IFB Question

A

Axeman58

Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
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Hello Everyone,
I have a question for those who have built their own HT ovens (as I am in the process of doing). I started this project over a year ago, then life adjusted my priorities, as is often the case with we humans. Well, I'm back in the saddle again and restarting my HT oven build once again. I started this build by purchasing a PID, TC, 40 amp SSR, and a box of 12 K23 IFBs. Upon laying out my bricks yesterday, I found I'm a few short to complete the oven to the size I want. So, after work today, I went to where I bought the 1st 12 to pick up another dozen, but they only had M26 IFBs. Since this is the only place in OKC that I could find any, I picked up the 2600F bricks . My question is, can I mix these 2 different grades of IFBs in my build? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
I don't see any reason why it should be an issue, however if it was me, I would probably use the 2600 bricks exclusively on the floor or ceiling and the 2300's on the walls . At least with that setup the 2600's are not affecting anything in regards to the heating elements ie: perhaps the 26 will radiate heat differently if it houses the elements.

I'm no expert, but as I said if it's what I had that's how I would get it done.
Good luck with the build,
Justin
 
J.,
Thanks for your reply. I was assured by the company I purchased them from that the mixture wouldn't cause any problems, but at the same time, I was told that the 2600F bricks were rougher in texture. My plan was to use them for the roof of the oven, but I became concerned about heat radiation thru the roof. I have a LOT of 2" Kaowool left over from my gas forge build that I plan to wrap around the outside of the oven, but I still have some concerns about keeping heat distribution as even as possible within the oven, and keeping it as energy efficient as I can.
I can't seem to find a definitive answer on manufactures websites, so I thought I'd check with the experts on BF before proceeding. Thanks again for taking the time to reply.
 
I don't think it will matter, especially if you put an insulating blanket around the bricks.
 
Having recently switched to IFB 2600(same as K26) rated bricks, I've found they are much stronger than K23. They'll dull band saw blades and carbide much quicker than K23. They also take much more effort to snap and break, and hold up better under the expansion from heating. I'd use the K26 to hold the elements and the K23 for the roofing. The elements will be the hottest part of the chamber anyway.
 
Thank you for your time Stacy. I believe the insulating blanket will make my oven run more efficiently overall.
 
Thanks to everyone for taking time to offer your take on my question. I'm a little surprised to learn that Atlas Forge has gone to the 2600F bricks. Are those bricks a lot harder to cut and groove than the K23s? I haven't even opened the box of K26 bricks yet. Now, to go reconfigure my oven.
 
I switched to K26, not non-insulating firebrick. The weight difference between the bricks is small, less than 8 oz. A hard brick is about 6 lbs. heavier. You can still carve a K26 with a spoon, though, just not a plastic spoon.
 
Thanks Atlas,
I bought the soft fire bricks. In doing a little work with them today, I really can't tell any difference between the K23s and the K26s. I got the floor (or maybe it's the roof) mortared together this afternoon. I had to order 2 more 40A SSRs yesterday, since I had originally planned this build to be a 110v unit. I still have the original SSR I ordered, but I wanted the pair for my newly designed 220v oven to be a matched pair and I wasn't able to locate a mate for that one.
Now all I have to do is find some place to order (hopefully 1) heating element, and figure out what to do with the neutral wire. I still have the shell to build, but that's no big deal once I remember to buy some more cut off wheels for my angle grinder.
Thanks again for your help.
Terry
 
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