Alright, let’s talk about where to find fire bricks. I needed some for a project I was working on – a little DIY fire pit in my backyard. I thought, “How hard can it be to find some fire bricks, right?” Well, let me tell you, it turned into a bit of an adventure.
First, I started with the obvious: the big-box home improvement stores. I figured they’d have everything. I walked in, found an employee, and asked about fire bricks. The guy looked at me like I had two heads. “Fire bricks?” he said, “What are those?” So that was a dead end. They had regular bricks, sure, but nothing that could withstand the heat I needed.
Next, I tried a few local hardware stores. Smaller shops, you know, the kind that have been around forever. I thought maybe they’d have some specialized stuff. I drove to a couple of places, asked around, but no luck. One old-timer told me, “Son, we used to carry those, but not anymore. You might have to order them online.”
- Big-box stores: Nope.
- Local hardware stores: Still nope.
So, online I went. I started searching, and found a few websites that sold refractory materials. I learned that there are different types of fire bricks, like high-density ones and insulating ones. Then there’s stuff like refractory cement – Mizzou and Kast-o-lite, they call them. Fancy names, right? This Mizzou stuff is apparently like a super tough firebrick, and Kast-o-lite is more like a soft firebrick, but it insulates well and can handle flux. They are also more durable than fire bricks.
I also found out that most fire bricks are heavy, heavier than regular bricks, and usually, they’ve got a name or number stamped on them. They’re often a yellowish-white color, but I guess they can get stained red from the heat over time. These refractory fire bricks are not only suitable for fire pits but also great for pizza ovens and wood stoves. This sounds like a real deal for the money.
Aha Moment
After reading a bunch of stuff, I realized I needed to look for places that specialize in fireplaces, wood stoves, or maybe even kilns. I searched for “fireplace stores near me” and found a couple of options. I called one up, and bingo! They had fire bricks. The guy on the phone actually knew what I was talking about. Finally!
I drove over there, and sure enough, they had a whole stack of fire bricks. They were a bit pricey, but I was just happy to find them. I picked up a pack of six, which was perfect for my fire pit. The guy at the store explained that these bricks were high-density and could handle the heat no problem. He also mentioned that they’re good for the floor of an oven or for the walls, which I thought was pretty cool.
So, that’s my fire brick saga. It took a bit of effort, but I finally found what I needed. If you’re ever looking for fire bricks, skip the big-box stores and head straight for a fireplace or masonry supply place. Or, you can order them online, but make sure you know what kind you need. Trust me, it’ll save you a lot of time and frustration.
