Chicago area - looking for local suppliers

[snipe97]

Hello all. I am in the Chicago area and despite daily rains, am moving along steadily on the way to joining the WB oven community. Hit a slight snag and wondering if I can gather some quick help re: Building materials.

Any local-ish (to Chicago) suppliers for:
a. ceramic FB (the biggest stumbling block right now) and b. fire brick that someone can recommend? The interwebs has not been all that helpful yet and figure someone here has gone down this road already.

Many thanks to all for providing great information on this forum!

[UtahBeehiver]

There have been several builds in the Chicago area lately. So do a forum search. But Distribution International is a source of CaSi board and blanket )closest near Gary, IN. You can also do a google search for refractory suppliers for brick and and CaSi board and blanket. Harbison Walker is another, located in Gary

[Chach]

Hi...where abouts are you located? I'm in the middle of my build and Russell is correct Distribution International is the way to go. I believe its in Hammond, IN this is where I sourced the insulation

[snipe97]

Thanks for the quick reply UtahBeehiver! I did run through a forum search and came across DI and Harbison. Called the DI location a few times - but oddly no answer, no ability to leave a message. Will keep trying. Did manage to get a hold of Harbison and Dan there was quite helpful.

Chach - I am just west of city in OPRF area...and doing some framing today ...waiting for it to rain. Is DI where you went?

[Chach]

Thanks for the quick reply UtahBeehiver! I did run through a forum search and came across DI and Harbison. Called the DI location a few times - but oddly no answer, no ability to leave a message. Will keep trying. Did manage to get a hold of Harbison and Dan there was quite helpful.

Chach - I am just west of city in OPRF area...and doing some framing today ...waiting for it to rain. Is DI where you went?

Yes Di is where I went ill give you my salesmans name and email.. Joe Pace his email is j.pace@distributionintl.com below is what pricing i was given. I purchased it in April I think the blanket went up a few cents so this should be pretty close to what you should be getting for price. Also illinois brick jas good prices on fire brick I paid $1.62 a brick.

Calsil Board (Thermal Gold 12) here in Hammond---2" x 18" x 36" Flat Calsil block

Cost is $5.49 per sq ft.

Foamglas....1 1/2" thick
2.98 per sq ft

Cerablanket. 300 x 24 x 1. 8#
$1.12 per sq ft

[Chach]

Oh and the blanket and board is in stock foamglas they had to fabricate took a few days.

[snipe97]

unbelievably helpful...thank you so much for being so kind with your time! I will reach out to Mr. Pace and keep this wood burning ball moving!

[snipe97]

got a hold of DI...which led to another question . CalSi board versus ceramic fiber ... I understand the practical difference is largely in service temperature (2300 for the low density CF versus 1000 for CalSi). Forno seems to recommend (or at least builds their ovens) with the ceramic board. With your build, have you noticed any performance difference using the CalSi board? Just want to make sure I pick the right board i.e. CalSi is a good way to go. thanks!

[Chach]

got a hold of DI...which led to another question . CalSi board versus ceramic fiber ... I understand the practical difference is largely in service temperature (2300 for the low density CF versus 1000 for CalSi). Forno seems to recommend (or at least builds their ovens) with the ceramic board. With your build, have you noticed any performance difference using the CalSi board? Just want to make sure I pick the right board i.e. CalSi is a good way to go. thanks!

I believe UtahBeehiver aka Russell used thermo gold 12 and has had good results. I picked up the same board from DI. I do believe many have used the same product (thermal gold 12) Have you looked for fire clay? I purcjased Hawthorn Bond from a pottery store in Elk Grove.

[snipe97]

I have only begun looking for fire clay so thanks for the local recommendation on that front! I was hoping there was an easier solution than producing my own refractory mortar, and one that doesn't cost $500K to ship.

[UtahBeehiver]

You are getting CaSi board and ceramic fiber mixed up. The CaSi board is for insulating under the floor bricks and is rigid, the ceramic fiber (blanket) is for insulating the dome and is flexible. You cannot use ceramic fiber under the floor or the board on the dome.

[Chach]

Menards has hydrated Lime along with some home depot stored. Mason sand and portland is available at both stores and the clay for sure at Elk Grove.

[Chach]

You are getting CaSi board and ceramic fiber mixed up. The CaSi board is for insulating under the floor bricks and is rigid, the ceramic fiber (blanket) is for insulating the dome and is flexible. You cannot use ceramic fiber under the floor or the board on the dome.

There is a ceramic fiber board insulation that is rigid so I guess what snipe is asking what are the differences of ceramic fiber board and calcium silicate board. Im guessing its just the material used to create it and im sure structural strengths would differ but who knows without seeing both product data tech sheets for each product. examples would be Kaowool board is a ceramic fiber board and johns manville thermo gold 12 is a calsil board.

[UtahBeehiver]

Then I stand corrected..

[Chach]

Then I stand corrected..

That wasn't my intent to correct anyone because I too saw the same 2 products and was wondering the same things...I saw your build read your process and learned tons. I saw what you used and modeled my insulated layers after your build and thats how I made my decision of thermal gold 12 and foamglas.

Ricky