KILN BUILDING
@ MECA, Portland, Maine
18 cuft downdraft IFB to replace an old Alpine updraft.
This project was a fun challenge to maximize stacking volume while staying within weight and space limitations. After a number of draft variations Professor Mark Johnson and I settled on a full frame kiln plan (no block foundation) using a 6.75" thick wall. This solution provides excellent insulation and keeps the weight to a minimum. The 9x6.75 brick simplified, and stabilized, layup of the kiln by not having separate interior and exterior walls to tie together.
18 cuft downdraft IFB to replace an old Alpine updraft.
This project was a fun challenge to maximize stacking volume while staying within weight and space limitations. After a number of draft variations Professor Mark Johnson and I settled on a full frame kiln plan (no block foundation) using a 6.75" thick wall. This solution provides excellent insulation and keeps the weight to a minimum. The 9x6.75 brick simplified, and stabilized, layup of the kiln by not having separate interior and exterior walls to tie together.
@ Timeless Tile, Hampden, Maine
This project was a rehab of an insulating brick crossdraft kiln fired with gas and wood. Deterioration from exposure to the wood atmosphere was most pronounced around the firebox and flue exits (some previous relaying of brick was also noticeable at the back wall) The front wall had shifted substantially and required tearing it out and rebuilding. The car was relaid and the door frame extended to provide better anchoring of the door brick. Deteriorated brick was scraped free of loose/glazed surface and recoated with a stucco-like coating of high alumina castable.
This project was a rehab of an insulating brick crossdraft kiln fired with gas and wood. Deterioration from exposure to the wood atmosphere was most pronounced around the firebox and flue exits (some previous relaying of brick was also noticeable at the back wall) The front wall had shifted substantially and required tearing it out and rebuilding. The car was relaid and the door frame extended to provide better anchoring of the door brick. Deteriorated brick was scraped free of loose/glazed surface and recoated with a stucco-like coating of high alumina castable.
Mini-soda @ Walpole, Maine
This 17cuft gas fired kiln is a testing/proving ground for a soft-brick coating resistant to the corrosive atmosphere of salt and soda. Relocated from a local site to my studio, the move was easy with the help of N.C. Hunt Lumber truck and all-terrain lift. Grateful to Nate Willever for getting a start on this kiln; bittersweet to have fired it for the first time in August 2018, but without Nate's pots in it.....
The coating is holding up well, though many more firings will tell.
This 17cuft gas fired kiln is a testing/proving ground for a soft-brick coating resistant to the corrosive atmosphere of salt and soda. Relocated from a local site to my studio, the move was easy with the help of N.C. Hunt Lumber truck and all-terrain lift. Grateful to Nate Willever for getting a start on this kiln; bittersweet to have fired it for the first time in August 2018, but without Nate's pots in it.....
The coating is holding up well, though many more firings will tell.
@ Rochester, Massachusetts
Grad school friend, Rosanne Sniderman, and I worked through a few versions/sizes before settling on this 75cuft car kiln for her large sculptural vessels.
Grad school friend, Rosanne Sniderman, and I worked through a few versions/sizes before settling on this 75cuft car kiln for her large sculptural vessels.
@ Cape Neddick, Maine
This design is a gas/wood hybrid constructed in 2015. This design includes a roll-out floor to allow for easy reach/loading of the back shelf and a swing door closure. Fired twice in the month following its completion, it performed well during both a gas only firing and a gas transitioning to wood firing.
@ Oceanfire Pottery - Amy Clark
York, ME potter Amy Clark had 7 pallets of brick from a kiln she dismantled and moved from upstate NY. Original kiln was a large 6 burner downdraft walk-in. New design is a crossdraft sprung arch, adds a kiln car, and features that allow Amy to fire with wood, or propane, or both!
@ Tyler Gulden Ceramics
during June and July 2013, construction of a 38cuft propane fired, downdraft salt and soda kiln. Hardbrick interior with 2300º insulating brick backup insulation. First firing in early August went off without event and produced great results right out of the gate. Kiln interior walls were "glazed" with a simple glaze mix (care of Carolanne Currier) providing protection of the brick from the caustic effects of the salt and soda, as well as limiting the initial amount of soda and salt needed to achieve the desired surfaces on the ware (just 2kg salt and 2 kg soda produced a heavy soda/salt glaze on bare/exposed clay surfaces)
@ Chases Garage Artist Studios and Gallery
Cait Guinta and Ned Roche opened Chases Garage Artist Studios and Gallery in York, Maine in May 2013. Construction of a propane fired 30 cuft (45 cuft total) downdraft insulating brick reduction kiln began in June. A double pivot door makes closing up the kiln a cinch. Seven days of building and the structure was complete. Special thanks to Ned for his help with the build, and Phil for his welding expertise.
Burners mounted and plumbed in August with first firing of the kiln September 5.
Burners mounted and plumbed in August with first firing of the kiln September 5.