New Maple Syrup Arch Problem

Rod in Forfar · Feb 20, 2010

My son and his friends wanted to make maple syrup again, so I decided to get a local welder to build a good arch to hold the pan. A neighbour suggested lining the firebox with concrete patio stones to save on the cost of firebrick. The arch went together well and we had the first hot fire in it today.

Sounded like WWI in the shack for a bit: one by one the patio stones exploded like bombs. The 28 gauge galvanized sheeting held the shrapnel in, but just barely.

The welder broke out laughing when I called him. Seems my patio stones were too wet and they blew up. He suggested I find some replacements from an indoor store and try again.

Anybody have any experience with fire brick?

JDemaris · Feb 20, 2010

I think fire-brick is called "fire-brick" for a good reason. They are made with special fire clay. Considering how hot an arch can get, I wouldn't want to try anything else. Some oil-fired rigs get by with refractory-blankets, but they don't run near as hot and are better controlled. Also usually used with sap run through an osmosis rig first to get half the water out and yield a shorter boil time. I suppose you're using wood?

I know my arch gets so hot it will bend lengths of rail-road track. I know because I've used them many times for temporary supports until they got hot, bent, and dropped. I've also seen standard 8" x 16" concrete blocks blow to pieces in a hot fire. Can't see how "patio" blocks would be any better.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 20, 2010

As jd says, it's all in the name, patio stones are just concrete with colour and you now know what happens to concrete if a heat source is applied.

Tom from Ontario · Feb 20, 2010

Tell me you didn't make the arch with galvanized metal.

Leyland-270 · Feb 20, 2010

Please folks never use any rock that is not granite or any brick or block that is not have a fire rating. If you heat the water that is trapped in the rock or brick it becomes steam. The steam will escape, but if heated quickly it will escape through the new crack just created.

A good friend of my cousin lost his life to a wet rock in a fire ring. The rock had been there for several years but after many days of rain and a real hot fire that rock left one dead and two more severely injured.

Even if you have a fire ring out back like I do tear it out and replace it with granite stones or tractor rim or a custom built steel one like mine.

just another old geezer · Feb 21, 2010

saw fire bricks for less than $2.oo each at the local fleet farm store.

MarkB_MI · Feb 21, 2010

I can't believe anyone suggested using patio stones! Fire brick is the ONLY thing you can safely use to line a stove.

D.B. in Mi. · Feb 21, 2010

Tractor Supply sells fire brick for cheap.Probably about the same cost as pavers.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 21, 2010

Fire brick is the only way to go. It lasts for years in the arch. Don't waste your time with anything else. Also, if the fire brick was stored outside,make the first fire slow and small to dry the bricks out or they can have similar problems. Fill the rear portion with sand. Are you running a raised flu or drop-flu pan?
Cal

New Maple Syrup Arch Problem

Rod in Forfar

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JDemaris

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Anonymous-0

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Tom from Ontario

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Leyland-270

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just another old geezer

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MarkB_MI

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D.B. in Mi.

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Anonymous-0

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