Cut bricks in fireplace

[Rulle86]

Hello,

I plan to replace our insert with a new one with better efficiency.
To make it really neat, I would need to trim about 2 cm off the brick on one side.
What would you say is the best way to do that?

My first (perhaps naive) thought was to try with a chisel, but maybe it's difficult to get it right?
Is an angle grinder the only option? If so, how do you manage further inside the stove, is it possible to reach all the way in with an angle grinder, so to speak?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jonatan79]

Have you calculated that carefully? How much more efficiency would you actually get with a "better" insert? How often do you use the fireplace and do you use it for heating?

 

[Rulle86]

It would be much better and nicer.
The cassette will be replaced, so the question is how I do it in the best way.

 

[Jonatan79]

It's probably fire-rated brick and it's good to save it. My guess is that you'll need to chip it loose and carve out next to it and then re-mortar it back.

 

[Snappahaneklanen]

You mean that you want to make the space for the insertion 2cm larger? So to cut/mill/chisel away 2cm over the entire surface?

 

[Rulle86]

Simply remove the innermost row of bricks all the way to the "bottom" of the fireplace and then replace it. Can you trust that the structure will hold so that nothing collapses? That might be the best way... Is it not worth using an angle grinder otherwise?

Thanks for the input!

 

[Rulle86]

You mean that you want to make the space for the insert 2cm larger? So cut/mill/chisel away 2cm over the entire surface?

Yes, cut 2 cm say on the left side all the way in to the "bottom" of the stove.

 

[Stefan N]

There's firebrick on the sides and they are usually only 1" thick, so if you chip them off you have just the right measurements.

 

[Rulle86]

There is fireproof brick on the sides and they are usually only 1" thick, so if you remove them, you have the right measurements.

That sounds too good to be true then. I haven't had a chance to check it yet.
So you don't have to have fireproof brick around the insert for it to be approved?

 

[roli]

Firebrick is used on surfaces that the fire can reach. If you have a cassette, it's what "keeps order" on the fire. And around the cassette, you then need non-combustible material, which "regular" brick fulfills.

 

[Rulle86]

Fireproof brick is used on surfaces that the fire can reach. If you have a cassette, then it is the one that "keeps order" on the fire.

Sounds like a dream then. The work effort reduced drastically!
I'll get back when I've checked how thick the brick is.

 

[Rulle86]

The brick is about 2 cm thick so the plan is to knock it down.
Do you use mortar afterwards to tidy up the edge after knocking down the brick?
There will be a cover plate around the cassette but I want to make sure the hole doesn't become too large.

Thank you for the help!