@@dennislock3415 We're one unfortunately placed solar flare away from going back to living in the 1890s (if only temporarily). Fortunately for us, we have almost the entirety of human knowledge at our fingertips that can be recorded or downloaded and protected offline in a Faraday cage. Plus, ya know, books and stuff.
Hello Andy. Back in the seventies i built a simular kiln out of red brick that i found at a dump. I had the same problem as you with breaking through a thermal plateau. I finally came to realize that by splitting the remaining fire wood down to 1/2" diameter or less i could get more btu's out of the wood per second. I think it is because when the kiln reaches plateau temps the smaller diameter wood literally explodes in the fire box instantly releasing all it's heat. Of course when you get to this point you will need a big stack of little sticks to push the temperature to the maxs. I have watched some of your videos and really enjoyed your approach to explaining your process, thanks, cheers.
I have a suggestion, try stoking the fire right after getting it as hot as you can get it by your normal means, then simultaneously build a moderately large fire just outside the bottom opening so the draft pulls the heat from the outside fire back into the kiln. The theory is that by superheating the air you use to burh the wood inside the kilns firebox, you cause that fire to elevate it's temperatures. Also pre-dry your fuel wood in your kitchen stove prior to firing the kiln or, better, use charcoal as your fuel. The water in your "dry" wood will suck the btu's out of the kiln like there's no tomorrow.
I was thinking it needed improved airflow under/up the fire and a slightly taller chimney to also increase airflow. We should be able to melt iron with this design :) Although this seems to sinter everything well enough. A good attempt. It must be nice to have adobe EVERYWHERE, just add water. :) I think.
Been working on a mud kiln similarish to this, loosely based off what I'd seen on the Primitive Technology channel. Glad to see that other people that also know what they're doing, do similar, historically based designed. Mine is squarish, probably not as efficient, but its just me trying something out for the first time at a parsonage, which is essentially a rent situation
I appreciate your including the thermocouple and temp readings. I didn't have a clue what temps to expect with my first open firing. The thermocouple I had was too short to reach the heart of the fire, but I was able to determine that, if you're trying to get a low fire range (700-900C), use smallish sticks and branches. Avoid store-bought firewood as the good stuff will send the temp far above the desired temp range. The result I got was temps in excess of 1000C and overfired pottery, including warping and cracking.
We used dried bovine manure which stinks something wicked but its traditional for getting better heat for firing native pottery. I know they used softwood and hardwood at different stages but idk specifics on that.
Kris 10 Touched on what I'm about to suggest. Take a really good look at *Rocket Stoves* If you build an Adobe kiln following how Rocket Stoves are built I'm pretty sure you could get the high temperature you need on a consistent basis. You might even be able to add a second shelf to fire more pottery as Rocket Stoves burn pretty hot on little fuel, small sticks or twigs. The trick I think would be to raise the firebox, and add a grate for the coals. The space underneath would allow for more through combustion and would allow the ash to fall away allowing more oxygen to get to the fuel.
In order to raise the temperature fast, try small thin (pencil shaped) pieces of wood. Like that it should reach about a thousand degrees centigrade after a while, constantly feeding thin wood into the firebox.
I am so amazed how patient you are...and you're lucky to have all the necessary tools and raw materials on hand...you've created an amazing sound as well hehe..
I'd absolutely love that pot for many reasons. #1, I'm teaching myself to replicate native pottery and this would make an excellent study piece. I could learn a lot just from having this pot in hand. Furthermore, you've been not only a teacher, but an inspiration to me. To have a piece of your work would be an honor. Finally, it's a beautiful representation of primitive art. I love it. Thank you so much for the time and effort you continue to invest in these videos. They are a priceless resource.
Just found you. Thank you for making these honnest video's! I ame a Dutch women, now living 2 years in Zweden. ( my englisch is not perfect but I hope you understand.) Now whe have the space to build a pottery oven. Your video's are verry helpfull !
I've wanted to do this for years, exactly the stuff you are doing. Dig up clay out back, fire it in something like this. I've experience with rocket stoves and I can't help but think that that technology would work great for firing pottery.
