No fireclay? Options for setting floor.

[Cheesehead]

I'm about to set my floor onto the vermicrete base. Standard procedure is to put down a bed of sand and fireclay to support/level the firebricks on the base.

I'm getting lazy, though - I've sourced everything I need except for the fireclay. For that, I'll have to make a 2-1/2 hour drive into Minneapolis (Smith-Sharpe). Everything else I can get local, or can get easily shipped.

Should I make the trip? Or should I set with a mix of sand and portland (OK, then I know I can't get them up) or with Heatstop mortar? Or are there any other options?

Thanks!

[Les]

Someone else posted this question a while back. I suggested using the residue left from cutting the bricks. That should work well for the purpose of leveling.

[Mike D]

That's what I did. It worked ok for leveling, I don't know if there are any problems yet (not done with my oven).

Mike
http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f8/r...ape-14700.html (Round shape)

[brickie in oz]

Whats wrong with sand for leveling, its not like you need a 10mm bed joint.

[david s]

Any powdered clay should do becausee at the temps we fire to there is no danger of the clay melting. Sand on it's own may shift with ant activity but mixed with clay becomes somewhat more physically stable.

[brickie in oz]

Originally Posted by david s

ant activity

You have ants in your oven?

[david s]

If you haven't used your oven for a fair time all sorts of cReepy crawlies may decide to make their homes in it.