Frank Tucker on tue 30 apr 96
Hi All,
We just fired a phoenix fast fire wood kiln built with hard brick instead of
soft brick as suggested.^10 in 13 hours.We still can't figure what the mouse
holes are for or the dampers.We kept the mouse holes closed and the dampers
open all the way!My friends Sheila And Tony Clennell and my wife Victoria
want to know of other peoples experiences with this kiln.Any hot tips? All
this typing nearly killed me Linda!!!! God I feel Good that kiln's off!
Frank Tucker
David Stuchbery on sat 4 may 96
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi All,
> We just fired a phoenix fast fire wood kiln built with hard brick instead of
> soft brick as suggested.^10 in 13 hours.We still can't figure what the mouse
> holes are for or the dampers.We kept the mouse holes closed and the dampers
> open all the way!My friends Sheila And Tony Clennell and my wife Victoria
> want to know of other peoples experiences with this kiln.Any hot tips? All
> this typing nearly killed me Linda!!!! God I feel Good that kiln's off!
>
> Frank Tucker
Hi Frank,
We have a Phoenix Fast Fire at La Trobe University in
Bendigo, Victoria Australia. Unfortunately I haven't fired this
particular kiln myself, but have observed many of my students fire
this kiln successfully over the years. We actually use this kiln
for wood-fired salt.
My understanding is that the THREE dampers are so placed as to
allow the firer the opportunity to direct the flame through the
wares, depending on the stack and shape of the wares being fired.
Stacking will vary from time to time with varying effects on the
actual firing. Sometimes a kiln may be hotter on one side than the
other - playing with the dampers will enable the firer to direct
the flame more efficiently to the spots where it is required most.
Thus, hopefully evening the kiln out. Similarly as with most kilns,
pushing all three dampers in, will have the effect of blanketing
the kiln atmosphere, introducing varying degrees of reduction and
evening the kiln out from top to bottom. Using the dampers in
conjunction with different approaches to stoking does have
differing effects on the wares.REDUCTION and OXIDATION. It is a misnomer
to think that with wood firings, that just because there is lots of
smoke, that the kiln is reducing.
As with any wood kiln, in thinking about the stacking and then the
firing - "imagine the flame as water finding its way through the
stack and then eventually out the chimney."
As for the 'mouse holes', sitting here at home I can't remember
their actual position, but do know that they are built into this
design for exactly the same purposes as the varibles which the use
of the dampers in the firing allow.
Our kiln is also made from dense brick.Which hasn't effected its firing,
some of the firings going to cone 11.
Janet Mansfield editor of 'Ceramics Art and Perception' is the person
from whom we got our design. Apart from producing a couple of the worlds
best Ceramics Magazines, 'Ceramics Technical' included - she is an expert on
firing this type of kiln. My reason for mentioning Janet is that she
attends many conferences on a global basis, and you may get the
opportunity to meat her.
Hope some of this helps.
David Stuchbery.
---------------
David Stuchbery
School of Art & Design Ph (054) 447-279
La Trobe University, Bendigo d.stuchbery@bendigo.latrobe.edu.au
Henry Pope on mon 6 may 96
Hello fast firers - Where can one find a set of plans for the Phoenix kiln?
I imagine a number of us would like to know. Or please send to my e-mail
address.
Thanks,
Henry Pope
mikpo@comet.net
Frank Tucker on mon 6 may 96
This is dumb but once again I deleted instead of printed the response from A
ustralia about our wood kiln.Would you re send it please.
Thanks so much.
Frank Tucker
Tuckers Pottery Supplies
Cone Art Kilns
Jack Troy on mon 6 may 96
"......My reason for mentioning Janet is that she
attends many conferences on a global basis, and you may get the
opportunity to meat her," writes David Stuchbery.
"Meating" Janet would be a terrible loss to the ceramics community.
The definitive article on the Phoenix Fast-fire kiln was written by
Gerry Williams in _The Studio Potter_ vol. 7 #2, in 1979. I reprinted
the article in my _Woodfired Stoneware and Porcelain_, Chilton, 1995.
Jack Troy
Frank Tucker on wed 8 may 96
David,
Thanks a lot for re-posting your message.I guess I was a little general with
my question.I understand what the dampers are for although the mouse holes
seem like overkill to me as far as air goes.We put a couple of ports above
the back end of the firebox for salt.I have Jack's book and it does include
the design but not much about firing.Gerry Williams' article is more
informative but that is for a softbrick kiln.I know Janet so perhaps I'll
drop her a line.I am sure we will get along without all this but we thought
it would be interesting to pick the brains of other with the same
kiln.Thanks again for taking the time.
Frank Tucker
Tuckers Pottery Supplies
Cone Art Kilns
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