A treated refractory material includes a refractory material having a plurality of pores, wherein the refractory material comprises aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, magnesium oxide, chromium oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, calcium oxide, fireclay, silicon carbide, tungsten, mullite, dolomite, magnesite, magnesium aluminum oxide, chromite, magnetite, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; and a protective material disposed within the plurality of pores of the refractory material, wherein the protective material is selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, chromium oxide, silica, rare earth oxides, rare earth zirconates, titanium oxide, mullite, zirconium oxide, zirconium silicate, yttrium oxide, magnesium oxide, iron oxide, and blends thereof.