Brick Question

[carrieanddan]

I have a pile of bricks that were around, and underneath my old octopus furnace. I think that they are insulating bricks, but how can I be sure?
They are not the size of firebrick, they are the size of a standard brick, white and quite light. They are sort of sandy feeling, like firebrick, and the fact that they were around what was originally a coal fired chunk of cast iron leads me to think that they are insulating bricks and would be a perfect alternative to the hassle of pouring the vermiculite concrete, or the expense of SuperIsol.

Any ideas?

[asudavew]

Originally Posted by carrieanddan

I have a pile of bricks that were around, and underneath my old octopus furnace. I think that they are insulating bricks, but how can I be sure?
They are not the size of firebrick, they are the size of a standard brick, white and quite light. They are sort of sandy feeling, like firebrick, and the fact that they were around what was originally a coal fired chunk of cast iron leads me to think that they are insulating bricks and would be a perfect alternative to the hassle of pouring the vermiculite concrete, or the expense of SuperIsol.

Any ideas?

How much do they weigh?
That's a good starting point.
Insulating bricks are quite light, while firebricks will weigh about 8 lbs or so.

And how bout some pics....they may help.

But they do sound like insulating bricks at this point.

Dwats

[carrieanddan]

I dug out a scale and weighed one of them... not as light as I thought. 4 pounds, 4 ounces. dimensions are 3 3/4"x8"x2 1/4".
I will try to get a photo with it next to a standard firebrick.

Thanks!

DAN

[Neil2]

Sound like insulating brick.

Keep a few. They will support a load and you will find them usefull for providing a "heat break " between the inside refractory dome and the outside finish when you go to build your portal / entrance.