The hot‐face refractory lining is a key component of gasification systems. The refractory liner protects the gasification system from the high‐temperature corrosive gaseous and from the molten slag environment associated with the conversion of carbon feedstocks. This paper will discuss the effect of gasifier operating conditions and carbon feedstock slag/ash chemistry on the refractory service life. Particular attention is focused on the wear mechanism of chromia refractories, determined through postmortem analysis of spent refractory bricks from service in gasifiers. Also presented is the behavior of a phosphate‐containing chromia refractory with improved resistance to structural spalling.