Bricks, I need some insight

[CarbojSC]

I have read quite a few posts here and looked at other sites also. My question lies in the bricks, I have the chance to get over 1000 red bricks for free as long as I load and carry. The possible problem is these bricks have 3 holes in them and I am assuming that they will not be sufficent for use as a main component of the oven. I know I can use them to finish the oven but not anywhere heat might transfer. Am I correct?

[RTflorida]

you are correct, your best bet is to use them as "window dressing" for the finished look

RT

[cobblerdave]

1000 bricks sounds like a great stand to me.......


Regards Dave

[Mike D]

those bricks are not for the oven but for the outside of the oven (decorative). Don't use them for any part that will be hit by flame.

Mike

[brickie in oz]

They recommend not to use wire cuts, even though, they are fired at a much higher temp than youll ever achieve with a wfo.

[GianniFocaccia]

They recommend not to use wire cuts, even though, they are fired at a much higher temp than youll ever achieve with a wfo.

Al,
Why do you think this is?
John

[brickie in oz]

I was always told by the old timers that the air that may be trapped in the holes would expand and explode the brick, sounds like crap to me though.

I have seen old baked, not fired, bricks used in fireplaces that have stood up to the test of time, there really isnt a reason when you think about it why a wire cut brick shouldnt be used.

(The old baked bricks are doughy and easily crumbled, fired bricks are hard and vitrified.)

[david s]

The composition of the brick is more important. Bricks containing more than 5% iron oxide for instance are more brittle. likewise a high proportion of silica in the clay is undesirable. Looking at brick or breaking it with a hammer is no indication of what it contains. Generally the higher they are fired the stronger they'll be, but a firebrick can often be way weaker in strength than a solid standard clay brick. Insulating firebricks for example can be easily broken with a few taps, yet are probably good for 1300C+ and will not spall from heat.
A forum member, from Africa, if I remember correctly, used wire cut bricks with holes in them and filled the holes with clay (ant hills I think) this essentially gives you a solid brick and should work ok. I can't recall if he ever reported back re the success or failure of this experiment. A 50/50 sand clay mix should cope with the tendency of the clay to shrink in the holes.

[Tman1]

Pizza Oven - YouTube