Hi Andy, i started my kiln this afternoon. I put a foundation and first course on top. I'll let it dry before i continue. Inside dimensions will be roughly 12 inches by 12 inches. Thank you for the videos and your hard work.
Andy I discovered your videos recently and have found them to be both informing and down to earth. I however had to comment that I clicked on this video because the thumbnail made you look like Queen Elizabeth II and William Christopher had a child.
Really just need two levels in your firebox to get that target temp in no time. You need the ash and smaller coals to fall to the lower level and introduce fresh fuel above for instant/clean combustion. Keep removing ash buildup from the lower level. It is refractory and hinders heat distribution from active coals. I used to woodfire to 2400F and could get to 800C in less than an hour. After around 1000C the fire is smokeless and very little ash is produced. Very much enjoying these videos!
I like using homemade fire starters. They are extremely cheap , efficient , and waterproof. I can keep around twenty five of them in an old prescription pill bottle. Simply take jumbo cotton balls and message each one with about a half teaspoon of petroleum jelly. They light very easily when you fluff each one out just a little. They shed water and each one will burn well for around five minutes each. Enough time to light even damp kindling.
I would LOVE to have the pot. I’m currently building an earthen oven/kiln for firing my own crucibles to use in calcining plant material later. I’m an alchemical herbalist student and found this video super helpful. Thank you for sharing your knowledge in traditional methods ❤️
@@AncientPottery So, how far down, do I need to process this clay? I realize how subjective and somewhat arbitrary that question is. If you're adding substantial amounts of sand, to stock clay, which I assume is high purity, then can I just not be so meticulous about extracting the sand in the first place?
Funny. I dug out my small 20x20 pond and ended up with 400lbs of clay. I tried bricks first. failed! This channel, and many others helped me refine it, make some decent pottery and even a few sculptures :) The best part of high technology is, low technology!
I have recently been looking into building myself a kiln and Having seen what changes you would make as a professional potter will be very useful for designing my own.
I am wanting to get into pottery in a few months when my dad is buying some land. Thinking of making a whole pottery setup with no electricity. Obviously the hardest part will be the wheel though I hope I will find a way. This kiln looks amazing
You don't need a wheel, dig your own clay, hand-build pots and fire in an outdoor campfire. Check out this video ruclips.net/video/1I4ikWwjNjk/видео.html
Swedish Tile Stoves & Masonry Heaters will give you a sense of how to build a kiln that takes very little fuel & remains hot got a long time after the fire goes out. Mr. Chickadee's RUclips channel has a couple of really small Masonry Heater builds. He shows the entire process. The cook stove build for the cabin & the tiny one for (I think) his blacksmith shop are both good. He had trouble with his first attempt at one in the timber-framed wattle & daub shop. I'm going to build one of this type of kiln for firing things!
Thanks for the video. Wanted to build a small primitive kiln for a pot or two at a time, and really like your built. Especially with your added suggestions to better it. Too the history pics and background. There’ll be another built in central California in the spring. Again thanks
That was fun, thanks. I also watched the Caliche video, sounds like where I live in California's central Valley. I think we gave plenty of limestone here too.
Awesome. Thank you sir. I built a small aluminum foundry almost identical to your design, a few years ago from stone and cob. I put a pipe on the end of a bellows and put that into the firebox, pumped it with my foot and used charcoal. Was actually able to melt copper like that. My design was much more narrow inside but I think the addition of a foot pump or bellows would definitely allow you to reach 800, some folks use a hair dryer too
I did something similar in my teenage years playing with fire like I shouldn't have been doing. I took a steel pipe and duct taped it to a shop vac. Throw that thing on reverse and it makes that fire burn HOT.
How about using castle blocks and facing the outside with clay? The castle blocks will naturally form a circle and you can go as high as you want...just thinking outloud!
I suppose that might work. You would want to get the layer of clay real thick though, like 2 or 3 inches. Otherwise the heat will start to cause the concrete blocks to degrade.
You need air. And you don't need an electric source of it. You said fanning the flames brought the temperature down but with air you can get this so hot it would smelt iron
Great Video! You would likely get better heat and more bang for you buck on wood burning if you put a rocket stove type box at the mouth of the fire box. It will also burn cleaner.
I am very interested, and may get into this. I live on the Oregon coast and all our soil has a lot of sand so would need to go inland probably to gather.
