Source for Insulating Firebricks

dmprantz · 06-12-2009, 04:54 PM

Does any one know of a good source for insulating firebricks? Looking for ones that are food safe first and foremost. Effective, inexpensive, and light are a bonus too. IFB seems to have a lot of options, but I'm not sure which if any of those are going to leach toxic or noxious fumes into my food. Any other ideas for inside the pit insulation?

Thanks,

dmp

Meat Burner · 06-12-2009, 05:18 PM

Your local brick store (building materials) or fireplace store might be a good source. Inexpensive may be a problem but if you don't need many, try one of those places. Good luck.

Redwingsfn31 · 06-12-2009, 07:37 PM

I got mine at Menards. $9.99 for a box of 10.

Kevin · 06-12-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redwingsfn31

I got mine at Menards. $9.99 for a box of 10.

Yep, Wrap them with aluminum hd foil for easy cleanup.

McClung · 06-12-2009, 08:33 PM

I got the ones for the BSKD at Lowes, out in the garden section, waaaaaay up high on a storage rack was 1 pallet of them. Had to cut them in half.

dmprantz · 06-12-2009, 10:07 PM

I'll check out Lowe's tomorow. No Menards close by anymore I don't think. Just to be sure, are y'all talking about insulating firebrick? those tend to me much lighter and insulate rather than absorb heat.

dmp

Redwingsfn31 · 06-12-2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmprantz

I'll check out Lowe's tomorow. No Menards close by anymore I don't think. Just to be sure, are y'all talking about insulating firebrick? those tend to me much lighter and insulate rather than absorb heat.

dmp

Here is what I have. I guess they came in a six pack, not 10.

http://www.vogelzang.com/MiscAcc/fb1-firebricks.htm

swamprb · 06-12-2009, 10:21 PM

Ace Hardware.

dmprantz · 06-12-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redwingsfn31

Here is what I have. I guess they came in a six pack, not 10.

http://www.vogelzang.com/MiscAcc/fb1-firebricks.htm

I've got a box of those too, but I was under the impression that they are design to absorb heat, not insulate against it.

dmp

Redwingsfn31 · 06-12-2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmprantz

I've got a box of those too, but I was under the impression that they are design to absorb heat, not insulate against it.

dmp

Thats what I wanted. Like a pizza stone in an oven. They will absorb the heat, hold it in and help to regulate the temp in the smoker.

Saiko · 06-12-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmprantz

I've got a box of those too, but I was under the impression that they are design to absorb heat, not insulate against it.

I think the OP was talking more about a heat sink application than an insulation application since he mentions it is for "inside the pit". Insulation would be more like something outside the smoking chamber to protect it from cold and wind. So technically you are right, but my guess is he is looking for heat absorbition.

dmprantz · 06-12-2009, 11:08 PM

If I recall correctly, I was the OP, and I was specifically asking for insulation in the pit, not a heat sink. Thanks RedWingsFan, I'm just looking for something else. Heat absorption/heat sink is one way to go, and makes sense if you're trying to regulate and even out the heat inside the pit. Just like thick metal though, it takes more fuel to raise the temperature of that heat sink and then to keep it there. Insulating fire bricks, it appears to me, would still allow the heat to be even, but would not require as much fuel to get and keep it there. Compare a "traditional" 1/4" steel offset to a more modern insulated box like BWS, SW, or even FEC. Those pits are insulated and manage to keep a regulated temp still.

dmp

dmprantz · 06-12-2009, 11:13 PM

btw, those are too thick for my application anyway:( Looks like I may be calling IFB next week and asking them about food safety. Any one know if Aluminum Oxide, Silicone Dioxide, or Iron Oxide leach? They all sound safe to me...Aluminum, sand, and cast iron/rust. Have to see what else is in them. I think it's the silica that insulates them.

dmp

BigAl · 06-12-2009, 11:26 PM

Look in your yellow pages for Brick or Brick Yards call and ask if they sell firebricks. "Slats" are 4 by 9 inch and about 1.5 inches thick should cost about $1.25 each. In Denver, only one Brick Yard had them.

McClung · 06-13-2009, 01:29 AM

They cut really easily with a masonry blade and throw up A LOT of dust. I put them in a BSKD to insulate but only got two burns in it before I got the Marshall and sold the BSKD so I cant really say as to how they worked.

