Fire pit bricks

[8Line]

Howdy all,
I have a bunch of leftover bricks used for the exterior of our house. Think they are good for a fire pit?

 

[nadogail]

Will you be counting on the bricks to stand up to the fire?

They might be fine for the exterior of your Fire Pit but they won’t be Fire Bricks.

 

[jack stand]

Leftover bricks, that kinda says it all. Dry stack a ring 3-4 high and see how they react to the heat. They are bricks, what's the worst that could happen?

 

[ATC]

Does no one save the extra bricks from their house build anymore? They can be very useful in the future when you can't get the matching brick for your house anymore, and need to patch or modify something.

Our house was built in 1970/71, and we've always had a pile of leftover bricks out next to the original shed. We used those bricks to close up a doorway, and to shrink a window opening over the years.

 

[23ford]

used bricks will not stand up to the heat fine for outside but you need firebricks on the inside next to the heat

 

[Zeke]

For sure don't let them get wet before you use them near a fire. You could line the pit with broken terracotta pot material. You could even use a little fireclay.

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

Does no one save the extra bricks from their house build anymore? They can be very useful in the future when you can't get the matching brick for your house anymore, and need to patch or modify something.

Our house was built in 1970/71, and we've always had a pile of leftover bricks out next to the original shed. We used those bricks to close up a doorway, and to shrink a window opening over the years.

As a third generation, Mason contractor, I agree, 100%

One of the hardest things to do is match bricks when a customer wants to do a little repair or modification

 

[The Cobbler]

Does no one save the extra bricks from their house build anymore?

Nope, builders would rather just bury them than have them clutter up the area , and no one things about the future any more.
When I installed a patio door in a previous house I save all the bricks, the mortar cleaned up easily from them.

and to the original question, no, they will pop & crack and send projectiles thru the air when they get moisture in them

 

[Beemer]

Does no one save the extra bricks from their house build anymore?

My grandfather made his fortune collecting and selling used bricks.
It bought him eight connected acre building lots with two houses.
He moved in and lived in the one having brick exterior. Made sense.

 

[engineer2]

For high temperature applications there is a brick called "Super Duty Firebrick". It is normally used for industrial ovens and furnaces. Usually an industrial product, but I was surprised it is sold on Amazon. If you are doing a circle, you would want to buy "Ring Brick" to get the wedge shape to make a ring in the diameter of your choice. There is also high temperature mortar to put it together, and the trick is to butter it thinly as possible rather than using too much.

 

[Hubmonkey]

Does no one save the extra bricks from their house build anymore? They can be very useful in the future when you can't get the matching brick for your house anymore, and need to patch or modify something.

Our house was built in 1970/71, and we've always had a pile of leftover bricks out next to the original shed. We used those bricks to close up a doorway, and to shrink a window opening over the years.

Nah we just tear down their mailboxes and use those bricks for repair.. j/k

 

[niget2002]

We used landscaping bricks when building one of our fire pits. The circle was far enough out that the heat from the flames didn't cause issue with them. We put a layer of lava rock on the bottom of the pit. We didn't put mortar in the bricks and just stacked them. It allowed water to escape from inside the pit and drain out easier.

 

[dogdog]

Clay and straw or clay and saw dust mix is good heat insulator. I think they sell bags of clay in mason specific supply stores.

 

[Firebrick43]

Why is my ears burning?

 

[8Line]

wow this is amazing feedback! thanks everyone!.

this house was built in 2022. these bricks were used on the exterior only, and they are leftover. the builder just left them in the garage. Safe to say, it sounds like not using these bricks for a fire pit is the right way to go.

thanks again!

 

[bb29510]

if they break they break, already paid for