Thanks for the great videos Andy and the valuable information on processing wild clay. I’ve been making terra sigilata slips using wild clay. Looking forward to experimenting with them. The pyrometer hole seemed fairly large but I didn’t see it with the pyrometer installed. Did you put any clay around the pyrometer to stop air going in there? Building the firebox out a little, raising the kiln walls another course or two and narrowing the circumference a little may help. Please let us know if you try any of the suggestions in this chat.
That's basically a huge Rocket Stove. You can turn it into a vertical feed and use longer twigs, sticks, branches, or 2x4s, and stand them up. The fire will continue to be drawn upwards into the kiln, so the fire shouldn't catch outside the burn chamber. But the top hole and chamber should all be the dame diameter throughout the kiln and the height should be 3 xs the size of the diameter. This is hot enough to fire up borosilicate glass which we fire at 1080 F.
This video was made a while ago so I dont know if you ever built another one but I have been researching and have read that building the fire on its own grate above the ground will increase the temperature by allowing oxygen/airflow to come from beneath it , as well as a longer firebox and taller chimney, as you mentioned. I love your channel, btw. Your content is great and you do well with the camera also.
That looks so cool , I think you have a lot more wood in your desert then in mine , the Mohave. Interesting video , I designing a kiln using metal garbage can and propane , your kiln has like the same shape as my can and the flame I think will come from the bottom , I need to hit 1960 F. I want to build a chimney on it. I tested my new thermo meter on my gas BBQ it hit 850 F lol Thanks for the video.
Add a loosely hanging sheet of metal in front with a lip over the mantle. You will get a better draw. I used a hammered out piece of stovepipe over the open doorway of my wood stove to get it roaring. Small opening on top is sufficient.
great video and justwhat ive been thinking about for the last couple of weeks.. surely i must be able to make a smaller version of the japanese pottery craftsmasters, And BOOM! Andy has nailed my vision in mind. (ps i haven't read any books or other youtube videos on pottery or kiln making, i just have a primitive hands-on thought process in the mind! and my vision was this but with an underground tunnel for cool air updraft enhancing/turbo suction ???)
Is there a negative when firing clay pots to use some forced air to stoke the fire? Because if not a cheap hair dryer will work wonders on that fire. And if you need to go bigger a leaf blower will definitely do the job. I use a hair dryer in my charcoal and coal forges for knife making. And I use a leaf blower when I'm in a hurry burning brush and things in my yard.
Thanks for showing this; it looks very do-able in the 'burbs where I live. Maybe now I can finally make some pots, since I just want to make traditional Motu cooking pots for myself to use on naked flame. 😁👍
Hy Andy This was the type I wanted to build but just ran out of time... I still intend to build on about the same size. I was thinking I would spend the time to make my charcoal.. I'm also thinking I would use a hair dryer to get to that temperature you would need for glazes. I would be very happy to get that pot. I could use it in my demonstrations at the Rendzouse that we go to.. It's good to see your videos I'm able to pick a lot of ideas.. Hey stay safe and healthy
Ohhh...I would love to have a pot created by you Andy ! You represent what I have been trying to do ever since I found shards on the bank of the Mississippi River . It's been trial and error, looking for info here and there...and then I find you on the wild clay page . I love what you have done and how you share what you have learned. Thank you so much for the knowledge and insight you have gleaned....that is a treasure to me in itself . it is such a blessing to see some one who wants to know how it was done by the Ncient ones
@@AncientPottery, it seems, it needs a lot more than was added. Many people don't realize how much sand is needed. for regular Cob. When checking your test bricks, one can usually see the bricks with cracks need more sand. Sand is a good aggregate for making items that won't be heated quickly. For a permanent kiln, along with more sand Id recommend adding a good bit of ground-fired ceramics, at least mixed in an added to the 4-5" of cob inside the kiln.
@@ChrisBGramz4u This is not cob, this is adobe. And this is also not my first time making something out of adobe, I actually have a great deal of experience with it. I have a very good idea what is required. Thank you for your expert advice Chris, but I've got a pretty good handle on this.