Swamprb got some for his Bandera from Ace and they were thin so no cutting

06-12-2009, 04:54 PM	#1
dmprantz is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-11-08 Location: Nashville	Source for Insulating Firebricks Does any one know of a good source for insulating firebricks? Looking for ones that are food safe first and foremost. Effective, inexpensive, and light are a bonus too. IFB seems to have a lot of options, but I'm not sure which if any of those are going to leach toxic or noxious fumes into my food. Any other ideas for inside the pit insulation? Thanks, dmp __________________

06-12-2009, 05:18 PM	#2
Meat Burner Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-22-07 Location: Springfield, MO	Your local brick store (building materials) or fireplace store might be a good source. Inexpensive may be a problem but if you don't need many, try one of those places. Good luck. __________________ my avatar swiped fatties from the plate....look how sorry he is. ________ Meat. NB Bandera with mods Weber 22 .5" x 2, 26.75" x 1 UDS x 3 KCBS CBJ Created "The Great Spam Revelation of 2011." www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111155

06-12-2009, 08:33 PM	#5
McClung is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-19-08 Location: Edgewood, WA	I got the ones for the BSKD at Lowes, out in the garden section, waaaaaay up high on a storage rack was 1 pallet of them. Had to cut them in half. __________________ [B][FONT=Comic Sans MS]Tim[/FONT][/B] [B][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1]The Good One Model 30/24P UDS Smoke and Thistle Competition Barbecue Team 1Lazy1 Brand, A Texas Original Lifetime member Displaced Texans [/SIZE] [I]THE SPICY FAIRY ROCKS![/I] [/FONT][/B]

06-12-2009, 10:07 PM	#6
dmprantz is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-11-08 Location: Nashville	I'll check out Lowe's tomorow. No Menards close by anymore I don't think. Just to be sure, are y'all talking about insulating firebrick? those tend to me much lighter and insulate rather than absorb heat. dmp __________________

06-12-2009, 10:21 PM	#8
swamprb somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 10-27-06 Location: Bothell WA	Ace Hardware. __________________ Brian - Left Hand Smoke BBQ PNWBA 2010 Team of the Year BGE's/WSM's/Pellet Pro WSM/BWS Gater/BDS Clones/Cookshack 008/Weber Performer w EZ-Que/Cajun Bandit/Rib-O-Lator Test Pilot/La Caja China/BBQ Guru/Weber 1000 RK Drum Coffee Roaster Follow Left Hand Smoke on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/pages/Left-H...462391?sk=wall KCBS CBJ/PNWBA CBJ www.pnwba.com

06-12-2009, 07:37 PM	#3
Redwingsfn31 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 04-13-08 Location: Troy, Ohio	I got mine at Menards. $9.99 for a box of 10.

06-12-2009, 11:08 PM	#12
dmprantz is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-11-08 Location: Nashville	If I recall correctly, I was the OP, and I was specifically asking for insulation in the pit, not a heat sink. Thanks RedWingsFan, I'm just looking for something else. Heat absorption/heat sink is one way to go, and makes sense if you're trying to regulate and even out the heat inside the pit. Just like thick metal though, it takes more fuel to raise the temperature of that heat sink and then to keep it there. Insulating fire bricks, it appears to me, would still allow the heat to be even, but would not require as much fuel to get and keep it there. Compare a "traditional" 1/4" steel offset to a more modern insulated box like BWS, SW, or even FEC. Those pits are insulated and manage to keep a regulated temp still. dmp __________________

06-12-2009, 11:13 PM	#13
dmprantz is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-11-08 Location: Nashville	btw, those are too thick for my application anyway:( Looks like I may be calling IFB next week and asking them about food safety. Any one know if Aluminum Oxide, Silicone Dioxide, or Iron Oxide leach? They all sound safe to me...Aluminum, sand, and cast iron/rust. Have to see what else is in them. I think it's the silica that insulates them. dmp __________________

06-13-2009, 01:29 AM	#15
McClung is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-19-08 Location: Edgewood, WA	They cut really easily with a masonry blade and throw up A LOT of dust. I put them in a BSKD to insulate but only got two burns in it before I got the Marshall and sold the BSKD so I cant really say as to how they worked. Swamprb got some for his Bandera from Ace and they were thin so no cutting __________________ [B][FONT=Comic Sans MS]Tim[/FONT][/B] [B][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=1]The Good One Model 30/24P UDS Smoke and Thistle Competition Barbecue Team 1Lazy1 Brand, A Texas Original Lifetime member Displaced Texans [/SIZE] [I]THE SPICY FAIRY ROCKS![/I] [/FONT][/B]