floor insulation

[sumu]

can you use silica sand for the oven floor or is vermiculite a better choice.

[dmun]

can you use silica sand for the oven floor or is vermiculite a better choice

All together now:

Sand is not an insulator
Gravel is not an insulator
Dirt is not an insulator
Broken glass is not an insulator...

is the verse, and the chorus is:

Insulate! Insulate! Insulate!

[RTflorida]

Amen!

stick with perlcrete (perlite & portland cement), vermicrete (vermiculite & portland cement), or the best option - ridgid refractory board insulation (commonly refered to as FB board - sold in the FB store as well as other brands at your local kiln or refractory supplier).
USE NOTHING ELSE - you won't be happy with performance and will need a hardwood forest if you want to use it regularly.

RT