I've actually tried something similar on a backyard pizza oven build. We went mostly with fire bricks for the main chamber (where it gets hottest), and then used refractory cement to fill gaps and seal around edges where direct heat wasn't as intense. Honestly, after about three years, it's held up pretty well—no major cracks or deterioration yet.
One thing to keep in mind though: refractory cement can shrink slightly as it cures, so you might get tiny gaps forming later on. Nothing catastrophic, but something to watch out for. Personally, I'd still lean towards bricks whenever possible because they're easier to replace individually if something does go wrong down the line. Cement repairs can be messier and trickier...
But yeah, combining both materials can definitely work if you're strategic about placement. Might be worth experimenting a little—just keep an eye on how it ages over time.
Sounds like you've got a pretty solid setup going. I've seen similar combinations of fire bricks and refractory cement hold up nicely in outdoor kitchens we've designed. You're right about the shrinkage issue though—it's subtle but can become noticeable over time. Still, if you're already three years in without major cracks, that's a good sign. I'd say just keep an eye out during seasonal temperature swings; that's usually when minor issues pop up. But overall, seems like you've done your homework and have things under control.
Your setup sounds pretty solid to me too. I've had mine going for about five years now, similar materials—fire bricks and refractory cement—and honestly, minor cracks haven't caused any real issues. One thing I've found helpful is doing a quick visual check after winter ends, since that's when temperature swings seem to do their worst. But three years without significant cracking? You're definitely on the right track...just keep an eye on it occasionally and enjoy your fire pit.
Your setup sounds reassuring to me too, especially since I'm pretty new to all this. Just built my first custom fire pit last summer and honestly, I've been a bit paranoid about safety and durability. A few things I've noticed so far:
- Small cracks appeared in mine after the first winter, but like you said, nothing major. I freaked out at first, but after reading around and talking to neighbors, seems like it's pretty common.
- Good tip about checking after winter—I hadn't thought about temperature swings being a big deal, but it makes sense. I'll definitely be doing that from now on.
- One thing I did differently was adding a metal ring liner inside the bricks. Not sure if that's overkill or not...but figured it couldn't hurt? Anyone else tried something similar?
- Also curious—do you guys cover your pits during winter or just leave them exposed? I've heard mixed opinions on whether covering actually helps prevent cracking.
Anyway, three years without significant issues sounds like you're definitely doing something right. Makes me feel better about mine too, haha. Guess I'll just keep an eye on things and try not to stress too much...
I've actually never bothered covering mine, and it's held up fine for about five years now. Honestly, I think sometimes covering can trap moisture and cause more issues than it prevents. Also, about the metal liner—it's not overkill exactly, but I've found that liners can warp over time with heat exposure. Mine got pretty distorted after a couple seasons, so just keep an eye on that...
