Okay, so the other day I was looking at my wood stove and thinking, “Man, these fire bricks are looking rough.” Some were cracked, a couple were crumbling… it was time for a change. I’ve had this stove for a few years now, and this was my first time really diving into replacing the bricks, so I figured I’d document the whole process.
Getting Started
First things first, I needed to figure out what kind of fire bricks I needed. I measured the old ones – width, length, thickness – and jotted it all down. Important: Don’t skip this step! Getting the wrong size is a pain.
Then, it was off to the hardware store. There were a few different options, but I just went with the standard-looking fire bricks that matched the size of my old ones. Nothing fancy.
Out with the Old
Back home, I let the stove cool down completely. Safety first, folks! Once it was cool, I started pulling out the old bricks. Some were so far gone that they practically fell apart in my hands. I used a small pry bar to loosen the ones that were stuck, and a shop vac to suck up all the dust and debris. Make sure to wear some gloves and a mask–the dust is super gross.
In with the New
Putting the new bricks in was surprisingly easy. It was like a little puzzle. I started with the back wall, then did the sides, and finally the bottom. They all just kind of slotted into place. I made sure they were snug, but I didn’t force anything.
The Finished Product
Once all the new bricks were in, I stood back and admired my handiwork. It looked so much better! And more importantly, I knew the stove would be more efficient and safer with the new bricks in place.
- Let the stove cool down completely before you do anything.
- Measure your current bricks before heading to the store.
- Wear gloves and a dust mask.
- Take your time with the puzzle brick placement.
The whole process took me maybe an hour, tops, and it was totally worth it. My stove is ready for another season of keeping us warm!
