- Nov 23, 2023
- 52
- 29
I guess I need to consult the experts on Firebox building. I used concrete blocks on top of a concrete slab. And line floor of fire box and side with fire bricks. That all seems to work great as walls are cold to the touch.
I was unsure of how to put on a ceiling when building so I saw someone on here use a metal slab, so I tried that. I set a 3/16” piece of sheet metal on top, placed bricks around the perimeter, mortared them in place (didn’t use high temp mortar which was the first mistake). Then I poured in 4” of concrete to seal it all in place. I should have expected the steel plate to expand, but it raised the concrete on top a full inch and the mortar between the perimeter bricks all cracked and smoke is billowing out.
I had no trouble getting the smoke house which is 2 1/2’ away up to 382 degrees with no effort whatsoever. Any suggestions on how to modify the roof of the firebox would be greatly appreciated.
I just wasn’t sure how to top it off without it caving in from excessive heat over time was my reasoning for the metal plate on top. I could chip off the top layer and redo if that is what I need to do. Just don’t want to burn the smokehouse and wood storage rack to the ground….
I was unsure of how to put on a ceiling when building so I saw someone on here use a metal slab, so I tried that. I set a 3/16” piece of sheet metal on top, placed bricks around the perimeter, mortared them in place (didn’t use high temp mortar which was the first mistake). Then I poured in 4” of concrete to seal it all in place. I should have expected the steel plate to expand, but it raised the concrete on top a full inch and the mortar between the perimeter bricks all cracked and smoke is billowing out.
I had no trouble getting the smoke house which is 2 1/2’ away up to 382 degrees with no effort whatsoever. Any suggestions on how to modify the roof of the firebox would be greatly appreciated.
I just wasn’t sure how to top it off without it caving in from excessive heat over time was my reasoning for the metal plate on top. I could chip off the top layer and redo if that is what I need to do. Just don’t want to burn the smokehouse and wood storage rack to the ground….
