Help replacing firebricks on a 1979 Kodiak Stove

[Old_Skewler]

I have an 1979 Alaska Company, Inc. Kodiak wood stove, label serial no. 406. During annual cleaning, one of the upper rear-wall firebricks fell out. It is cracked, so I would like to replace it—and possibly replace some of the other damaged rear bricks at the same time.

The rear firebricks appear to be locked in place by the sidewall firebricks and the welded retaining tabs. I cannot figure out the correct removal sequence without forcing or breaking additional bricks. Has anyone worked on this Kodiak model or a similar stove and know whether the floor bricks, side bricks, or retaining tabs must be removed first?

Photos or a firebrick-layout diagram would be especially helpful.

 

[Burnin Since 1991]

I have an 1979 Alaska Company, Inc. Kodiak wood stove, label serial no. 406. During annual cleaning, one of the upper rear-wall firebricks fell out. It is cracked, so I would like to replace it—and possibly replace some of the other damaged rear bricks at the same time.

The rear firebricks appear to be locked in place by the sidewall firebricks and the welded retaining tabs. I cannot figure out the correct removal sequence without forcing or breaking additional bricks. Has anyone worked on this Kodiak model or a similar stove and know whether the floor bricks, side bricks, or retaining tabs must be removed first?

Photos or a firebrick-layout diagram would be especially helpful.

I can't provide a diagram, but I was faced with a similar situation recently. My woodstove is about 35 years old and the bricks have taken a beating over the years. They were locked in pretty tight. Rather than trying to figure out what was what, I started with the broken bricks. I used a really stout screw driver and a hammer (sometimes you gotta just go for it) and I started working the screw driver into the cracks and gently working them around. After about 30 minutes I had most of them out, but it started as a chunk at a time. I was able to keep 2 or 3 bricks.

Get a stout empty box and a pair of work gloves and go for it. The install pattern will reveal itself to you as you go. Also some of the bricks are probably different sizes. If the new bricks need to be cut to fit, an angle grinder makes quick work of it.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

The bottom of the bricks is probably held in place by the floor bricks.

 

[stoveliker]

Yes. I have a very different stove but the sides only come out after the floor bricks are removed.

 

[Murray01]

Draw a picture as you disassemble, taking measurements of the firebricks as you go. As mentioned above start with the floor, some bricks may be “glued” to the floor/walls/back with creosote or ashes packed between the bricks.