Thought I'd post this up for comment from you all. I have an Enviro 1700 Insert. We've used it for 10+ years and it's time to replace the fire bricks in the firebox. I've been trying to figure out what type of bricks I should be using. The manual indicates that only pumice bricks should be used. I don't know if the stove shop installed with pumice or not. In any event, new pumice bricks seem to be super expensive, so I wanted to evaluate any other reasonable alternatives. So, questions... Should I use pumice bricks or not? I've read that pumice "reflects" heat, while other types of bricks "absorb" heat. Would this affect performance of the stove? Also, any guesses at what temperature level brick would be appropriate? Most bricks I find for sale are either 2000F or 2700F. I suspect the 2700F would last longer, but would using one versus the other affect stove performance? Any thoughts would be appreciated. You'd think after 10+ years of burning, I would've learned some of this stuff, but maybe not...
You want to reinvent the wheel ? My stove has pumice bricks on the walls and floor, a thin ceramic 'board' on the top and see through ceramic glass on the door. Most of the heat is thrown off the top and door. I'd wager if I replaced the pumice with ceramic my overnite burns would become 6 hour burns and I'd be replacing the bricks left and right the way I toss split around. One manufacturer of wood stoves will replace pumice with soapstone bricks and apparently it doesn't affect certification - go figure. All I would want is a brick that would stand up to my somewhat less than gentle handling and work as well as OEM. Now there are some cheap bricks out there and from what I've seen and read, they don't have a very long service life. My bias is that this is due to user handling - but that's me. Maybe they are extremely tender. I'm old, have little time left for experiments and avoid FAFO.
You could try it with some cheap non pumice bricks, see how you like it...TSC has a 6 pack for $29 or so, depending on your local market (they change prices based on the local mean income level...our local store is cheaper than the the one that is next county up, even though it's only 5 minutes drive further for us, it's in a wealthier town...they will price match the closest store though. )
If you have Mutual Materials Masons Supply stores near you, they carry refractory bricks in several thicknesses for stoves and fireplaces. I have used them to replace the original bricks in my reburn stove and they have worked fine. I have also used them in my knife forge with no problems. They are much cheaper than fitted kits or bricks from specialty stores. Only drawback is that you have to cut a few to fit. I used a 4.5 inch grinder with a cheap diamond wheel from Harbor Freight. Wear a mask!
I'd just stick with pumice as recommended by the mfg. I think a pumice stone kit for my stove would run me almost $300 so I agree it seems ridiculously expensive but hey at least they last ya a decade. Thats a lot of burning. I recall my installer saying the bricks were a rip off to replace but they last way longer than anything else.
