster47

Hunter1881 said:

Depending on where you live check your local hardware store for firebricks. Or if you have a store that deals in fireplaces. My lowes and Home Depot don't sell them but wouldn't hurt to check. I can't tell u if there is a certain type or not.

That's funny ... so others have trouble finding them.  HD does carry them, but very expensive: http://www.homedepot.com/p/US-Stove-Firebrick-Universal-Fit-6-Pack-FBP6E/206137338  Couldn't find them on the websire at Lowes.

While looking, found the Menards listing: http://www.homedepot.com/p/US-Stove-Firebrick-Universal-Fit-6-Pack-FBP6E/206137338 ... much more reasonable.

theyolksonyou

You can order from Ace online and pick up in store. 

berndcrisp

Should a fire brick tip and fall it could crack/break the fire ring or worse. Use the SS bolts as Jeremiah suggests.

Skiddymarker

berndcrisp said:

Should a fire brick tip and fall it could crack/break the fire ring or worse. Use the SS bolts as Jeremiah suggests.

Stainless is not required, good old cold rolled steel works just fine - hell, if you are using a Rutland, use galvanized, what's a little zinc outgassing. 
Fire bricks work really well if they are trimmed to lie length wise on the fire ring, solid as a rock. Make sure the grid is still within the base to minimize lateral movement. 

marysvilleegger

I got mine from Tractor Supply. I'm in Ohio.  

Jeepster47

Another idea is to buy a cheap 18" diameter Weber grill to put down on the fire ring, then the bricks, then your OEM grill.  Then there is no chance of a firebrick falling into the abyss.

Don't let those *&%* Canadians fool with you ... galvanized is not a good choice.  Plain steel or stainless is the way to go for a redneck raised grid.

Yes, I said cut the bricks in half, but actually it works better to cut a 1" piece out of the middle of a brick.  That yields two bricks 4" by 4.5" ... more versatile than square.  The other thing I did was make the cut at a slight angle through the thickness of the brick ... that made it lead backwards slightly on the fire ring and lock in solidly.

revolver1

Clay flower pots have been used.  

Carolina Q

If you decide to use bricks, any bricks will do. They fire bricks in a kiln, ya know. That gets a damn site hotter than your egg will.

Jeepster47

Carolina Q is correct, normal bricks are fired to about 1750 degrees F.  I have several that I've used with no problems. 

The neat thing about fire bricks (half bricks) is that they are only 1.5 inches thick.  The 4.5 inches wide gives a good lift height above the felt line.  And if you cut the 9 inch length down to two 4 inch lengths, then that's good to bring the grill up to the felt line.

THEBuckeye

I used leftover bricks from building my house in 1997. They worked fine. 

Then I bought a PS Woo2 for a raised grate. Easier but not as cool as bricks.

Chubbs

Jeremiah said:

Stainless steel bolts are much easier to find. 

So are beer cans

Jeremiah

Chubbs said:

Jeremiah said:

Stainless steel bolts are much easier to find. 

So are beer cans

Those are a lot more plentiful here. Pottsville's finest.  

pescadorzih

Jeremiah said:

Chubbs said:

Jeremiah said:

Stainless steel bolts are much easier to find. 

So are beer cans

Those are a lot more plentiful here. Pottsville's finest.  

From Tampa. Haven't tried any down south to see if it is any different.

DaveRichardson

Got my firebricks from Northern Tool and Supply a year ago in the middle of summer....  Firebricks, in the summer, in Georgia....  NOT east to find.  Yeah, I coulda ordered from Ace and had them shipped to the store, but I've had bad luck with stuff breaking in shipment!

Rosco902

Jeepster47 said:

Another idea is to buy a cheap 18" diameter Weber grill to put down on the fire ring, then the bricks, then your OEM grill.  Then there is no chance of a firebrick falling into the abyss.

Don't let those *&%* Canadians fool with you ... galvanized is not a good choice.  Plain steel or stainless is the way to go for a redneck raised grid.

Yes, I said cut the bricks in half, but actually it works better to cut a 1" piece out of the middle of a brick.  That yields two bricks 4" by 4.5" ... more versatile than square.  The other thing I did was make the cut at a slight angle through the thickness of the brick ... that made it lead backwards slightly on the fire ring and lock in solidly.

Great idea! Called my local brick place and they sell them for a little under $4 a brick. two cut in half should do perfectly.