Okay, so the other day I noticed my wood stove was looking a little worse for wear. Specifically, the fire bricks lining the inside were cracked and crumbling. Time for a replacement! This is my journey of replacing those suckers.
Getting Started
First things first, I needed to figure out what kind of bricks I needed. I have a US Stove, so I knew I needed ones that fit that brand. A quick measurement of the old bricks gave me the dimensions I needed.
Gathering Supplies
With the measurements in hand, I went out and picked up a new set of fire bricks. While I was at it, I grabbed some work gloves – gotta protect these hands! I also made sure I had a good, stiff brush and a shop vac handy for cleanup.
Out with the Old
Safety first! I made sure the stove was completely cool. No hot ashes or lingering embers. Then, I put on my gloves and got to work removing the old, damaged bricks. Some were easy to lift out, others were stubborn and needed a little prying. It’s kind of like a puzzle, figuring out the order to take them out without breaking any more than they already were.
- Gloves on!
- Check stove temp – COOL!
- Start removing old bricks.
Cleaning Up
Once all the old bricks were out, it was time for a good cleaning. I used the stiff brush to scrub away any loose ash and debris stuck to the inside of the stove. Then, I fired up the shop vac to suck up all the dust and smaller bits. I wanted a nice, clean surface for the new bricks to sit on.
In with the New
Now for the fun part – putting in the new bricks! I carefully placed them in the stove, following the pattern of the old ones. It’s pretty straightforward, like putting together a very simple, heavy puzzle. They just sit there, no mortar or anything needed.
- Carefully arrange bricks.
- Follow old brick pattern.
- No mortar! Just place them in.
The Finished Product
And that’s it! With the new fire bricks in place, my stove is ready to go for another season of cozy fires. It’s a pretty simple DIY project, and honestly, it felt good to get my hands dirty and fix something myself. Plus, I saved some money by doing it myself instead of calling a repairman.
My total take time is about 2 hours.
