Hank Murrow on mon 27 aug 01
becky wrote in part;
>
>is it possible to fire with wood and still get real colors?
>here is why i ask. i want to have a kiln at our summer home in the
>mountains of colorado. we have an endless supply of dead wood on the
>property so it seems a shame to use any other fuel source. however i tire
>quickly of nuetral colored pots which are all i tend to see when i look at
>wood fired work. am i looking in all the wrong places?
>
>i'm also concerned about the high fire danger in our area. should i be or
>not?
Dear becky;
Yes. Think about it. Woodfire is the interaction of wood ash (flux)
with the alumina and silica at the surface of the body. With slips whether
poured, combed, brushed, or sprayed, you can give the surface different
metal oxides to work with. Try a mix of 4 parts rutile to 1 part Co which
will likely give some wonderful green when attacked by the Calcium-loaded
wood ash. Go for the color girl!
The two anagamas I have faired in were shut down for the summer season. You
can, however build a sparl arrestor with fine (10 mesh) stainless steel
screen, mounting it as a cylinder with a solid top.
Good Luck, Hank
becky schroeder on mon 27 aug 01
dear smart people,
is it possible to fire with wood and still get real colors?
here is why i ask. i want to have a kiln at our summer home in the
mountains of colorado. we have an endless supply of dead wood on the
property so it seems a shame to use any other fuel source. however i tire
quickly of nuetral colored pots which are all i tend to see when i look at
wood fired work. am i looking in all the wrong places?
i'm also concerned about the high fire danger in our area. should i be or
not?
and one last question. i am a total novice when it comes to kilns and have
never fired anything but an electric kiln altho i have loded all types. am
i a fool to undertake this? i'm very willing to hire a person to come help
build and teach me so should i go that route? any recomendations on that
front?
opps--one more. what books are recommended on the subject. i'm a book
junkies..
thanks so much for all you folks give to us less knowledgeble.
becky schroeder
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Dave Finkelnburg on tue 28 aug 01
Becky, Merrie,
Where I live in Idaho the air is 17% less dense than at sea level.
Therefore I had to make the burner ports and flue in my kiln 17% larger in
total cross-sectional area than if I had built the same kiln on an ocean
beach. Air is less dense at a higher elevation. It is a misconception that
elevation will limit firing temperature. Design the kiln for the elevation
and you'll do fine.
Good firing!
Dave Finkelnburg
>good questions. just shows my ignorance of of my desires. altitude is
>8,000Ft.
ILENE MAHLER on tue 28 aug 01
What a great article you wrote in C.M. Thanks for sharing your
knowledge...Ilene in Conn
Hank Murrow wrote:
>
> becky wrote in part;
> >
> >is it possible to fire with wood and still get real colors?
> >here is why i ask. i want to have a kiln at our summer home in the
> >mountains of colorado. we have an endless supply of dead wood on the
> >property so it seems a shame to use any other fuel source. however i tire
> >quickly of nuetral colored pots which are all i tend to see when i look at
> >wood fired work. am i looking in all the wrong places?
> >
> >i'm also concerned about the high fire danger in our area. should i be or
> >not?
>
> Dear becky;
>
> Yes. Think about it. Woodfire is the interaction of wood ash (flux)
> with the alumina and silica at the surface of the body. With slips whether
> poured, combed, brushed, or sprayed, you can give the surface different
> metal oxides to work with. Try a mix of 4 parts rutile to 1 part Co which
> will likely give some wonderful green when attacked by the Calcium-loaded
> wood ash. Go for the color girl!
>
> The two anagamas I have faired in were shut down for the summer season. You
> can, however build a sparl arrestor with fine (10 mesh) stainless steel
> screen, mounting it as a cylinder with a solid top.
>
> Good Luck, Hank
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Dannon Rhudy on tue 28 aug 01
...>is it possible to fire with wood and
still get real colors?......
Yes, it is possible to fire with wood - or coal or
whatever - and still get real colors.
Look at David Hendley's website - http://www.farmpots.com
I believe, and see some of his very colorful and
lively work. He always fires with wood.
regards
Dannon Rhudy
Merrie Boerner on tue 28 aug 01
I have seen very colorful glazes produced by wood firing potters....but, it
is my taste to fire for the natural reaction of the clay, flame and ash. I
do use bright glazes to please the customers occasionally.
About firing in the mountains......what would the altitude be ? Wouldn't
that be a problem in reaching cone 11 or 12 ?
The "dead fall" trees really don't have much heat value...they are rotting.
I had those same thoughts about all that wood just going to waste when I was
at Lowell's cabin at about 11,000 feet above sea level. But, then, I can't
drive down the highway without pointing out the wood that I could be
gathering if only I had the chain saw.
