Kiln Building Workshops

[John Dorsey]

I am really interested in attending a workshop on how to build a soda kiln. I know there is something at Archie Bray but I'm a little too late for this year. Suggestions? Any one have a really good experience somewhere? All input welcome - thanks!

[Deborah Woods]

I would love, love, love to attend a workshop on building a soda kiln so if you find out anything on the East Coast I am in. I was just talking to Bill Buckner about the same thing so if I hear anything through him I will let you know as well. The idea of building any large kiln completely frightens me to be honest. A lot of work to not do it right. I got The Kiln Book and find it a little intimidating to look at. I hate to admit it but I think I need someone to say "lay this brick here, and then put that there . . .".

[Michelle Hamilton]

Deborah;
I'm in the same boat. Bought the book but it seems a bit overwhelming. I'm building mine alone and I am copying a version of the soda kiln at our local studio. It is a pretty basic box made of hard and soft brick. It is top loading with thick shelves put across the opening and then topped with soft brick. It works really well....at least at the studio.....crossing my fingers for mine as well. I could really use a class so if you hear of anything be sure to post! If you want, I can send pix of the one I am copying. I am finding The Kiln book helpful for brick laying but am still searching for more info on the science of firing and the proper use of the burner. Knowing how to properly do reduction and set the flame and burner to work most efficiently does not seem to be information readily available in simple to understand terms. A class would really help!

Thanks Michelle

[Johnny Patrick]

Any of you live near Cheney WA? It's close to Spokane, on the east side of Washington. I'd like attend one too. Maybe we can get someone interested if we're all colse enough.

JP

[Michelle Hamilton]

Nope live in St. Louis and like most money is really tight and LD travel would be a bummer........good idea though

Michelle

[mark knott]

I just built a kiln or it is almost finished just north of Atlanta. A cross draft soft brick reduction kiln. I also built the one at my studio. It really is not very hard. I think most anyone could do it with some help from someone who has built a kiln. Also I think Doug Casebeer of Anderson Ranch is or has built a kiln at one of the colleges in South Carolina. You may want to email him and see if he has done the workshop/project yet. Good luck to all and if I hear of any kiln building events I will be sure to post the information. Mark Knott

[Michelle Hamilton]

Hi All;
For Kicks I googled "kiln building workshop" and found one in August with John Britt. It does not look soda specific but with modifications perhaps it would be applicable.

http://www.johnbrittpottery.com/wks.htm

Michelle

[Deborah Woods]

Michelle, as far as the specifics of firing go I would check out the book "The Art of Firing" by Nils Lou. I don't specifically own this book yet but have read great things about it and it will be one of the first books I do read once I am ready to build a fuel kiln. I just recently came across a workshop about building a soda kiln on the East Coast and can't remember details. Will post if I do.

[Michelle Hamilton]

Thanks Deborah, I found his book on Amazon. Did some searching on Clayart and found quite a bit of information on Minnesota Flat Top Kilns. This may be the ease and size I need. I know he discusses these in the book. Ordered it and will see what he says.
m

[Joy Tanner]

Mark Peters of Bakersville, NC builds kilns for people in various places. He fires a wood and soda kiln, but builds combinations of wood or salt, or gas kilns. He offers a wood firing workshop, but you could check with him to see if he's going to do a kiln building workshop sometime soon. His website is: www.pinerootpottery.com

[Mark Peters]

Hi all, I just found this site. Thanks for the plug Joy! I have your pots from Andrew's.
Yes I teach the occasional kiln building workshop. I'm teaching a kiln building class at Appalachian State University this fall. We will be building a wood kiln the first half of the semester and then class work the second half. It will be open to the general public but unless you live near Boone, NC it may not be a feasable format.
Good Luck

[York Haverkamp]

i guess you may have already figured all this stuff out. but i couldn't resist writing. because i felt the same way you did this winter. and i talked to a couple people, looked at a couple kilns, and spent a lot of hours planning and just dove into it. i had to figure things out as i went, and some advice i was given messed some things up. but that is expected and i have learned from it. my kiln is awesome, i love it, and the pots are coming out fine. good luck. and if you already built one, or are now confident, then great. peace