Alright, let’s talk about fire brick mortar, you know, the stuff you use to stick them fire bricks together. Don’t go thinkin’ it’s just any old mud, though. This here is special stuff, gotta handle the heat, see?
First off, you got this fireclay. Sounds fancy, but it’s just dirt that can take a lotta heat. They mix it with other things, like that cement stuff they use for sidewalks, and some sand, and even that lime stuff farmers use. Makes it tougher than regular mud, way tougher, gotta be if it’s gonna hold up in a fire.
Now, there’s different kinds of fire bricks, too. Some are just plain ol’ bricks that can take the heat, they call ’em refractory bricks, sounds like somethin’ from outer space, don’t it? But they’re just bricks, real tough bricks though, that can stand up to fire like nothin’ else. Some of them can even take heat hotter than anything you’ve ever seen, hotter than the sun, practically. Why you need ’em? Well, them bricks, they keep the heat in. You don’t want all that heat leakin’ out, do ya? Waste of good fire, that’d be.
- You gotta use the right stuff to stick ’em together, too. Can’t just use any old mud for that. It’s gotta be that refractory cement stuff, they call it.
- This cement stuff, it’s like regular cement, but way tougher, can take a whole lot more heat without crackin’ or fallin’ apart.
- And it sets up real quick, too, faster than you can say “Jack Robinson.” No time for messin’ around.
So, you got your fire bricks and your special mud, the refractory cement. You mix that cement up with water, just like you’d do with regular cement, but you gotta be quick about it, like I said, it sets up fast. Then you slap it on them bricks and stick ’em together. Make sure you get it right the first time, ’cause once that stuff sets, it ain’t movin’.
Some of that cement stuff, you can even pour it into molds. Say you got a funny-shaped space you gotta fill in around your fire bricks, you just pour that stuff in there and let it harden. It’ll fill up all the cracks and holes, keep the heat in where it belongs.
They make this cement stuff so it don’t rot or crack, even if it gets wet. That’s important, you know, ’cause sometimes things get damp, and you don’t want your firebox fallin’ apart just ’cause it rained a little.
And there’s different brands of this cement stuff, too. Just like there’s different brands of everything else, I reckon. Some set up faster than others, some are stronger, some are just plain easier to work with. You gotta figure out what’s best for your job. But they all do pretty much the same thing, keep them fire bricks together and keep the heat in.
There’s one brand called Rutland, they say it sets up real fast. Then there’s another one called Red Devil, seems like a mean name for cement, don’t it? But they say it’s good stuff, real high quality. And there’s this Cleanburn stuff, too. Pre-mixed, they say, so you don’t have to do nothin’ but add water. Sounds easy enough, even for an old woman like me.
So, that’s the long and short of it. Fire brick mortar ain’t just mud, it’s special stuff made to hold up to fire and keep the heat where it belongs. You gotta use the right bricks, the right cement, and you gotta work fast. But if you do it right, you’ll have a firebox that’ll last for years and years. And that’s what matters, ain’t it?
Remember, this ain’t no place for cutting corners. You want a good, hot fire, one that stays where it should, then you got to do things right. Use the right stuff, follow the instructions, and you’ll be golden. You don’t, well, you’ll find yourself rebuilding the whole thing sooner rather than later.
Tags: [fire brick, refractory brick, refractory cement, fireclay, mortar, high temperature, heat resistant, furnace, kiln, oven]