Building a fire in the forest is a scary thought with all the news of wild
fires out of control.......but, I do understand your desire.
Merrie
David Hendley on tue 28 aug 01
It is indeed possible to 'get real colors' when firing with wood.
All the neutral color pots you see are simply an indication of
what is the most common and popular 'look' at the moment.
Fire danger is a real concern with a wood-fired kiln. I personally
am not as concerned with embers escaping out the chimney as
with sparks and heat from fireboxes igniting near-by buildings
and kiln sheds.
However, if it hot and has not rained for 6 weeks (which means
every July and August in Texas), I will wait until a good rain to fire.
A wood-fired kiln, even a small one, is a pretty big deal, Becky.
I don't want to discourage you, but you are approaching this
for very wrong reasons if your primary impetus is to use the endless
supply of dead wood on your property rather than buy fuel.
It is a huge jump from firing an electric kiln to building and firing
a wood kiln.The more logical course of action would be to build
and fire a gas kiln first. If you still want more involvement, then
consider going to wood.
David Hendley
Maydelle, Texas
hendley@tyler.net
http://www.farmpots.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "becky schroeder"
To:
Sent: Monday, August 27, 2001 9:28 PM
Subject: wood firing questions
> dear smart people,
>
> is it possible to fire with wood and still get real colors?
> here is why i ask. i want to have a kiln at our summer home in the
> mountains of colorado. we have an endless supply of dead wood on the
> property so it seems a shame to use any other fuel source. however i tire
> quickly of nuetral colored pots which are all i tend to see when i look at
> wood fired work. am i looking in all the wrong places?
>
> i'm also concerned about the high fire danger in our area. should i be or
> not?
> and one last question. i am a total novice when it comes to kilns and
have
> never fired anything but an electric kiln altho i have loded all types.
am
> i a fool to undertake this? i'm very willing to hire a person to come
help
> build and teach me so should i go that route? any recomendations on that
> front?
>
> opps--one more. what books are recommended on the subject. i'm a book
> junkies..
>
> thanks so much for all you folks give to us less knowledgeble.
>
> becky schroeder
>
becky schroeder on tue 28 aug 01
oooh merrie,
good questions. just shows my ignorance of of my desires. altitude is
8,000Ft. not worried about the wood as it doesn't rot here. too damn dry.
i have a big cleared area and a 5,000 gallon water tank available for any
emergencies. and since my dad was MR BOYTOYS we have the chain saw and the
strong impoverished 22 year old son to get the wood out of the forest. lots
of scrub oak, pinon. pine and misc i can't think of at the moment. someone
else mentioned it wouldn't be worth it just for a summer place but we intend
to retire there in 5-10 years so not worried it wouldn't get the use needed
to make it worthwhile. i an planning longterm and not on a whim.
thanks for your thought, they help.
becky schroeder
>>
>I have seen very colorful glazes produced by wood firing potters....but, it
>is my taste to fire for the natural reaction of the clay, flame and ash. I
>do use bright glazes to please the customers occasionally.
>About firing in the mountains......what would the altitude be ? Wouldn't
>that be a problem in reaching cone 11 or 12 ?
>The "dead fall" trees really don't have much heat value...they are rotting.
>I had those same thoughts about all that wood just going to waste when I
>was
>at Lowell's cabin at about 11,000 feet above sea level. But, then, I can't
>drive down the highway without pointing out the wood that I could be
>gathering if only I had the chain saw.
>Building a fire in the forest is a scary thought with all the news of wild
>fires out of control.......but, I do understand your desire.
>Merrie
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
Kurt Wild on wed 29 aug 01
At 02:51 PM 8/29/01 -0500, you wrote:
>I've been thinking about what my next wood-fired kiln should be since I am
>getting older and lazier. How about this- gas burners to red-heat, bourry
>box, and it's a ...car-kiln?
>
>Sylvia
The above is really also my idea of a great kiln! Our little train came
close. Wish the top over the chamber was like the advancer shelves though!
I would love , however, to have a wood kiln where you simply take a
telephone pole and feed it (on some rollers) into the kiln a little at a time.
Kurt
karen terpstra on wed 29 aug 01
Hi Becky,
I'm not sure where you are moving to in CO but there are several wood
kilns out there. I would suggest finding a couple people to talk with
and fire with. They can tell you about the altitude, fire safety issues
etc. You might try Doug Casebeer at Anderson Ranch in Snowmass. He
would have some names and I believe he has plans available for a bourry
box. Other Clayarters out there might be able to help you with finding
the woodfireres in your area.
But, the main thing is to be involved with the entire process so you
know how much work there is. Try to fire some of the kilns. There are
many types of wood kilns and more ways to fire. Be involved with the
wood preparation, cleaning the kiln, furniture, wadding, the list goes
on and on.
