Heatmor firebrick upgrade

[RoyR(MI)]

After running my Heatmor for three winters, I decided to add some firebrick to the sides on top of the sand to keep the sides level with the grate. My goal was to make it easier to rake the ashes onto the grate without digging out the sand. As a side benefit, I hope the brick will reflect and retain heat to improve the efficiency a bit. I guess I'll know in a month or so how it works.

 

[farmking]

Sounds like a good idea, i might have to try that myself. Is your Heatmor a model 200?

 

[RoyR(MI)]

Yes, it is a model 200. The firebrick I used were 4.5" wide by 9" long and 2" thick. It takes four on each side. That leaves a 1.5" gap between the new bricks and the existing bricks on the sides. I was originally going to put 1.5" pieces I cut in this gap, but there is a lip at the bottom of the side bricks that wouldn't allow my cut pieces to be set down in the sand. I pulled them back out and filled the gap with ashes.

 

[Marklambert61]

How did this effect your stoves preformance?

 

[lindnova]

I too am interested in how it turns out. I have a 200. It is easy to rake into the sand.

 

[cantoo]

I have a Pacific Western, I don't use sand I just leave a bunch of ashes in the bottom and sloped up the sides. Do you think the sand makes a difference?

 

[lindnova]

I think the sand is just a filler. I mainly rake over the grates and don't worry about the edges very often

 

[Schinny]

This post is from 2008, I was wondering if you could give us an update ? how did it work ? any problems ?? benefits ?? Thanks