Insulation questions

[SteveP]

I just started my oven and need to order the insulation, but I am having problems finding local suppliers in south FL. Most of the material found is from CA and is fairly reasonalby priced but with sipping costs included it is almost cost prohibitive (I am looking at over $500 for the boards, blanket and shipping). I am now looking to use vermiculite for the base versus ceramic board due to its cost and availaility. Home Depot sells bags of vermiculite but I'm wondering if this is the correct stuff. It is "Desa vermiculite for vented logs". Has anyone used this material or do I need to use something else?
Also, does anyone know any east coast distributors for the insulation materials?

[Modthyrth]

For what it's worth, I think there's a bug in the Forno Bravo's store regarding shipping costs. When I bought the insulating board, the lowest shipping price the website said was possible was over $150. I decided to go ahead and order from FB because I wanted to support the company as a way of saying thanks for hosting this forum and providing the plans. To my surprise and delight, when I received the invoice, the actual shipping was only $40--a very reasonable shipping price for such bulky and heavy products. Shipping is not nearly as prohibitive as the website made it seem.

I'm not sure if the vermiculite product you found is the correct one or not. I wasn't able to find any at my local home depot, but I did have luck finding the right stuff at my local garden centers.

[exceloven]

I'm planning on using the stuff from the HD garden dept. I think its the right stuff. Any other input?

[egalecki]

The stuff in the garden dept. is fine, but if it's little bags, you might wanna try your pool supply or a big garden center to see if you can get 4cf bags. It's cheaper that way.

If your pool supplier is a bit odd about letting you have some, tell them what you're building- sometimes they don't want to let you have it if they think you're doing it yourself on a pool.

If they only have portland-added vermiculite, ask them the ratio. If it's 5 to 1, you're good to go! Mine had both, but I chose without.

[bturton]

Hi Steve
Sounds like we're about at the same place in oven building. We are also having quite a time rounding up the materials. We located a Forno Bravo dealer in Florida - in Tampa. Basically the dealer just forwarded our order to Califonia and had the insulation blanket and board shipped to us from the west coast. The order came up to $355 and shipping was an additional $100. Steep, huh? Haven't been able to make myself order the mortar for fear of the cost of shipping. I want it to be right and would hate to be sorry later because I tried to cut costs too hard. Still working through that part.
Also agree with the earlier post about the website having a glitch. When we tried to order online we got a message that said shipping wasn't available.
Love the website and forum. Its been a huge help!
Keep us update! Good luck!

[SteveP]

Thanks for the great information. I couldn't imagine trying to build this oven without this forum and all of the great advice. I will be heading to my local pool supplier tomorrow to see if they have vermiculite. I would love to buy the FB board and blanket from Forno Bravo but I have put myself on a budget and $500 for the insulation just isn't in it (unless I can somehow convince my wife otherwise). I work for a very large construction materials company and was able to get firebrick and heatstop 50 mortar at one of our local concrete plants and was able to save over $150 with my employee discount.
Anyway, I will be starting on the hearth this weekend as I just poured my foundation on Monday.

[Breven]

Steve-
I took some pics of both Vermiculite and Perlite bags that I bought at HD. The stuff was made our of Arizona. Check out my web album and see if the bags you saw at HD are the same. They are the larger 4 cf bags. The heat blanket from FB worked really well and I would recommend buying it. Price was really reasonable, I shopped around. Call the FB warehouse directly and order from them, she'll give you the actual shipping cost.

[SteveP]

Thanks Breven. I'm sure I will purchase the thermal blankets from FB. How do I get to your photo album to look at the vermiculite pics? Is the link at the bottom of your post? This is only my fourth post so I currently cannot see any links on the bottom. I guess I should post another one quick to get to my five.

[Breven]

Oh...I didn;t realize you couldn't see the links. I'll attach a pic.

[SteveP]

I'll look for that at my local Home Depot. Thanks for the photo.