Ray Found on thu 26 apr 01
I am interested in building a small wood kiln, what is your design? Do yo=
u
have any pointers. Our general plan right now is to build most of it
underground into a slope.
Thanks
Ray
Merrie Boerner on thu 26 apr 01
Ray wrote : "I am interested in building a small wood kiln, what is your
design? Do you
have any pointers. Our general plan right now is to build most of it
underground into a slope."
Hi Ray,
My kiln building workshop (with pictures of kiln) was featured in
Ceramics Monthly, June 2000...."The Incredible Hog Chain Groundhog" (Hog
Chain is a community near my house) The shape of the kiln is simple....a
rectangle with a huge fire box in the front and a tall chimney in the
back......with the 110 cubic foot pot chamber in-between. When Lowell Ba=
ker
and I began discussion about what type of kiln I wanted, there was a
possibility of getting a grant to "preserve a Southern Tradition". I told
him that a groundhog would be nice, but that I didn't want to crawl on my
belly to get into it. So, he designed the kiln with a high enough pitch t=
hat
I can stand up in the fire box and two people fit very comfortably in the
pot chamber. The kiln is built on a slope, but not in the ground. It is o=
n a
concrete slab, with a 23" step up from the fire box to the pot chamber. I
have been told that it could be called a "mini anagama". We got the grant
for "Community Service"...so it doesn't matter what we call the kiln
anymore....we named her "Mother".
Since we built this kiln, I have visited many other woodfiring kilns
and have seen some beauties, but my heart belongs to Mother. Building an=
d
firing your own wood burner is like choosing, caring for, and pleasing a
mate. In the beginning of this relationship, I just wanted to
fire....often....feel the passion. With each firing, I became more
experienced in fulfilling the kilns needs in a timely fashion. Satisfacti=
on
with the end product has become as important to me as taming the roaring
flame. Mel pointed out to me that the kiln is my "tool".......I'm a bit m=
ore
romantic than that, but he is right.
So, in choosing what type of tool you would like to build......I woul=
d
advise you to
1. fire with other people in their kilns
2. research, and talk to others who have built kilns
3. find out what materials (bricks, wood, manpower) are available in your
area and adjust your plans accordingly
4. take your vitamins : ) and exercise.
Best wishes with your endeavor !
Merrie in Mississippi
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