Firing The Fox Hole Kiln

After building the Fox Hole Kiln we tried to fire it three times... Each firing was a learning opportunity, but unfortunately, it also showed me that it wouldn't work...

After an initial few hour warm up, the kiln would reach cone 4 in the front within 12 hours and then flame would start to reach out the chimney. But upon firing for another 12, 16, and finally 24 hours longer, their would be no temperature increase and the clay started collapsing off the walls.

For the third attempt I tried to tweak out the kiln (added height to the chimney, better designed grate system, looser stack of work, installed a damper on the chimney, and tried to add more air flow in the front) but none of that seemed to have any response and it felt like I was just wasting wood...

But I don't mean to sound negative about it because it was a wonderful opportunity and teacher for how I want my work and ideas to develop. It felt great to stoke up the front and watch as that flame would work through the kiln to come out the chimney!

You can see some pictures of firing the kiln at : http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefflthompson/sets/72157600420270182/

Kiln Building- The First Fox Hole Kiln

My first attempt at building a kiln was very rustic. I wanted to start at the beginning of the wood fire process and so decided to dig a kiln out of the clay enbankment! With the help of my wife and a friend we dug a hole that was 7 feet long and sloped up to make the body of our kiln. We then dug straight down into the hillside to join up with the body to make our chimney. And in front of the clay hole we built a 3 foot long brick firebox.

To load the kiln, you had to crawl in through the front firebox (which measured 3 feet tall by 2 1/2 feet wide) and load the work on your belly. Not the most comfortable position to work in...

But I have to say that there was a really wonderous feeling I would get when laying in the kiln working with the clay bank to make pottery. It is that feeling that I want to embody in the soul of my work...

Pictures documenting the building of the kiln can be found at : http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefflthompson/sets/72157600224896425/

Pit Firing

Upon moving back to the Ohio Valley I was without a kiln to fire my work in. So, while I have been working on building a kiln, I have been playing with Pit Firing. It is actually a very enjoyable method of working and the results are highly distinctive while showing the process of fire.

These pictures document the process of Pit Firing as how I have been experiencing it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefflthompson/sets/72157600049344171/