Kilns and Firing

ABOUT WOODFIRING:

Wood has been employed as a fuel for heating ceramics since the first clay pots were fired for daily use. Wood is used to heat low temperature ware to the very high temperature ware and undoubtedly everything in between. The firing technique we use not only heats the kiln with wood but also makes use of the ash left from the burnt wood. The pots are loaded into the kiln unglazed; as the kiln is fired the chimney draws flame and ash through the ware chamber, the ash landing on the pottery. At the highest temperature ranges, this ash melts and interacts with the clay surface creating the glaze and surface decorations. Flame also passes by the work leaving its distinctive mark. Sometimes glazes are used and affected by the addition of natural ash. This technique is most closely related to Japanese tunnel kiln firings (Anagama), as well as woodfiring traditions in Korea, China, and France (just to name a few). The U.S. also has a heritage of wonderful woodfire potteries, most notably "groundhog" kilns used by potteries in the eastern United States. Woodfiring for natural ash glaze is now widely practiced among contemporary American potters and ceramic artists. This tradition is hundreds of years old but remains distinctive, as potters use woodfiring in many ways to develop personal style. Woodfiring requires constant attention; we take six-hour shifts, stoking the kiln once every 5-10 minutes. Our firing schedule lasts three days and the kiln is allowed to cool about a week before unloading the finished work.