Hello,

i wanna start by saying I’m brand new to this site so sorry if this is in the wrong forum. I’m just looking for some general information. 

I  have a propane and fire brick forge currently but a few of my bricks have cracked and crumbled. I live in SW Florida and it’s literally impossible to find fire brick. I’ve searched high and low and nothing. I’ve decided to cast my own. The best recipe I can find is consisting of Portland cement I/II, hydrated lime, crushed silica and perlite. 

Im just wondering if anyone has tried the recipe and if so any tips on it. Thank you! 

Can you explain why that is the "best" recipe?  It doesn't sound very good to me; but you must have years more experience in the field to call it best.

Oh no absolutely not, I apologize I worded that wrong. I just meant from researching the products and a few test runs they “seem” very durable and insulating. I’m very very new to this. I also have very limited resources in this area. The only other product I can possibly get is clay. I’m just looking for any and all helpful knowledge or recipes anyone has. 

Have you looked at what http://www.axner.com/refractory-brick-and-blanket.aspx has for sale?  Not right in your neighborhood; but if you search on  pottery and kiln supplies you may find what you want closer.

I have searched through pottery suppliers but unfortunately the closest of anything I can find is roughly 3 hours away. I’ll just break down and order some through that site. For this I was just wanting to experiment and see how it turns out if it makes descent refractory. 

Portland refractory is an oxymoron. 

I would advise to forget that portland cement I/II, hydrated lime, crushed silica and perlite recipe.

Do a search for K26 fire brick. It comes in different sizes, I've seen it on eBay and the link Thomas gave has it.

BTW: welcome to the forum, if you will edit your profile to show your location you may be surprised how many members are near you and a lot of answers are location dependent. We will not remember you're in SW Florida after leaving this thread.

On 12/18/2017 at 2:32 PM, ThomasPowers said:

Can you explain why that is the "best" recipe?  It doesn't sound very good to me; but you must have years more experience in the field to call it best.

Please be careful with that cutting sarcasm; I'm weak and old. Making me laugh that hard very often is likely to finish up the job 

On 12/22/2017 at 2:30 PM, Mikey98118 said:

Making me laugh that hard very often is likely to finish up the job

Or cause accidents for those with weak bladders.