Volcanic rock

[dmun]

Re: Volcanic rock

Hard stones (We're exposed to granite in the states) have a reputation for cracking and spalling (surface chipping) when exposed to direct flame. That said, so do common bricks, so there might be no real reason not to try them, if there's a reasonable way to cut a hard volcanic stone like basalt.

[Nick House]

Re: Volcanic rock

Thanks for the info. I will bear all these things in mind. I am tempted to experiment a bit before I finally decide what to do. Why is generally a bad idea to use natural rock?

[Tscarborough]

Re: Volcanic rock

As a rule natural stone of any type is not a good choice for the direct fire portion of your oven. Low fired adobes or common solid brick would be a better choice. They may not last as long as firebrick, but they will suffice and both are cheap and available everywhere.

[Nick House]

Re: Volcanic rock

Gents

We have all sorts of volcanic rock from a hard granite type to a more soft pumice type. I would have to write to a friend and get them to sort out how dense either or both are. As I live in Saudi it might take a while. Our property is quite remote and so I was thinking that using locally available materials would be preferable especially seeing as I am not sure I could get fire bricks and even if I could I am sure they would be very expensive.

Do you guys think that it would possible to build an oven using these type of rocks?

Thanks for any advice you have, I am a complete novice at this type of thing, and just trying to get some information.

[Neil2]

Re: Volcanic rock

What is the density ? How much does it weigh per cubic foot ?

[Johnny the oven man]

Re: Volcanic rock

Is it the porous type of volcanic rock? I think that type would be more insulative.

[Nick House]

I am planning to try and build an oven in Indonesia, we have masses of volcanic rock everywhere. Could I use this instead of the fire bricks?

Any help or advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated!