I have heard of several diffrent matirials that are used to line your forge with clay,cat litter and mud.

What works the best and will make my forge last the longest or does it not matter what i use ?

 

I buy refractory cement from my local building supply for my forge liner. I don't remember the name of it right now when I get home Ill check. It is rated at 3k degrees and does not need sand or anything added just water. it about $40 us per 50 lbs. If I remember correctly.

Unscented kitty litter is cheap and easy to use.  Just wet enough to ball together in your fist. 

Thanks I think I might try the cat litter, dollar store lol

I used clay from my garden. I mixed in coal dust/wood shavings/twigs/smashed up brick...anything to bins it together, works great. Just get as much moisture out as possible by kneading everything together.

clay

I have mine linned with 3 parts sand and 1 part portland cement if you are talking about a portable forge like the ones that say "clay before use".   I tried kitty litter but it didn't last long.  One or two forge sessions at the most and it started to crumble.

Ken

I tried cat litter, but as Ken G said it crumbled, so I went with the refractory cement w/ broken bits of firebrick mixed in.

My forge is unlined; the firepot is going on 28 years so far, I might have to think of replacing it once afore I'm dead.

 

Sorta depends on how your forge is built---did I miss the explanation or pictures?

I use a mixture of ashes, kitty litter, some refractory cement and water.

Mix it all to a thick paste, and let it dry over a couple of days. Then gently fire it to get the rest of the water out.

Works well for me, and is dirt cheap. Just keep in mind that the kitty litter will absorb a lot of water quickly, so mix everything first, and then add water. Otherwise mixing becomes very tiresome.

damp coal 'fines' otherwise known as 'slack'.  Cooks into 'breeze' ie; home made coke.

A.