Brick by Brick
Personal account, dedicated to my parents Skip ahead to the kiln build DOING A JIG 2/10 I know how my […]
Kiln Building
Doing A Jig
When I was first asked what type of kiln I wanted I had only dreamy visions of what it
Welding Together
It’s the end of November, 2016, only a few short days after Thanksgiving. Between sheets of rain, we packed
Prime Time
At each stage of this kiln build I didn’t think it was possible to be more excited in any other future steps. Looking back at this cold day in November, warm enough to paint but excitedly shivering in the cold, I realized I had so many more moments and shots like this giddy one of me I’d send to my sisters.
Above Board
When I look back at how quickly my little house-on-fire was assembled, as I’m in some testing phases, I’m impressed in touching the outside walls of the kiln there’s not even a hint that a fire is roaring inside save the sound of the burners.
Security Blanket
Security indeed. I’ve put all my hopes into this fiber blanket though I have seen it in action from my time in Raku and having my mom alongside me. Somehow we were put on “tank” duty with the propane tank and witnesses firsthand just how efficiently it is in keeping all that wonderful heat contained. In that case it was a rudimentary design, something of a wire structure with a handle and blanket inside over a burner similar to what I have.
Bricklayers Union
I have bricklayers and masons in my bloodline – from both sides of the aisle. In cutting and laying the firebrick, mixing and compressing the ceramic cement I felt that connection with my Dad. He shared little snippets of working with his uncle. I can tell still after all these years he is very proud of him. Even today he’ll talk about Orville and all he learned from him.
Cementing Ideas
By cementing the top edge it provides protection to the soft brick and keeps everything solidly in place from the walls inward. There’s a chance these bricks may move around when I do relocate it but I’ll probably need to fill the kiln with boxes to keep it from moving around. As mentioned earlier in this series of posts, we could have used hard brick as they are more hardwearing, but the downside to them is their weight, and if they are damaged it is a more difficult time to switch out a damaged piece. Soft brick can be pried out and pushed back in much easier. Yes, hard brick is quite a bit cheaper but they aren’t as insulating as soft brick either.
Smoke Like A Chimney
By cementing the top edge it provides protection to the soft brick and keeps everything solidly in place from the walls inward. There’s a chance these bricks may move around when I do relocate it but I’ll probably need to fill the kiln with boxes to keep it from moving around. As mentioned earlier in this series of posts, we could have used hard brick as they are more hardwearing, but the downside to them is their weight, and if they are damaged it is a more difficult time to switch out a damaged piece. Soft brick can be pried out and pushed back in much easier. Yes, hard brick is quite a bit cheaper but they aren’t as insulating as soft brick either.
Put A Lid On It
If you are just coming to this series of the gas #powerkiln and want to read through the build from the beginning, you can do that here. I’m happy to answer what I can. Anything extremely technical I will do my best to get you the answers you need. Calculations such as the burners and your final design size is best discussed with Ward Burner. All refractory materials are best sourced closest to you. My closest supplier was a 4 hour drive to Sheffield Pottery in Western Mass.