42" Pizza Build.

[david s]

Yes red bricks are fine for the chimney, but consider the strength of the gallery that holds them up. The higher you go the heavier it is and the more stress you place on the gallery. That is part of the reason a stainless flue can be a better solution.

[lowspeed]

Yes red bricks are fine for the chimney, but consider the strength of the gallery that holds them up. The higher you go the heavier it is and the more stress you place on the gallery. That is part of the reason a stainless flue can be a better solution.

Any guidance on how to make sure the gallery is strong enough?

[Gulf]

Buttress. Then spread the weight of the chimney over the entry from the buttresses.

[lowspeed]

Crack...

[david s]

It appears that you have fired the dome before insulating it. This increases the chances of cracks developing because there is a greater difference in inside and outside temperatures which leads to an equivalent difference in thermal expansion difference. It’s much better to allow a prolonged period of drying in natural conditions, then insulate, before commencing the drying fires.

[MarkJerling]

Any guidance on how to make sure the gallery is strong enough?

Or, do a squirrel tail, with the chimney up on the top of the dome. That will only require minimal buttressing of the entry arch.

[lowspeed]

It appears that you have fired the dome before insulating it. This increases the chances of cracks developing because there is a greater difference in inside and outside temperatures which leads to an equivalent difference in thermal expansion difference. It’s much better to allow a prolonged period of drying in natural conditions, then insulate, before commencing the drying fires.

You might have a point, but you also might not know if cracks form once you cover it. How would you know if there's cracks? from the inside it looks perfect.