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The efficiency of a blacksmith’s work depends on the quality of forging. Whereas, forging relies heavily on the quality of the forge, heat retention, and the craftsmanship of the blacksmith himself. You can improve heat retention with ceramic fiber blankets.
A forge is only useful if the heat remains trapped inside the hearth. A forge itself is not that efficient, and a significant amount of heat is lost, and resultantly more fuel is consumed.
Ceramic fiber blanket is an excellent way of increasing heat reflection and retaining heat inside the forge. A ceramic fiber blanket can also be used to provide resistance against thermal shock and insulation for low heat storage.
Here is a list of the best ceramic fiber blankets that provide exceptional thermal efficiency.
The best insulation blanket for beginners and experts.
This ceramic fiber blanket offers high-temperature insulation and that too at an affordable price.
Why do we like it?
Here we have an outstanding ceramic fiber insulation blanket from HM&FC. It is a high-quality blanket that can withstand 2,300 °F in continuous use. Due to its durable build, it is non-reactive with moisture.
Most of the low quality ceramic fiber insulation blankets cannot handle direct flame and melt under such conditions. This product provides the necessary protection against direct flame while delivering exceptional heat retention.
If you are planning to use this product to line the inside of a forge, rest assured that this insulation blanket keeps the body of the forge cold. No matter how hot it gets inside the hearth, the blanket keeps all the heat confined inside the firepot.
You can even make your own custom kiln insulation layers, line kiln shelves, or maybe use it as a heat shield. A good quality fiber insulation blanket can make your life a lot easier.
Despite being used for hours, this insulation blanket does not budge. Although, anything above 2,300 °F will melt it.
One caveat
All fiber insulation blankets tend to give out carcinogenic elements upon heating, so we would recommend you wear the necessary protective gear.
This fiber blanket comes at an economical 2 square feet size with dimensions 24” x 12” x 1”. It is a great option for beginners who are looking for a blanket that is not too big and serves its purpose.
Interestingly, many users have used this product as a sound deadener and for sealing the gaps of a fireplace door. Be it a propane gas forge or your good old fashioned furnace; the HM&FC insulation blanket can significantly improve the heating capacity.
And guess what, the product is shipped with an Endura blade and a glove. The blade makes it easier to cut the insulation blanket for a custom lining.
Pros
Economical size.
High-grade insulation blanket that can withstand temperatures up to 2,300 °F.
Durable under direct flames.
Cons
Can itch even with gloves on.
May give out carcinogens at high temperatures.
Bigger and better.
It is strong, inexpensive, and a perfect match for lining oversized forges.
Why do we like it?
Here we have another great ceramic fiber insulation blanket from HM&FC. This product can also withstand a continuous use temperature of 2,300 °F. For most of the forges and kilns, this is more than enough.
Mineral wool and vermiculite are reactive with moisture, but this bad boy is non-reactive towards it. Isn’t it great?
It is a perfect choice for lining propane gas forges, home foundries, kilns, and even for glass bead making.
The 0.4” thickness is a bit thinner than the previous product from HM&FC, but it can serve the purpose. You can use the provided blade to cut the blanket in your desired shape and size.
From glass slumping in molds to building custom kiln insulation layers, this ceramic insulation blanket ensures durability and reliability.
As mentioned earlier, the direct flame can damage a substandard insulation blanket. HM&FC ensures that its 8# density insulation blankets can handle direct flame contact and work under compression or tension.
The lower density (#6) is a good option where insulation is required on a shelf or between two plates.
For blacksmiths, we recommend using #8 density as it can bear direct flame contact without melt the ceramic fiber blanket.
For added rigidity and improved flame resistance, the use of Colloidal Silica is recommended.
Due to its exceptional heat reflection abilities, this product is Amazon’s choice with hundreds of users.
With its spacious 0.4” x 7” x 22 ft. dimensions, you can even line a small forge twice. And the package also contains a pair of nytril gloves and a blade.
Surprisingly, you can enjoy this product at an affordable price.
Pros
Excellent direct flame resistance.
Spacious dimensions.
Competitive price.
Cons
Some users have reported the blanket to be too fragile.
The width is less than what’s advertised by the manufacturer.
An excellent choice for high-temperature kilns.
A heavy-duty insulation blanket that has been designed to work at high temperatures.
Why do we like it?
If you’re looking for a premium ceramic fiber insulation blanket that can handle temperatures as high as 2,400 °F, we would suggest you consider this one.
Being made in the USA, it is a bit pricey, but the unmatched thermal efficiency and low heat storage capacity makes it a worthy purchase.
The 60” x 24” x 1” insulation blanket from Morgan Ceramics can be used in forges, kilns, and home foundries. Also, the 1” thickness blanket is double needled for extra strength and rigidity.
Like all other products on this list, this insulation blanket can also withstand direct flames. And most importantly, the lack of organic binders avoids smelly burnouts.
Cheap insulation blankets are typically made of Kaowool. The superior Cerablanket used for this product is far better than Kaowool in terms of lesser impurities, maximum temperature limit, and lower thermal conductivity.
All these useful features make this ceramic fiber insulation blanket a perfect choice for blacksmithing, knife making, wood stove insulation, brazing, bead-making, and welding.
Still not convinced? This product comes with a light-weight CM-Ceramics knife for cutting the insulation blanket easily.
This blanket can also be installed using pins or bolts. The flexibility of this product is truly amazing.
If money is not the issue, this high-grade blanket is definitely something you should consider.
