My current gas/wood fire kiln is the second iteration of a design detailed in a book by Joe Finch, a potter/kiln builder from the UK. The title of that book is "Kiln Construction - A brick by brick approach." The first build of this kiln was larger, about 20 ft3 larger than this kiln shown here. This kiln has a 40 ft3 ware chamber and is the third kiln I have built in my lifetime, and most likely the last high fire kiln I will build.

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The kiln was originally conceived for firing "Soda" works. But I have yet to fire the kiln with soda. I do however fire the kiln with both gas and wood. It is possible to fire this kiln with wood only, but I prefer the ease of using gas and add wood to the fire during the "reduction" phase of the firing for the "falling ash effects."

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The kiln is built of "hard brick." Hard fire brick is a tough refractory material that can withstand the effects of "Soda" and "Salt" firing and also wood firings. The hard brick also gives good "flashing" onto the pots, that is, it reflects heat in a way that that makes marks onto the pottery which I feel adds "the mystery of fire" to my pots.

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Actually, there are two layers of brick that form the walls of my kiln. The interior layer as I have said is hard brick. The second outer layer is "Insulating Fire Brick." Many modern kilns are built with only Insulating Fire Brick. Those kilns fire faster and are more energy efficient. For me however, I sacrifice the energy efficiency for the artistic flashing effects I get with the hard brick interior.

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Another thing I like about the design of my kiln is that with the outer insulating layer of firebrick, I get a slow cooling effect which promotes beautiful crystal growth in my glazes that results in a palatial finish on my pots, in my estimation.

 

The Technical aspects of my kiln are as follows:

• 41"x41"x41" Ware Chamber = 40 FT3

• Sprung Arch Kiln Design of hard brick interior

• Exterior layer of insulating firebrick (2700 Deg F)

• 4" 2700 DEG F Ceramic Fiber Blanket over hard roof bricks

• 2 - EF Johnson 345 Power Burners w/Baso switch safety valve

• 40 IN2 exhaust flue

• 81 IN2 chimney base and lower 4 FT chimney up to damper

• 40 IN2 exhaust flue at chimney damper

• 81 IN3 chimney up 4 additional FT

• 6 FT 12" DIA (113 IN2) double wall stainless steel stack w/exterior Ceramic Fiber blanket insulation

• Additional 6 FT 12" DIA (113 IN2) double wall stainless steel stack through shed roof

• Wind and Rain Cap atop chimney