Firebrick for wood-fired ovens and barbecues: how to choose

What is a firebrick and when is it used?

A firebrick is a ceramic piece designed for areas exposed to direct fire: wood-fired and pizza ovens, built-in barbecues, fireplaces and hearths. Unlike an ordinary building brick, it sits inside the fire, which is why it is laid with refractory mortar and not with conventional cement mortar. At Vetonek you will find it in the firebricks and ovens collection, together with a complete wood-fired oven.

Durango, Laguardia or Orio: the three models

The firebrick for ovens and barbecues comes in three models, all made of refractory ceramic:

Durango: the high-temperature model. It has the most sizes: 22 x 11 cm in thicknesses of 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 cm, and 20 x 10 cm in thicknesses of 2.5 and 5 cm.
Laguardia: light-coloured, in 22 x 11 cm format and thicknesses of 2, 3, 4 and 5 cm.
Orio: 22 x 11 cm format in thicknesses of 3, 4 and 5 cm.

The standard 22 x 11 cm format is available in all three models, so you can combine thicknesses without changing the size on plan.

Which thickness for which area?

Thickness is the key decision. The range runs from 2 to 6 cm: the thin ones are used as facing slips and the thick ones for oven floors and domes.

Oven floors: go for 5 or 6 cm. The floor is the part that stores heat and takes the wear of the peel.
Oven domes: the thicker bricks are the right ones for domes.
Walls of barbecues and fireplaces: 2 or 3 cm are enough for facing.

As a reference, the weight per piece in 22 x 11 cm format: the Durango weighs 1.08 kg at 2 cm, 1.41 kg at 3 cm, 1.85 kg at 4 cm and 2.3 kg at 5 and 6 cm; the Laguardia 1 kg (2 cm), 1.4 kg (3 cm), 2 kg (4 cm) and 2.3 kg (5 cm); and the Orio 1.47 kg (3 cm), 1.85 kg (4 cm) and 2.4 kg (5 cm).

Refractory mortar: do not use conventional cement

The pieces must be laid with refractory mortar. In the catalogue you will find Sika MonoTop®-100 Fire Resistant, a fast-setting one-component refractory mortar made with calcium aluminate cement and designed for laying firebricks in barbecues, fireplaces and wood-fired ovens. According to its data sheet, it withstands up to 750 °C, is mixed with water only (0.65-0.75 l per 5 kg of powder), is applied in thicknesses of 6 to 20 mm and has a pot life of about 60 minutes at +20 °C. It is sold in a 5 kg bag for repairs or a 25 kg sack for building work. It gives thin, even joints, which is what suits an oven.

Zumaia Moorish oven: a wood-fired oven that arrives assembled

If you do not want to build the dome piece by piece, the Zumaia firebrick wood-fired oven arrives complete. These are its characteristics according to the data sheet:

120 x 120 cm base and 75 cm height.
Inner cooking diameter of about 93 cm.
Weight of 810 kg.
Includes a pyrometer with sheath to monitor the temperature.
Designed for pizza, bread and roasts cooked over wood, in gardens, country houses and restaurants.

At 810 kg it cannot be unloaded by hand: at the destination you need a crane, a lorry-mounted crane or a forklift. Prepare a level bench or slab of at least 120 x 120 cm, able to bear that weight; if you have doubts about the base, consult the project technician or architect.

How to lay firebrick step by step

Prepare a firm, level base.
Lay the pieces with refractory mortar, never with conventional cement mortar.
Make thin, even joints.
For floors, lay the bricks tight-butted or with a minimal joint to get a smooth surface.
Let it dry and light the first fires gently and gradually.

With Sika MonoTop®-100 Fire Resistant, its data sheet says not to light a fire until the mortar has cured, raising the temperature gradually. If you are looking for fuel, the shop also has dry firewood for heating, fireplaces and stoves.

And if your project includes brick walls or partitions, see our guide to clay bricks: types and how to choose.

Frequently asked questions

Which firebrick do I need for a wood-fired oven?

For a wood-fired oven you need firebrick, in the thicker sizes for the floor and the dome (5 or 6 cm for the floor). The Durango model is identified as high-temperature and comes in thicknesses from 2 to 6 cm.

What thickness of firebrick should I choose for a barbecue?

To face the walls of a barbecue, 2 or 3 cm is usually enough. Keep the 5 or 6 cm thicknesses for the floor, which stores heat and takes the wear of the peel.

Can you use ordinary cement mortar with firebrick?

No, firebrick must be laid with refractory mortar, never with conventional cement mortar. Make thin, even joints, tight-butted or with a minimal joint on floors.

When can I light the first fire in a newly built oven?

First the oven or barbecue must dry, and then the first fires are lit gently and gradually. If you use Sika MonoTop®-100 Fire Resistant, its data sheet says to wait until the mortar has cured.

What sizes does Vetonek firebrick come in?

The standard format is 22 x 11 cm, available in all three models (Durango, Laguardia and Orio), and the Durango also comes in 20 x 10 cm. Thicknesses run from 2 to 6 cm and the brick is sold in packs of 100 pieces or on a pallet.

See the whole range in the firebricks and ovens collection and the rest of the pieces in building ceramics.

Newer post

Older post

Back to blog