Clay for making bricks good for FireClay

[ExpatInNicaragua]

Will clay used for making bricks serve well as FireClay? I live withing 30 kilometers of the oldest brick kilns in the Americas started by the Spanish 450 years ago. They are still making them exactly the same way today they did then. I hope those solid clay bricks will serve me well in building my oven but there isn't a home depot in this country and I do not know exactly what fire clay is. Thanks in advance.

[wotavidone]

Re: Clay for making bricks good for FireClay

See if the brick kilns can supply you with crushed fired clay bricks or the dust from cutting them.

[david s]

Re: Clay for making bricks good for FireClay

Fire clay is a rather confusing name. It can be a completely different product depending on what industry is using it. For building an oven, for the temperatures we fire to, I think any powdered clay will suffice.

[dakzaag]

Re: Clay for making bricks good for FireClay

Those brick should be fine for your oven. I think the clay will work also, but try to get some lime in the mix as well.