Okay, here’s my blog post about replacing firebricks in my wood stove:
So, the other day I was doing my usual check-up on the wood stove, and I noticed a couple of the firebricks were cracked. Not good! Letting that go can mess up the stove’s efficiency and even become a safety hazard. Time for a little DIY project!
Getting Started
First things first, I made sure the stove was completely cold. No way was I going to mess with it while it was hot. I had a pot of coffee while waiting the stove get cold.
Then, I gathered my tools. I needed:
- A good pair of work gloves, because those bricks can be rough.
- A shop vacuum.
- A small pry bar (a sturdy flathead screwdriver works too).
- A wire brush.
- And of course, the replacement firebricks.
I measured the old bricks to make sure I got the right size. My local hardware store had a bunch, so it was easy to find a match.
Out with the Old
I put on my gloves and got to work. I used the shop vac to clean out any loose ash and debris around the bricks. This made it easier to see what I was doing and kept things tidy.
Next, I took the pry bar (or screwdriver, in a pinch) and gently worked it under the edge of a cracked brick. I wiggled it a bit and applied some careful pressure. The key here is to be patient. You don’t want to force anything and damage the surrounding bricks or the stove itself. I got that!
Once I got a brick loose, I carefully lifted it out. Some of them were really stuck in there, so I had to repeat the prying process a few times. I just took my time and worked my way around.
After all the old bricks were out, I used the wire brush to scrub the inside of the stove where the bricks had been. This removed any remaining bits of ash or mortar, giving the new bricks a nice, clean surface to sit on.
In with the New
This part was pretty straightforward. I placed the new firebricks into the stove, making sure they fit snugly against the back and sides. I followed the same pattern as the old bricks, so it was like putting together a simple puzzle.
I made sure everything was level and there weren’t any big gaps. If a brick was a little too big, I could’ve carefully chipped away at it with a hammer and chisel, but luckily, mine all fit perfectly.
All Done!
And that’s it! I stood back and admired my handiwork. The stove looked much better, and I knew it would be running more efficiently and safely. I vacuumed up any remaining dust, and I was good to go.
It’s a pretty simple job, really. As long as you take your time and are careful, you can easily replace firebricks yourself. Saves you a bit of money and gives you that satisfying feeling of a job well done!
