Not Strictly An Oven Question

[blob]

Hi All,

I hope you don't mind me posting, but it seems like your combined knowledge/experiences may be. I'm hoping to build and outdoor fireplace, similar to a conventional indoor fireplace in a house. I understand why you use firebricks in an oven, but do you think they would be required in a fireplace where I am looking to radiate the heat (possibly bbq over it) rather than store and subsequently cook with it? Something similar to this is what I'm aiming for (ins size anyway)



Does anyone have and thoughts on this?

Thanks

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[DuncanM]

Hi Blob,

Are you based in the UK?

Internal fireplaces in the UK use shaped firebricks as the fireplaces are much smaller and doesn't require any faffing around such as this:

It depends how big you want your fire - the bigger you go then I doubt you'd be able to use those as I'm guessing they are generally aimed at a "normal" sized fireplace.

Have you thought about a firepit?

It would give you a much better/open base for cooking on and much easier too.

To answer your question - probably yes right next to the fire, but you won't need the thick bricks we use. You'd only need thinner ones (to protect the other brickwork from the heat) and I think you'd be better off with the insulating bricks rather than those that hold the heat.

I previously wanted an outdoor fireplace, but changed my plans for a firepit.

[blob]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, yes I'm UK based, in the Midlands. I considered a firepit, but don't think it would be making the most of the space we have available. Size wise I aiming for 3 whole bricks across the open space (675mmish) with a depth of 1.5 bricks and a 1.5 brick pillar to either side, so slightly smaller than the picture in my first post, could you point me in the direction of the insulating bricks, would I be looking at something like Thermalite blocks, though not very aesthetically pleasing!

[cannyfradock]

Blob.....hello and welcome to the forum

...What a brilliant idea. Go for it!!!

I agree with Duncan's thoughts that the fire-bricks we use reflect, but also hold the heat. We use a fire-brick with 38-42% alumina content. Perhaps a higher...or is it lower? alumina content would be better for your needs. Liam from http://www.kilnlinings.co.uk./ would be able to advise you on the correct brick to use.

Again you wouldn't need the full depth of a brick....in the picture it looks like a brick has been laid on it's side as apposed to flat i.e..3". If you done this then you would only have to pour loose vermiculite between the fire-brick and your exterior wall for maximum efficiency.

It's a lot more work, but I would also advise a grill to be built on the side of your fire-place....and not above. This way you have both functioning at the same time.

Terry