Erica & Ernie, Split fire brick for the heat riser for more insulation room???

Erica & Ernie,

I am about to lay the firebrick for the heat riser, have you ever tried split firebrick for more room for more insulation on the outside of the heat riser?

I worry about the thin brick taking the thermal shock as well.

-Dan.

Daniel Truax wrote:Erica & Ernie,

I am about to lay the firebrick for the heat riser, have you ever tried split firebrick for more room for more insulation on the outside of the heat riser?

I worry about the thin brick taking the thermal shock as well.

-Dan.

It's working fine in our living room right now, want us to pop the lid and check for cracks? (Ernie did, there aren't any.)
Thermal shock is the difference in temp from one side to the other, so with good insulation it may even be less intense for a thinner brick.

We used a refractory felt insulation to make it easier to wrap it without dislodging the bricks, but you could do the usual 2" or more of perlite if you are careful setting the container.
The main thing is just getting each course truly level and plumb, the skinny edges aren't as forgiving of, say, pea gravel in the mortar.

-Erica

Thanks for the reply,

Yeah I only got 3 courses laid for the heat riser with the split brick last night. I have 7 layers to get the to top of the drum. It was exhausting, took so much longer than laying up the rest, trying to keep it all level, plumb and square.

And it was only 4 bricks a course!

I am planning on surrounding it with stonewool or rockwool when I get a good outside container for the heat riser.

-Dan.

Ernie, I get lots of used firebrick through my work. Are sound used brick ok for some or all situations ?

Also,I get ceramic flues often and cast iron clean outs. I usually get $10 for clean outs. Should I stockpile a bunch and deliver them to one of your B.C. events?

Dale yes on the fire brick, i use lots in the research and in local teaching. yes on the ceramic flue I would like a bunch to do some other experiments on easy ways to make the RMH. the clean outs i think could be fun but i dont need many of them 2 or three.
if you have the space however I would ask you to keep some on hand for your self and as a side business. I can see some folks liking the ornate clean-outs very much. I would also ask you to stockpile the used fire brick, Even if we need to come pick some up and send you customers.

Hi Dale, et al

Good morning. Do you still have fire brick and or ceramic heat riser(s)? I am considering one or the other or both for my first rocket stove. I was going to build the core and riser both with refractory mortar mixed with vermiculite or perlite, but the fire brick might be simpler. I am working on a 6" system. Please me know!

Kevin Prata wrote:Hi Dale, et al

Good morning. Do you still have fire brick and or ceramic heat riser(s)? I am considering one or the other or both for my first rocket stove. I was going to build the core and riser both with refractory mortar mixed with vermiculite or perlite, but the fire brick might be simpler. I am working on a 6" system. Please me know!

from what ive read, your exhaust as you have in this diagram wont work, you need to have a larger bell shaped transference from the drum to the horizontal exhaust.

other than that looks good.

Troy Fairclough wrote:

Kevin Prata wrote:Hi Dale, et al

Good morning. Do you still have fire brick and or ceramic heat riser(s)? I am considering one or the other or both for my first rocket stove. I was going to build the core and riser both with refractory mortar mixed with vermiculite or perlite, but the fire brick might be simpler. I am working on a 6" system. Please me know!

from what ive read, your exhaust as you have in this diagram wont work, you need to have a larger bell shaped transference from the drum to the horizontal exhaust.

other than that looks good.

Hi Troy - Thank you for comment! What do you mean "larger bell shaped transference"?