ancient firing

ChrisM

i have been doing some reading lately on some old firing techniques (pit firing, bon firing, etc.) and i became interested in trying it. does anyone have any suggestions or opinions that they could share? is it worth trying? thanks

chris

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A bonsai is like a good marriage.You commit, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I DO!!!

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Joanie

Look for the Clayart digests. Clayart is a discussion board, full of potters who do pit firing all the time. You might even find a group in your area that has scheduled a pit firing, that you could join.

It's at clayart (dot) lsv (dot) ceramics (dot) org. Great group of people, who are glad to answer your questions. The archives are full of good information.

Around here, there is a group that pit fires and parties while the firing is occuring. The pit is enormous, and every takes turns stoking it. And drinks wine and eats potluck.

Joanie

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ChrisM

thanks joanie, i talked to may dad about my idea and he and i decided to build a brick firing kiln at my house, he doesn't want it at his house should look something like this sketch. should be interesting.

chris

Attached Images

temp 1.JPG (8.4 KB, 15 views)

__________________
A bonsai is like a good marriage.You commit, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I DO!!!

Joanie

Cool, Chris! Have you built a kiln before? Do you have a book about it?

There are a lot of factors that play into how the kiln is constructed, how far the firebox is from the main chamber, etc. The heat has to sort of baffle up and around the ware.

Earth, Air, Water and Fire....

Joanie

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ChrisM

yes, i have the book that i have been reading which shows how to make one. should be fun. i'll keep ya posted, and if anything ever comes out of it that is worth showing, i will post pictures.

chris

__________________
A bonsai is like a good marriage.You commit, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I DO!!!

kcpoole

Aww Chris Don't be like that!!

Show use the failures as well so we can all share the pain with you.

Sounds like a fun project

Ken

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bonsaimeister

Your design really reminds me of some of the older, greek kilns on the island of Crete. These however, were "walk in" size for the great amphoras (not bonsai size). This is a very interesting idea you have and I really look forward to seeing your progress. My ceramics teacher showed our class a similar model, but the city required a permit before building. Post some pics of your progress

best of luck,
bonsaimeister

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ChrisM

of course ken, i will show both, no harm in that.




not so much walk in size, reach in would better describe it, lol! luckily we are allowed to build "fire pits" for burning or bbq without being required to get a permit, and since mine will be small, i think with a grill plate on top, it could easily double as an outdoor bbq grill

chris

__________________
A bonsai is like a good marriage.You commit, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I DO!!!

morea

Dear ChrisM

2 Years ago i did a bonfire with just 3 pots in .
This was very spontanious and fun to do.
The pots were green as they went into the fire , 1 stayed oke.

This year i wanted to do a bonfire with pots again.
But the weather has been wet ,windy and not good for firing.
The bonfire will be raw again .
I built up a firingpit , far under is the ashtray ,
just above i made a kind of chaimber from gauze were the pots
are in during the whole firing.
Above that chaimber is the actual firing, you load from above.
The ashes fall down and the pots will be IN the glowing ashes.

I only will fire with 1 kind of wood , applewood , because i want the
ashes afterwards for glaze and maby it does something during firing.
Also i prepared the pots .
They are made of raku clay , already fired once and i put some things
at the outside to do some magic in the bonfire !!!
Here are some pictures , the firepit i did built up some
layers in the meantime.
Now i am waiting for dry weather for a few days ,
And i will be firing and jumping around , and wine and good time too.
Kind regards
Morea

Attached Images

	vuurplaats-met-appelhout.jpg (50.8 KB, 50 views)
	potjes--raku-zout-appel.jpg (44.5 KB, 49 views)