Fire Brick Confirmation

[dmun]

Are there expansion/contraction considerations regarding build the first course on the floor versus around the floor?

I don't think so. It's the same material at pretty much the same temperature. It should expand and contract at the same rate.

If you do build on top of the floor, do you mortar your first course to the floor bricks, or let that first joint float?

Most people just place the first ring directly on the floor, or the insulating board if that's how they are building, without mortar. Gravity will hold it down, i guarantee it.

[egalecki]

I built my dome on the floor. I didn't want to try to make the cuts to build it around the floor- I didn't have a big saw which cut all the way through the bricks.

Do not mortar the soldier course to the floor. I used newspaper under my soldier course bricks to keep them from sticking. The paper burned away later, no problem.

There's expansion/contraction either way- although I don't know how much. When you're taking this kind of time and expense, safe is better than sorry. I figured that building on the floor and keeping it free with the paper took care of all of it...

[staestc]

Thanks David and Elizabeth, great information to know. I just love this place And I will end up building a much better oven as a result of it!

Travis

[Bandrasco]

This forum is great! I was going to ask about cementing the first course to the floor and 'BAM' the answer is here.

I think that I'm going to start the first course tonight and see where I get. Do I post pics on this thread or should I start a new one?

Thanks everyone!

[staestc]

Personally, I would start a new thread and stick to it throughout your build, at least for the oven part of the build. If you are doing an entire outdoor kitchen I would suggest posting the oven part of that build here in a single thread, then posting the over all kitchen design and guild down in outdoor kitchens.

I know from my own experience trying to figure out what to do, that it is way nicer in my opinion, to have a complete build in a single thread. You get to see the process and the progress of the build, as well as the decision or problem areas and the feedback from the forum in a nice time sequenced fashion, which I just love to see

Just my two bits,
Travis

[dmun]

Starting your own thread is much better than piggybacking on someone else's. Readers will know at a glance who's project is being discussed. You will also be able to give the web address of your thread to anyone curious about your project.

[Bandrasco]

Thank you all!

When I came home from work today I just didn't have it in me to set the first course. It gets way too dark, way too early, and it's way too cold! It's a bone chilling 47 degrees out and I live in Freakin Tampa Forida! Sorry; I left that crap back in Chicago and don't like it when it gets like this.

I'll start a new thread showing my every step so far; it's pretty amazing to see what's happened in just 5 (partial) build days.

Thanks again everyone; Just think how lucky we are to have the web. Heck, back in the day you would actually have to pick up the phone and call someone who knew something about this... Maybe thats why it stayed to a more regional skill than a global one.

Tomorrow will be the start of BA's Dome!

[bbell]

This is all great stuff. Lucky to find it before i start.