So, the other day I noticed a couple of the firebricks in my wood burner were looking pretty worse for wear. You know, cracked, crumbling, just generally not doing their job anymore. Time to replace them, I figured. It’s one of those things you put off, but honestly, it needed doing.
First things first, I took out all the old bricks. Some of them were really wedged in there, but with a bit of wiggling and a few gentle taps, they all came out. I laid them out on the floor to get a good look and to use them as a template for the new ones.
I went down to the local hardware store, the one with the grumpy old guy behind the counter who always seems to know what he’s talking about. I showed him the measurements – 9″ x 4.5″ x 1.25″ by the way, standard size, apparently, and he pointed me to a stack of new firebricks. I picked up a pack of six, just to have a couple extra on hand.
Now, some of the new bricks needed a bit of trimming to fit perfectly. I don’t have a fancy grinder, so I just used a regular old saw. They’re pretty easy to cut, so it wasn’t a big deal. A little dusty, though. I made sure to wear a mask and some safety glasses.
- Measured the old bricks.
- Bought new firebricks.
- Cut some to fit as needed.
- Slotted the new ones in.
Once I had all the bricks the right size, I started slotting them into the wood burner. It was a bit like a jigsaw puzzle, but not too complicated. I made sure they were all nice and snug, no gaps or anything. You don’t want any heat escaping where it shouldn’t.
And that’s it! Job done. The wood burner looks a whole lot better, and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be more efficient now. It’s always satisfying to do these little DIY jobs around the house. Plus, I saved myself a few bucks by not calling in a professional. Although, to be fair, if you’re not comfortable doing this sort of thing yourself, it’s always best to get someone who knows what they’re doing. No point risking a fire, right?
I’m going to keep an eye on these new bricks. If they ever get to the point where they’re falling apart again, I’ll know it’s time for another replacement. But for now, I’m happy. Hopefully, they’ll last a good while. It’s not a hard job, just a bit fiddly. And hey, if I can do it, anyone can!
My tips
If you notice a single hairline crack, don’t worry too much. But once they start crumbling or if you can see the stove wall behind, get those bricks replaced.
