Installing a furnace door of a brick oven

The furnace door in a brick oven is one of the most important elements that directly affects the durability and efficiency of the structure. With its help, fuel is supplied to the combustion chamber, the combustion process is regulated and all this is done with great comfort. It would seem - what's so complicated? In fact, unpleasant surprises are not uncommon - after several months, or even earlier, the door starts to hang, large targets appear around it and the brick crumbles, which can lead to disastrous consequences. Let's consider how to fix a door to a brick furnace.

How to install a fire door?

Furnace doors come in several forms:

• Cast iron. They are not popular because of their high weight, difficulty in installation and fear of high temperature.
• From stainless steel. Most often found in bath furnaces, as they confidently tolerate contact with water.
• Glass. The most attractive option is excellent performance, as well as the ability to observe the combustion process.

Installing the furnace door of a brick oven is a responsible task. It must be understood that under the influence of high temperatures, the metal expands, this as a result can lead to ruptures in the masonry if it is made too tightly. Therefore, a small gap should be left during the installation of metal elements.

Before proceeding with the installation, you should inspect the door and the frame to it (as a rule, they are included) for damage, skew, and opening should be easy. If the furnace is coal, then in the product you need to drill a hole of 13 mm to remove gases. Since the door is subjected to the greatest mechanical and thermal effects, each mounting option must be carried out in strict accordance with the technology and installation rules.

Wire mount

In this case, it is recommended to use a nichrome wire, since it is characterized by heat resistance, high ductility and durability. Before installation, it must be connected to the door frame, in which, as a rule, there are special holes (if not, then they must be pre-drilled). The diameter of the wire is selected depending on the thickness of the seam in the masonry and should be 2-3 times smaller. For stability and reliability of the installation, the wire is bricked up by at least 2 bricks, while keeping it in a taut state, which makes the whole process very time-consuming.

Mounting with stainless steel sheet

The modern and most common method because of its simplicity and high reliability of the result. The design is made from the corner and has the same geometric dimensions as the door, with one side being placed between the bricks and the other directly in the masonry, after which it is covered with mortar. Features of the process:

• Protection of joints and masonry from high temperatures is provided by silicon thermal insulation. In addition, it compensates for the expansion of the metal when heated.
• The best stability is achieved by self-tapping screws that are screwed into the brick.

Experts recommend combining this method with wire fastening - this will achieve excellent reliability and durability.

Reliable fixation with screws or bolts

The method is the least popular and is considered not the most reliable, since the design of the door and frame has considerable weight, especially if they are made of cast iron. Before installation, holes are drilled in the brickwork with a frame, after which installation is carried out with fixing with screws or bolts.

IMPORTANT. Be sure to leave a small gap between the brick and the masonry, because with the thermal expansion of the metal, the screws can deform and disrupt the entire structure.

Tips and tricks for a reliable installation

Despite the fact that each of the methods is simple and does not require certain skills, it is worth paying attention to some points:

• First of all, the installation should be done with the door closed, but not locked - at a certain moment it will open in the right position;
• in order that the open lock does not lead to the opening of the furnace, it is necessary to reject the structure from above by 2-3 mm;
• if the height of the frame does not coincide with the masonry, then it is necessary to compensate for the difference with brick fragments or make furrows in the brick.

Regardless of the method chosen, the key to reliable fastening and many years of operation is the careful and responsible performance of work, as well as the use of reliable materials. Remember that the stove is made for decades and saving in this case simply does not make sense.