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Building a Fireplace, Need Advice

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by AeroCooper, Jun 7, 2011.

  1. Jun 7, 2011 at 3:32 PM
    #1
    AeroCooper

    AeroCooper [OP] Half the strength of ten (microscopic men)

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    Several years ago I built an outdoor fireplace using river rocks and supposedly heat resistant mortar. Well, after a few years it is basically a neat stack of river rocks with mortar stuck to them. They are no longer attached to each other.

    So I've been researching how to properly build an outdoor fireplace. I know there was a recent thread about fire pits, but I want an actual fireplace. I've searched online, and the best looking ones seem to use cinder blocks as a basic structure, with flat rocks then mortared onto the outside to make it appear made entirely of stone. Something like this, but probably not as fancy:
    [​IMG]

    The problem is, I've seen other sites saying that you can't use concrete or it will potentially explode from the heat. As far as I know, cinder blocks are made out of cement/concrete. I can't seem to find a definite answer anywhere.
    So my question is, does anyone know if it is safe to use cinder blocks for a fireplace?
     
  2. Jun 7, 2011 at 3:37 PM
    #2
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    Cinder blocks will hold up to the heat. Concrete has the potential to fail because of the water content. Cinder blocks are dried. FYI, fully cured concrete won't explode but constant exposure to high heat makes it crumble over time.
     
  3. Jun 7, 2011 at 6:23 PM
    #3
    cleanTRDmachine

    cleanTRDmachine watch the meat

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  4. Jun 7, 2011 at 6:33 PM
    #4
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    Use firebrick in the firebox , that's what it is made for
     
  5. Jun 7, 2011 at 6:36 PM
    #5
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

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    ours is brick around the fire area, the chimney and rest of the sides look like smooth river rocks but bigger held to form with cement. been using it for years and it looks perty cool.. another tip, if you can make a couple lips of brick and set a grate on top to hold your firewood, the intake of oxygen through the base and flow out the chimney heats the fire quite rediculously :D melts beer cans in minutes
     
  6. Jun 7, 2011 at 6:40 PM
    #6
    toughtaco

    toughtaco Well-Known Member

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    :popcorn:sub'd..... I have been doing lots of research on outdoor fireplaces this year. I actually wanted to have a 3 in 1 built ( fireplace, pizza oven and grill altogether). I recently went to my local nursery that has just started to sell outdoor fireplaces that are very similar to what you have built. I have not priced any of the products they carry, just so you know. I do remember the product I believe, without walking out to my truck to get the brochure but it was called the Cambridge collection. So start there if you want.... but do give us some before and after pics.....
     
  7. Jun 8, 2011 at 6:23 AM
    #7
    AeroCooper

    AeroCooper [OP] Half the strength of ten (microscopic men)

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    Thanks guys, all good suggestions. I've looked at the fire bricks, and man they are expensive! I'll probably have to get them though, I want to do this right. Keep the ideas coming.
     
  8. Jun 8, 2011 at 6:44 AM
    #8
    cleanTRDmachine

    cleanTRDmachine watch the meat

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    ...if you don't do it right, it will be a complete waste of money. Do it right and you'll enjoy it as the centerpiece of your yard...
    post pics as you progress
     
  9. Jun 8, 2011 at 7:04 AM
    #9
    AeroCooper

    AeroCooper [OP] Half the strength of ten (microscopic men)

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    Yeah, shaping the chimney section is what has me most uncertain. I called the local home center who were very helpful, but they didn't know what I meant by 'chimney forms'.
     
  10. Jun 8, 2011 at 7:09 AM
    #10
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    He might be talking about the chimney liners. Something like this...
    http://www.superiorclay.com/flue-liners.php
     
  11. Jun 8, 2011 at 1:37 PM
    #11
    bstaco

    bstaco Member

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    Use fire brick for your firebox and make sure to use a heat stop mortar for your firebox and chimney flues.For the block and river rocks portland cement mortar is fine.
     
  12. Jun 8, 2011 at 5:17 PM
    #12
    cleanTRDmachine

    cleanTRDmachine watch the meat

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    Sorry, I had just woke up and couldn't think of "flues" :eek:
     
  13. Jun 26, 2011 at 4:18 PM
    #13
    AeroCooper

    AeroCooper [OP] Half the strength of ten (microscopic men)

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    Ok, I've started gathering the supplies. I'll continue to update this as I go along. But first, here's the original fireplace that I threw together a few years ago that is falling apart and is being replaced:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Here's some of the supplies I've gotten so far. The local stores all wanted $2.95 each for the firebricks, but on a whim I checked a place about 45 miles away and scored them for $1.47 each!! :D Well worth the trip as I saved over $150, but I should have gotten a picture of the Taco sagging under the weight of 110 firebricks and 240 pounds of concrete sacks. :eek:
    Today I got an additional 800 lbs of concrete, but it's not all pictured here.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Jun 26, 2011 at 4:32 PM
    #14
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

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    Dang its goona be a bit bigger than the old one eh!?
     
  15. Jun 26, 2011 at 4:38 PM
    #15
    kroggy

    kroggy Well-Known Member

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    I hope your using that concrete (has gravel) for a footing. You want portland cement mortar (no gravel) for laying any bricks, blocks, and stone.
     
  16. Jun 26, 2011 at 4:45 PM
    #16
    AeroCooper

    AeroCooper [OP] Half the strength of ten (microscopic men)

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    Yep, this concrete is for the slab it will sit on. Then I'll be laying one full layer of cinder blocks as a base, using mortar, then the actual building will begin.
    Thanks for the tip though, I'm learning as I go, so all tips are welcome!
    Oh yeah, MUCH bigger! :D
     
  17. Jun 27, 2011 at 12:19 PM
    #17
    toughtaco

    toughtaco Well-Known Member

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    Wow good luck with the build. I hope to see some pics soon of your project, probably going to do one next year right after the pool goes in.
     
  18. Jun 27, 2011 at 4:47 PM
    #18
    cleanTRDmachine

    cleanTRDmachine watch the meat

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    good start, can't wait to see the progress...make sure you get done with it before your first frost up in VT.
     
  19. Jun 29, 2011 at 5:17 PM
    #19
    AeroCooper

    AeroCooper [OP] Half the strength of ten (microscopic men)

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    I started digging the hole for the concrete slab. It looks bigger in person, it is 80" x 32" (a little less than 7' x 3') so far, but I'll have to make it a little bigger for the forms to fit in, and need to clean it up still, of course.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Jun 30, 2011 at 2:49 PM
    #20
    AeroCooper

    AeroCooper [OP] Half the strength of ten (microscopic men)

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    Picked up more supplies today - this shows roughly how wide and tall the lower section (not counting the upper chimney section) will be.
    There's also some bags of marble chips I picked up to use as a bed for the concrete slab.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     

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