Dannon Rhudy on tue 15 aug 00
....>I had the fortunate luck to participate in a Paper kiln construction and
>firing. I am sure there are many forms the paper kiln can take. Ours was
>very simple.......
Another version, and the simplest I've personally done, is
this:
Build a platform with concrete block. Cover with a layer
of fire brick. Leave a "niche" for feeding fuel, if this
is to be fired with fuel other than gas. We just leave out
one concrete block. Place your prepared wares on the platform,
stacking them up in a conical shape. Using long sticks of
wood (small branches or lath or scrounged whatever-you-find,
build a tipi shaped structure around the wares. You can then
add a layer of chicken wire, if you wish, or not if you don't.
I've done it both ways, works well in either case. Now,
using paper dipped in fairly heavy slip, cover the entire
exterior of the tipi, leaving a vent hole at the top. Use
multiple layers of the slip-covered paper. When you have
your structure well sealed (save the vent and the fuel hole),
you can begin immediately to fire. Place your wood/charcoal/
coal or whatever in the space for it, light it, and let the
firing begin. If you use wood or other combustibles of that
kind, you will need to stoke the fire for some time. If
you are just using a gas burner, then set it at a fairly
low heat and let it begin. The paper kiln will steam quite
a bit, but in fairly short order the water, and finally the
paper, will burn out. What will be left is a fairly thin,
fairly fragile clay kiln. You can fire these pretty hot.
I like to get mine up to at least 1500F - 1600F or so, for
best color on the work. If you're stoking, it takes some
time & work. If you're using gas, then it still takes time,
but less work. You can expect a good time and interesting
results.
regards
Dannon Rhudy
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