An old woodstove came with the house we are renting and we use it a lot to keep the utility bill down. The fire brick is crumbling and needs to be replaced. It's an odd size not stocked by any of the woodstove stores in the area. The bricks are approximatly 4" x 8" x 1" I say approximatly because they are a smidgen under on all dimensions and nothing larger will work as it's an exact fit.

I've been told to get it custom cut but that means splitting a brick as well as trimming off the sides. I get raised eyebrows and shaking heads when I mention that.

The landlady lives in another area and leaves us the job of hunting up materials. Any suggestions.

Ruth

-- Ruth Harris (phoophh@yahoo.com), December 16, 2000

Answers

What about forming your own using refractory cement?

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), December 16, 2000.

For a quick fix; lay the brick in front and center. Fill all gaps or blank spaces with sand.

-- JR (jr3star@earthlink.net), December 16, 2000.

contact a foundery near you,, they use all sizes of brick,, they can at least tell you where they get theirs

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), December 16, 2000.

Cutting fire brick is no problem at all. Really, it is as simple as 1 2 3. ---1. Buy a masonary blade for a table saw (4 bucks at Lowe's) 2. Score both sides of brick at least 1/4 inch deep 3. Place brick on a firm flat edge along the score and tap with a hammer. BINGO--custom cut ! Try it, anyone can do it !

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), December 17, 2000.

You can buy Refractory Cement, make forms out of cardboard, and pour new fire brick. Check Lehaman's they use to have it or check with a conceret block supplier, maybe even a stove/furnace outfit, Kiln supplier. I have used it on several cook stoves. you just burn the cardboard forms out when it sets.

-- Hendo (redgate@echoweb.net), December 17, 2000.

Hi,

I think that you can go to Lehman's and buy a product that you make your own firebrick with. You mix it and pour it into cardboard shapes inside your fireplace. The cardboard burns and the brick remain. That's at www.lehmans.com. Hope this may help.

Beth(NC)

-- Beth (NC) (craig@icu2.net), December 21, 2000.