This adobe type of kiln might not be the best option for you living in a damp environment. Maybe try using bricks instead ruclips.net/video/t692w4byVrw/видео.html
Im glad I ran into your channel and can’t wait to do my first pottery. Im thinking of buying clay from Hobby Lobby before trying to make my own. I live in Southern California. Would dirt over here work as clay? Wound a pizza oven work for firing?
I have used the Hobby Lobby clay so that works if you add temper. I have a student who lives in LA County and is successfully finding and using clay there. Not sure about the pizza oven, I have never tried that myself.
you should combine this adobe kiln with a j tube rocket. Look up rocket stoves, and more specifically the j tube rocket, which gravity feeds the wood so you don't have to work so much feeding fuel. also, the wood is elevated, allowing air to flow under and over it, producing a much more efficient fire.
If when building it you do it with an air inlet on the side to connect it to a fan or a hair dryer I think you can get more heat. That's what they do in DIY hobby foundries.
Yes I believe that is correct. The problem was that the firebox was full of coals, so I think I would need to remove most of the coals so I can restore the firebox with more wood.
I keep a close eye on the temperature and once it hits my target temp I let it start cooling. So length of time really sin't a factor here, only temp. So Total time firing, maybe an hour or an hour and a half, something like that.
Thank you for the answer, im trying different techniques with my kids, we just tried fire pit Viking style, but we would like some more ways, guess we'll need a termometer.
Another great video. I'm wanting to build my own kiln in the backyard. What temperature is needed for first firing? What temperature for glazing? How long do you burn the fire to ensure the pottery has been fired thoroughly?
It doesn't take long to "fire thoroughly", I just run it up to my desired peak temperature (which is usually about 850 C) then let it cool. I know nothing about glazing, I never glaze and am not sure it could be done in a kiln like this.
what do you mean by puddled adobe? i would call that a 'cob' kiln, and, in my lexicon, adobe is synonymous with 'brick' just unfired, but still made of cob. And have you ever seen Primative Technology's updraft kiln? I think you'd benefit from that type of firebox set-up.
Puddled adobe is similar to cobb, but cobb, by definition contains a quantity of straw, while adobe is usually just mud, I have seen that video, that is one of the improvements I have been considering. Thanks.
@@AncientPottery thanks for taking the time to respond. I've been storming through your videos the last few days. This channel is the real deal. Real no bullshit info. Wish i could have found it 5 years ago.
What a wonderful kiln, thanks so much for sharing. I was wondering could you do a glaze firing in kilns like this? I'm oping to make some functional ware to make it food safe.
I have never reached temperatures hot enough to melt glaze but that doesn't mean it can't be done. Although you can eat off of earthenware, our ancestors did.
@@AncientPottery Thanks, Andy, even better :) When I've tried doing research on it there's a lot of warning about bacteria gathering in it. But I guess history has been saying otherwise!
Hi Andy. I live in New Zealand. Maybe a bit late but is that pot still up for grabs. would be soo cool to have it shipped over here. Love your work. Cheers.Hadley
There's actually a channel called primitive technology that expressly uses, well, primitive techniques from various places to essentially do Bushcrafting, but more importantly teach/show others how it may have been done long ago (and maybe how to do it yourself if you want to) He lives in Australia and, admittedly, the location he predominantly does his projects in is more of a tropical forest type location, but as far as clay and pottery is concerned, the type of environment shouldn't matter very much so long as you have a clay source and water, but I digress. When I say he does things primitively, I mean it. He named his channel that way for a reason. He goes out with just his camera and a pair of shorts, that's all. Anything else, he makes. If he needs an axe, he makes it out of stone. Stones are his tools. He makes his own cordage and farms his own food. All while never speaking a word. Anyway, here's a link to the first kiln he made. Turn on captions for an explanation of each step. ruclips.net/video/uZGFTmK6Yk4/видео.html Also, here's a link to a video of him making a pot purely out of wood ash ruclips.net/video/rG6nzrksbPQ/видео.html Lastly is this crossdraft kiln ruclips.net/video/RnvtXikwrIU/видео.html
@@AncientPottery I apologize if it seemed like an endorsement, I more wanted to share information and other methods of making furnaces mainly because I personally find it immensely interesting, but also because I enjoy sharing information in hopes that it can be useful to someone. I can remove the comment if you would like as I completely understand how it can be seen as rude to link and talk about someone else's channel in them comments. I really do apologize as I meant no offense.
