Fire brick vs chop saw.

[yakima]

Needed to cut about an inch off 2 fire bricks to finish lining the Blackstone Walmart Santa Maris grill. Chop saw has a really good blade; whips thru aluminum, modifying Grill Grates. So, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Worked fine, altho I have no idea re post-cut status of blade. Should have worn goggles over my glasses, lots of brick debris in the air (even difficult to breathe). Nice even cuts, no crumbling of brick. Not something that I would recommend on a production basis, but ok for a few cuts.

[Donw]

In marine engineering school decades ago we had to master cutting fire bricks. Several tips if you need to ever cut more. First is to soak the bricks for several minutes, and then let them drain for a few more before cutting. Second, use a diamond blade. Dewalt and other manufacturers make several ready available and cheap at Home Depot and like stores. You can also cut them with a masonry chisel. And, always wear a mask and safety glasses. Enjoy that new grill.

[yakima]

I may have a diamond blade on the saw. Soaking is a good tip, which I would never have thought of.

[captainlee]

Great suggestion about soaking in water, never thought of that. I've always used my disc grinder. Yes safety glasses and a mask for sure.

[Alan Brice]

Carborumdom blade, mask w/canisters, and goggles or full shield.

[dpearce]

I was going to suggest a grinder, but man, the dust would be insane! And the mask you'd need... I don't even know, I'd have to look that up.

[Santamarina]

A chop saw is never a bad thing to own!

Also, would love a review, as I’m in the market for a reasonably priced Santa Maria style grill.

[ComfortablyNumb]

In today’s economy,”reasonably priced “ is an oxymoron

[yakima]

Will do. Have not fired it up yet. My initial impression is positive, that fire brick is an excellent mod, good castors, good cover. A common problem with this style of rig, it seems to me, is finding a cover.

[texastweeter]

Always wear eye protection. You only have 2 of them and you cant "hear" boobs.

[Ace]

Truth... 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[briano52]

I use fire bricks to make a charcoal maze in the fire basket of my KAT vault smoker. Fortunately, they didn't need to cut to get the shape of the maze how I like it. The maze makes fire management much easier. I experimented with the width of the maze. Settled on about 4 inches.

I also preheat the cooker with a weed burner. This makes it faster and easier to get to target temp. As I get close to the target, I shut down the air valve and control the heat with a Billows fan. It is bad to overshoot the temp on a vault smoker like mine. Takes forever to bring the cooker back down to target if you go too high.

[yakima]

2 additional fire brick observations. If one has several cookers, keep about 4 loose bricks on hand for use as grate spacers or in mazes. And find a materials supplier. who sells concrete blocks/pavers, etc., to contractors. Half the price of places like Home Depot.

[Donw]

Just wanted to point out that fire bricks are a fire clay or refectory materials based product that can withstand temperatures up to about 1800 degrees without damage or degradation. Concrete pavers are susceptible to thermal shock and could breakdown, crack, or even explode at much lower temperatures due to thermal expansion and contraction. Not trying to be a smart ass; just want to keep you safe. Just my 2¢

[yakima]

I agree with Donw. Stick with fire brick, usually economically sold by material suppliers.

[briano52]

Yes, real fire bricks don't crack or burst even with very high heat. They cost more than regular bricks, but you don't need many for cookers and they last forever.