Modern cement started to be used in 1800s. But mortar has been used for some construction projects because of its ability to withstand temperatures. This is the reason why if you are planning to create your own brick oven, this is the best choice for you. This type of oven should use up to one fourth inches of refractory mortar. This is also otherwise also called refractory cement or refractory concrete. It should be placed on the outside form of the chamber or oven and not on the inside where it will be exposed to the heat.
Unlike other forms of cement, refractory mortar should not be used to cover gaps or holes in between the bricks that you use in your oven. This is because one of the characteristic of refractor mortar is that they shrink, and this happens more as the oven and the environment changes temperature from cold to hot and vice versa. If you do this, it will just be an added repair expense in the future because definitely the bricks will move and change its position as it shrinks.
How To Make Refractory Mortar
If in case you have a project in mind that needs refractory mortar and you could not find refractory mortar suppliers in your area, do not worry because it is actually possible to make your own. You would only need the following:
Basic Materials
- 1 ½ shovels Portland cement (also called Masonry Cement): This is readily available in hardware stores.
Two common types of Portland cement:
- White one: Waterproof but very strong as it dries up which is usually applied on building or repairing construction projects like pools.
- Grey one: This is what you would need to create refractory mortar.
- 2 shovels of Sand
- 1 ½ shovels of Perlite: a mineral that is found in the volcano.
- 4 to 5 liters Water
- 2 shovels of Fireclay
Added Materials in Making Refractory Mortar
- Thin metal or plastic sheet: This is used as an area where you are going to mix all the ingredients. As an alternative to this, you can also just make use of a clean and smooth hard area, preferably concrete.
- Shovel: To mix all the ingredients together
- Measuring cup: To make sure that you are getting the right ingredient proportions right particularly the water mixture.
Instructions:
- Using the shovel, mix all the dry ingredients on the thin metal or plastic sheet, or the concrete surface. This means the Portland (masonry) cement, sand and perlite.
- Once you have all mixed the dry ingredients together, create a hole at the center of these ingredients using the shovel and put in only 1 liter of water first. If deemed necessary, you can add some more water.
- Put in the fireclay and put in more water up to 4 or 5 liters all in all until you see the preferred consistency.
There you go, that’s how easy it is to make your own refractory mortar. Note that aside from making your own, you can always find suppliers selling premixed refractory mortar.