Well, y’know, if you’re thinkin’ about heatin’ bricks for a BBQ, you gotta be real careful with the kind o’ bricks you use. Some folks just grab any old brick they got layin’ around, but that ain’t always the best idea. I’ll tell ya, not all bricks are made the same, especially when it comes to holdin’ up to the heat from a good ol’ BBQ fire.
First thing’s first, you can go ahead and use regular bricks, but don’t expect ’em to last long if they’re sittin’ in the heat for too long. The mortar, that’s the stuff that holds the bricks together, gotta be heat-resistant. Regular mortar just ain’t gonna do the trick, I’m tellin’ ya. You need one of them high heat-resistant mortars like the kind Sakrete makes. Now that’s somethin’ that’ll hold up under heat, no problem.
Now, some people don’t wanna spend a fortune on special firebricks, and I get it. Firebricks can be a bit spendy, but there’s other options too. Ceramic tiles, yep, you heard me right. Ceramic tiles work just fine for BBQs. They’re made from clay and other minerals that get baked in a kiln. They can stand up to heat just fine without crackin’ or breakin’. They’re fireproof, so that’s a good thing. They’ll keep the heat steady and won’t crumble away like regular bricks might. I reckon that’s a decent option if you’re on a budget.
Now, don’t be gettin’ any ideas about usin’ concrete bricks. I know they look sturdy, but they’re more trouble than they’re worth when it comes to heat. Concrete, see, it starts to break down when it gets too hot, ’round 500 degrees or so. Ain’t nobody wantin’ pieces of brick fallin’ off into the fire. It’s not so much about health reasons, but more about not wantin’ to ruin your BBQ setup. Portland cement, which is in them concrete bricks, just don’t handle the heat right.
If you’re still unsure about what kind of bricks to use for your BBQ, let me tell ya, firebricks are still your best bet. They’re made to deal with high heat. They got silica and other materials in ’em that let ’em withstand high temperatures without breakin’ or crackin’ apart. Don’t go cheap if you really wanna have a BBQ that lasts and cooks right.
Another thing to think about is the shape of the bricks. Some folks like them universal reversible back bricks. These things fit most grates, so you don’t have to worry too much about what kind of grill or BBQ setup you’ve got. A good fire brick like that can help you save on fuel too, keepin’ the heat where it’s needed without wastin’ energy. Now that’s a smart choice, if you ask me.
So, to wrap it all up, when you’re heatin’ bricks for your BBQ, make sure you pick the right kind. Regular bricks can work if you’re careful with the mortar, but firebricks, ceramic tiles, and high heat mortars are always gonna give ya the best results. Concrete bricks? Best leave them to the driveway. You don’t need no surprises when you’re tryin’ to cook up a good meal out there.
Tags:[BBQ bricks, heat resistant mortar, firebrick alternatives, ceramic tiles BBQ, high heat bricks, BBQ setup, firebrick, best BBQ bricks]