Sakrete Maximizer

[edsiajb]

Re: Sakrete Maximizer

For my area, the entire hearth will cost about $15 more using the Maximizer.

I should have said that (for my area) a 80 lb bag of regular Sakrete is about $4, and a 80 lb bag of Maximizer is $7.50. But 80 lbs. of Maximizer provides 67% more volume of material...so far less bags are needed...and for my entire hearth it will cost about $15 more to use the Maximizer.

[deejayoh]

Re: Sakrete Maximizer

I should have said that (for my area) a 80 lb bag of regular Sakrete is about $4, and a 80 lb bag of Maximizer is $7.50. But 80 lbs. of Maximizer provides 67% more volume of material...so far less bags are needed...and for my entire hearth it will cost about $15 more to use the Maximizer.

but why spend the extra money? You don't want any heat transfer to your hearth. At all. Buy $15 more insulation. That's where you want to put your money.

[edsiajb]

Re: Sakrete Maximizer

but why spend the extra money? You don't want any heat transfer to your hearth. At all. Buy $15 more insulation. That's where you want to put your money.

Because it is stronger??? (5500 psi vs 3500 psi - not that 3500 is not strong enough). The other thought is that it would be less of a heat sink than the regular concrete (since it has air in the aggregate).

Seemed like a good idea, but that is why I was asking.

[deejayoh]

Re: Sakrete Maximizer

regular concrete is more than strong enough to hold an oven. As to the heat properties, if it is a heat sink at all then you have built your oven wrong.

[edsiajb]

Re: Sakrete Maximizer

regular concrete is more than strong enough to hold an oven. As to the heat properties, if it is a heat sink at all then you have built your oven wrong.

OK...thanks. I'm planning on a 4" (not 3.5") insulating layer of 5:1 vermiculite/concrete. Is that sufficient insulation under the oven floor and dome?

[stonecutter]

Re: Sakrete Maximizer

Regular 4000 psi concrete mix, .6 CuFt 80# bag - $3.70 (this is real concrete mix, not big box fence post garbage).

5500 psi Maximizer, 1 CuFt 80# bag - $6.75

I meant to ask, when you say garbage, is it because the ready mix plants batch the big box bags with inferior material?

[Tscarborough]

Re: Sakrete Maximizer

They claim 3000 psi, but every bag that I have seen tested (not by them) came in well below that. It is suitable for setting posts, that is about it.

There are several reasons to use Maximizer:

It is strong, with the addition of fibers and latex bonding agent, you can easily pull 7-8000psi, which means instead of a 4" slab, you can use a 2" slab, thus reducing the amount needed further.

It is lightweight, so fewer bags = more coverage. This can help with persons without access to a truck.

The downside is that it is prone to flash setting and does not finish as well as a normal good concrete mix.

[stonecutter]

Re: Sakrete Maximizer

The only one I've used in the past was the 5000 psi from quick crete, and I added acrylic to boot.

[edsiajb]

Re: Sakrete Maximizer

.....
It is lightweight, so fewer bags = more coverage. This can help with persons without access to a truck......

And in my case, will save an extra 50 mile round trip in my truck as I can haul all of the Maximizer for the hearth in one load.

[deejayoh]

Re: Sakrete Maximizer

And in my case, will save an extra 50 mile round trip in my truck as I can haul all of the Maximizer for the hearth in one load.

Well that's worth the $15 right there, probably just in gas.