Alright, so you wanna know where to get them fire bricks, huh? Well, lemme tell ya, it ain’t as easy as pickin’ apples off a tree, but it ain’t rocket science neither. I’ve seen folks use all sorts of things for heat, ya know, but fire bricks, them’s the real deal for keepin’ things hot and safe.
First off, what are these fire bricks anyways? Some folks call ’em refractory bricks, sounds fancy, I know. But it just means they can take a whole lotta heat without crackin’ or fallin’ apart. Now, regular red bricks, them ain’t the same. Fire bricks are heavier, smoother, and they cost more. You get what you pay for, I always say. If you want somethin’ that’ll last, you gotta spend a little extra.
Where to Buy ‘Em
Now, where to find ’em? That’s the big question. Well, you got a few choices, dependin’ on where you live and how much you wanna spend.
- The Big Stores: Places like Home Depot or Lowe’s, they might have some. Not always the best selection, but they’re convenient. You can just go in, grab what you need, and be done with it. But sometimes, them city folk don’t know a fire brick from a hole in the ground, so be careful.
- Online Shops: Ah, the internet. You can find just about anything on there, fire bricks included. Amazon, that’s a big one. They got all sorts of fire bricks, different sizes, different heats. You can even get a whole pack of ’em. Just gotta watch out for that shippin’ fee, sometimes it’ll cost ya more than the bricks themselves.
- Specialty Shops: Now, if you want the good stuff, you gotta go to the specialty shops. Places that sell fireplaces, stoves, or even blacksmithing supplies, they’ll have the real deal. They might cost a bit more, but they’ll last longer and hold up better to the heat. Plus, the folks who work there, they actually know what they’re talkin’ about.
- Second-hand or Salvage Yards: Don’t go turnin’ your nose up at this idea. Sometimes, you can find perfectly good fire bricks at a salvage yard or even a used building supply store. Folks tear down old fireplaces or ovens, and those bricks are still good! Just gotta be careful and check ’em for cracks, but you can save a heap of money this way.
What Kind to Get
Now, not all fire bricks are created equal. Some can handle more heat than others. You see them numbers like 3200F or 2500F? That’s how hot they can get without meltin’ like butter. If you’re buildin’ a pizza oven or a forge, you need the heavy duty ones. If it’s just for a little fire pit in the backyard, you can get away with the cheaper ones.
And size matters too. They come in all shapes and sizes. You gotta figure out how big your fire pit or oven is gonna be, and then buy enough bricks to fit. A little bitty fire pit, maybe you only need 80 bricks. A big ol’ thing, you might need 200 or more. And remember to get some of that special cement stuff, mortar they call it, to stick ’em all together. You don’t want your fire pit fallin’ apart the first time you use it, now do ya?
Other Things to Consider
Some folks, they use somethin’ called soapstone instead of fire bricks. It’s a kinda rock that can handle heat pretty good too. But I ain’t never used it myself, so I can’t say much about it. Stick with what you know, that’s what I always say.
And don’t forget, them fire bricks, they can get stained and ugly lookin’ after a while. But you ain’t gotta worry about that too much, unless you’re one of them fancy folks. They sell stuff to make ’em look pretty again, but it don’t make the fire any hotter, so I don’t bother with it.
So there ya have it, a little somethin’ about where to buy fire bricks. It ain’t hard, just gotta do a little lookin’ around and figure out what you need. And remember, safety first! Don’t go messin’ with fire if you don’t know what you’re doin’. Now go on, get them bricks and build yourself somethin’ nice.
One last thing, if you’re buyin’ online, read them reviews. See what other folks are sayin’ about the bricks. If a whole bunch of people say they’re no good, well, they’re probably no good. Use your common sense, that’s all.
Tags: fire bricks, refractory bricks, fire pit, wood stove, oven, forge, heat resistant, masonry, where to buy, online fire bricks, fire brick prices, fire brick sizes