Pros
Higher temperature endurance.
Large size to line several small kilns.
Cons
Expensive.
Cheap, but effective.
Despite being a low-budget item, this insulation blanket can outperform the majority of its competitors.
Why do we like it?
This Kaowool ceramic fiber insulation blanket from Lynn Manufacturing is a great option for lining your forge.
Being made of high-grade 8lb density Cerablanket, this product offers high insulating value. Also, the blanket is strong and durable. Low-grade blankets are too fragile and but this one promises strength and longevity.
As for the thermal conductivity, the R-value for this insulation blanket is roughly 2.5 per inch. With 1” of insulation and 1000 °F on the hot side, this ceramic fiber blanket keeps the cold side at 220 °F.
If you want your ceramic blanket to last for some time, make sure it can withstand direct flames and high temperatures for continuous use. Luckily, this fireproof insulation blanket can keep up with direct flames and withstand 2200 °F in continuous use.
For intermittent usage, 2400 °F can be tolerated, but anything higher than that will cause the blanket to shrink and ultimately melt at 3200 °F.
With 46% alumina, 54% silica, and impurities being less than 1%, this product is a great option for kiln insulation, blacksmith forges, and furnace insulation.
Cerablanket is a superior refractory material that promises higher temperatures, better heat retention & reflection, and exceptional insulation. If you’re just starting out, lining your forge with this blanket can significantly improve the efficiency of your work.
Even if the forge is relatively bigger, the 12” x 24” dimensions can easily fit in.
To ensure a high-grade build, this blanket is manufactured by ISO 9001 certified Morgan Thermal Ceramics.
If you’re looking for a premium ceramic fiber blanket that can get the work done at an economical price, you won’t regret buying this one.
Pros
Premium quality Cerablanket.
Temperature tolerance of 2400 °F.
Affordable.
Cons
Does not come with a knife.
Everything we recommend
The best insulation blanket for beginners and experts.
This ceramic fiber blanket offers high-temperature insulation and that too at an affordable price.
Buying options
Bigger and better.
It is strong, inexpensive, and a perfect match for lining oversized forges.
Buying options
Cheap, but effective.
Despite being a low-budget item, this insulation blanket can outperform the majority of its competitors.
Buying options
An excellent choice for high-temperature kilns.
A heavy-duty insulation blanket that has been designed to work at high temperatures.
Buying options
The research
How to stick a ceramic fiber insulation blanket inside the forge?
Can you work without a ceramic fiber blanket?
Can you cut the insulation blanket?
Who should get this?
Anyone who wants to improve the heat retention and efficiency of their stoves should consider buying a ceramic fiber insulation blanket. People use it for all sorts of jobs, including insulation, sound deadening, and lining furnaces.
Blacksmiths, knife makers, jewelers, welders, or anyone who works with a hearth requires an insulation blanket.
Why you should trust us?
Our team is always looking out for the best products in the markets. With several expert blacksmiths on board, we are continuously testing out new products to help you make the right purchase.
All of our lists are updated regularly and are supported by customer reviews, expert opinions, and on-field testing.
How we picked?
With tons of options available, we had to set some criteria for picking the best ceramic fiber insulation blankets. Following are some of the factors we considered while compiling this list:
- Continuous use temperature tolerance: We had to make sure that all the products on this list can handle high temperatures for an extended period. Also, blacksmiths require continuous heating and reheating of stocks. So, we have included only those products that can handle at least 2200 °F on continuous usage.
- Thickness: The thickness of the blanket is directly related to its insulation capabilities. All of the insulation blankets on this list are capable of handling high temperatures on the hot side while maintaining a significantly low temperature on the cold side.
- Material: Ceramic fiber insulation blankets are either made of Kaowool or Cerablanket. The latter is superior as it offers higher temperature tolerance, lower thermal conductivity, and lesser impurities.
How we tested?
We went through hundreds of different products and narrowed down our options, considering the factors mentioned above. Secondly, we consulted the customer reviews to filter out only those products that have been tested and used by thousands of users.
Care and maintenance tips
All of these ceramic fiber insulation blankets may give out carcinogenic compounds at higher temperatures. Wearing safety goggles and a good quality respirator can keep you safe.
Also, when applying the insulation blanket, make sure you have cut it according to the contours of your forge.
How to stick a ceramic fiber insulation blanket inside the forge?
The majority of the propane forges come with a stainless steel build. Sodium Silicate (water glass) is the most appropriate compound to stick the blanket inside the forge.
Sodium Silicate can withstand temperature as high as 2000 °F.
Can you work without a ceramic fiber blanket?
Most of the gas forges are shipped with a pre-applied ceramic fiber blanket, but they’re good for nothing.
To improve the overall heating efficiency of the forge and better insulation, buying a high-grade insulation blanket is a MUST.
Can you cut the insulation blanket?
Yes, you can use a knife/blade to cut the blanket into your desired shape. Some of the manufacturers even provide a specialized blade for easy cuttings.
Conclusion
Ceramic fiber blankets have proven to be an efficient way of improving the heating capacity of a forge. With a superior quality blanket, you can save a lot of fuel and get the most out of your forge.
Apart from lining your forge, a good quality ceramic blanket can be used for a wide range of applications. So, it is always preferable to look for a blanket that can provide an excellent price to quality ratio.
This list comprises only those products that provide a balance between price and performance. With all these great products, you can easily narrow down your options and buy the best one.
