Can these be used for oven floor?

[azatty]

Re: Can these be used for oven floor?

I'd say used tiles are a no-no; new ones, I don't know.

Pottery glazes are typically made of silica, alumina, a flux, and a colorant. The fluxes can contain metallic oxides which can be toxic. She may say that no "heavy metals" were used, but that only eliminates part of the periodic table. And then there's the colorants. You have no idea what their chemical composition is. Unless she knows the exact comoposition of the glaze, I wouldn't be enthusiastic about cooking on them.

It also seemed to me that the kiln shelves were very porous when I looked at them. I'd be interested to see how they work out, though. It could lead to a much lighter oven.

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: Can these be used for oven floor?

I went with 1.25" soapstone directly on top of 2.5"-thick firebrick thinking that this floor thickness is still thinner than my dome.

Harbison Walker (ANH Refractories) has 24"x12"x2.15" refractory tiles which are made of the same material as their firebricks. A year ago these were $32 each at their location in Los Angeles. They have a location in Dallas.

[pdqtom]

Re: Can these be used for oven floor?

Thanks for the reply. The tiles were used only for stone ware. They said that the glazes they use have no heavy metals. The owner also said she was about to order some replacement tiles from Mexico and could add additional to her order for me at her cost, $36 each. I have also thought of going ahead with firebrick with these tiles on top to minimize joints.

[Les]

Re: Can these be used for oven floor?

I would personally double up for the mass. More importantly, do you know what was being fired in the kiln? Many of the products may have contained lead. No clue how much could possibly get into the tile and then leech into the food. It's a question I would ask...

[pdqtom]

I am gathering materials to build a 42" oven and have come across used "tiles" from a commercial pottery kiln. These are actually High temp shelves used in the kiln and I can get them reasonably priced. They are approx. 1" thick and 20" square. Are these acceptable for "flooring" in the oven. I was going to use firebrick but came across these. They are much thinner than using firebrick, should I use one layer or perhaps two or stick with the firebrick?

This forum is awesome, by reading it I now know too much and need to stop researching and start building!