I’d like to build an outdoor cooking area and use wood as fuel. This area would be an elevated platform, 2-2.5 feet off the ground and about 6 square feet in surface area, to use with a grate and/or cast iron cookware. I planned to line the combustion area with fire brick.
This area will be exposed to the weather (e.g. sun, rain, snow, ice, freezing temps(0F/-18C)). I would like to use this in all seasons. I'm worried about moisture and heating wet/frozen bricks along with the freeze thaw cycle.
The fire brick I see in my area stores are geared toward fireplaces and wood stoves.
How well does fire brick stand up to the elements?
Will it last for more than a year or two?
Is there an alternate?