What Kind of Bricks Do I Need to Build a Wood-Fired Pizza Oven?

Firebrick

• The most common brick used in the constructing of a pizza oven, firebrick is named that because of its resistance to extreme temperatures like those found in the oven during baking. Firebricks measure slightly larger than the standard-sized red clay-based bricks. They also have a sandy white hue that won’t blacken and discolor from use. The bricks are made from fireclay, a clay that’s not only resistant to heat but also conducts heat poorly, meaning it won’t lose heat -- a preferred insulator for the oven’s interior.

Regular Brick

• Regular brick, the common style of brick recognized by most people, is a little smaller than firebrick and is made from regular clay versus fireclay. A dye is added during the baking process to give the bricks their distinctive red coloration. Bricks of this type are used on the oven’s exterior, around the perimeter of the firebrick, usually to add additional insulation to prevent heat from escaping. These bricks are also used decoratively around the hearth, as well as to provide arch support.

Cinder Blocks

• Common cinder blocks are used as the base for the oven and are available in 8-, 10- and 12-inch lengths. The choice of which kind to use in an oven is essentially a matter of preference and availability for the oven builder; obviously, the larger 12-inch blocks are costlier. Should the builder desire it, thinner half-blocks are also available that are half the thickness of a 10-inch block and can be used to build a dividing wall between the base to provide two storage compartments for the wood.

Glass Bricks

• Sometimes referred to as glass blocks, these bricks are actually made from tempered fiberglass and are extremely resistant to burns and high oven temperatures. Their inclusion in the construction of a chimney isn’t required; however, due to their transparency, the bricks allow onlookers and guests to see into the oven and watch the flames bake the pizza.