I have heard of too many people that jump into this and they don't
realize all that is involved. For example I know a guy who built a huge
and expensive anagama and had fun with it for about two years then
people in the area lost interest and he couldn't find the help to do the
firings. It sat around for years. The brick is probably someone's
patio by now.
I recall another case that I think I read about on Clayart where someone
complained after the first firing that the whole thing was too much work
and not worth it.
Do the research. There are many, many articles and a few good books out
there. Good luck and keep us informed.
regards,
Karen Terpstra
> Subject: Re: wood firing questions
>
> becky wrote in part;
> >
> >is it possible to fire with wood and still get real colors?
> >here is why i ask. i want to have a kiln at our summer home in the
> >mountains of colorado. we have an endless supply of dead wood on the
> >property so it seems a shame to use any other fuel source. however i tire
> >quickly of nuetral colored pots which are all i tend to see when i look at
> >wood fired work. am i looking in all the wrong places?
> >
> >i'm also concerned about the high fire danger in our area. should i be or
> >not?
>
Lee Love on wed 29 aug 01
Becky,
I wouldn't dismiss a wood fired kiln as quick as some would have
you. When someone was talking about getting tired of their sawdust kiln,
the thought occured to me that if they had enough bricks for a sawdust kiln.
they could just as easily build a small wood kiln. I built one out of a pile
of broken bricks and a couple old kiln shelves, based on the 60 minute kiln
people have talked about here. I call it the Gomie Gama (gomie means trash.)
You can see photos of Steve Mills 60 minute kiln here:
http://www.mudslinger.demon.co.uk/fire.htm#c:website
I've only bisqued in it (bisqued some stuff for the Noborigama) but after a
low fire for a couple hours to dry it out (many of the bricks had green moss on
them) it reached red heat in less than an hour. I used wood from a fruit
tree the landlord trimmed. About a wheelbarrow full of wood. Not much at
all. Cut it all with a 15" hand saw. Don't have to be macho to do that ;^)
I'll glaze fire in it when I get some time. I figure it will be a great glaze
test kiln and I plan on experimenting with charcol, yohen chamber style. It
really appeals to my sensibilities to do yohen type work in a Gomie Gama.
It only look about 30 minutes to make.
Listening to folks talk here, I made the firebox about twice as big as
the ware chamber. It is way over powered and I plan on making the ware
chamber larger and adding a chimney before glaze firing. I'll just use a
stainless steel woodstove tube for the stack.
Lee In Mashiko
Below is a copy of Stephen's post on Clayart:
Stephen Mills on thu 7 oct 99 (stevemills@mudslinger.demon.co.uk)
I personally find it sad that the trend should be towards ever larger kilns,
especially at colleges where they should be teaching their students how to
build affordable kilns that one person can, at a pinch, fire on their own. This
is the basic philosophy behind the Playing With Fire courses we run each spring
over here. The best example is the one I call the 60 minute kiln, because
that's how long it took a group of 5 of
us to build the first one. Double cross draught, made out of buff house bricks
(dry laid) and thick kiln shelves, held together with angle iron and fencing
wire, fires to cones 10/12 in a full day. Great fun, lovely pots.
Steve Mills
Bath
UK
home e-mail: stevemills@mudslinger.demon.co.uk
work e-mail: stevemills@bathpotters.demon.co.uk
own website: http://www.mudslinger.demon.co.uk
BPS website: http://www.bathpotters.demon.co.uk
Mark Mondloch on wed 29 aug 01
Whether or not wood-firing is 'harder' can depend on your own back-ground
and your present situation. It sounds like you have familiarity with
chainsaws, et., a good physical location and supportive help so you have a
head start. If you're drawn to glazed surfaces and plan to work mostly by
yourself, consider building a smaller fast-fire type kiln that will fire in
about a day. Your turn-around time will be quicker which makes learning
easier and weather reports are usually more accurate for a day at a time.
I've been thinking about what my next wood-fired kiln should be since I am
getting older and lazier. How about this- gas burners to red-heat, bourry
box, and it's a ...car-kiln?
Sylvia
---
Mark & Sylvia Mondloch
Silver Creek Pottery & Forge
W6725 Hwy 144
Random Lake ,Wi 53075
HotArt@silvercreekpottery.com
http://www.silvercreekpottery.com
Cyberpotter@AOL.COM on thu 30 aug 01
In a message dated 8/30/01 12:22:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
kurt.l.wild@UWRF.EDU writes:
> >I would love , however, to have a wood kiln where you simply take a
> telephone pole and feed it (on some rollers) into the kiln a little at a
> time.<
What if you cut a telephone-pole-diameter hole in the top, and stand the pole
up in it, and let it burn itself down into the kiln?
;-)
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