Thank you! What an interesting channel. So many subscribers and views, cool stuff! I enjoyed your thorough description of the channel, your enthusiasm was evident, thank you for the lead, I am looking forward to watching more on that channel, for going back to the basics has always been an interest and curiosity for me, an apparently for millions of others!
I love how we are all just casually continuing traditional pottery methods transcending back generations upon generations ❤️
So true!
these things won't die!!
Better to keep all the old ways,never know when you'll need them again.
What a lovely thought
@@dennislock3415 We're one unfortunately placed solar flare away from going back to living in the 1890s (if only temporarily). Fortunately for us, we have almost the entirety of human knowledge at our fingertips that can be recorded or downloaded and protected offline in a Faraday cage. Plus, ya know, books and stuff.
Hello Andy.
Back in the seventies i built a simular kiln out of red brick that i found at a dump.
I had the same problem as you with breaking through a thermal plateau.
I finally came to realize that by splitting the remaining fire wood down to 1/2" diameter or less i could get more btu's out of the wood per second. I think it is because when the kiln reaches plateau temps the smaller diameter wood literally explodes in the fire box instantly releasing all it's heat.
Of course when you get to this point you will need a big stack of little sticks to push the temperature to the maxs.
I have watched some of your videos and really enjoyed your approach to explaining your process, thanks, cheers.
Thanks Russell. This makes good sense, will try it next time.
More surface area! Great idea.
I have a suggestion, try stoking the fire right after getting it as hot as you can get it by your normal means, then simultaneously build a moderately large fire just outside the bottom opening so the draft pulls the heat from the outside fire back into the kiln. The theory is that by superheating the air you use to burh the wood inside the kilns firebox, you cause that fire to elevate it's temperatures. Also pre-dry your fuel wood in your kitchen stove prior to firing the kiln or, better, use charcoal as your fuel. The water in your "dry" wood will suck the btu's out of the kiln like there's no tomorrow.
Thanks, great ideas worth trying. I do however live in southern Arizona, just sitting outside will dry wood like it was baked in a kiln.
I was thinking it needed improved airflow under/up the fire and a slightly taller chimney to also increase airflow. We should be able to melt iron with this design :) Although this seems to sinter everything well enough. A good attempt. It must be nice to have adobe EVERYWHERE, just add water. :) I think.
Amazing how educated primitive civilization was! Thank you for showing how very simple it is.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Very informative and relaxing video. This makes me want to make one too
Give it a try. Thanks
Been working on a mud kiln similarish to this, loosely based off what I'd seen on the Primitive Technology channel. Glad to see that other people that also know what they're doing, do similar, historically based designed.
Mine is squarish, probably not as efficient, but its just me trying something out for the first time at a parsonage, which is essentially a rent situation
Cool, hope it works well for you.
I'm looking to build one myself, if you don't mind, what's the reason you think a square one would be less efficient?
I appreciate your including the thermocouple and temp readings. I didn't have a clue what temps to expect with my first open firing. The thermocouple I had was too short to reach the heart of the fire, but I was able to determine that, if you're trying to get a low fire range (700-900C), use smallish sticks and branches. Avoid store-bought firewood as the good stuff will send the temp far above the desired temp range. The result I got was temps in excess of 1000C and overfired pottery, including warping and cracking.
That’s a pretty high temp, you must have used a lot of firewood.
We used dried bovine manure which stinks something wicked but its traditional for getting better heat for firing native pottery. I know they used softwood and hardwood at different stages but idk specifics on that.
Kris 10
Touched on what I'm about to suggest.
Take a really good look at
*Rocket Stoves*
If you build an Adobe kiln following how Rocket Stoves are built I'm pretty sure you could get the high temperature you need on a consistent basis.
You might even be able to add a second shelf to fire more pottery as Rocket Stoves burn pretty hot on little fuel, small sticks or twigs. The trick I think would be to raise the firebox, and add a grate for the coals. The space underneath would allow for more through combustion and would allow the ash to fall away allowing more oxygen to get to the fuel.
Yes the old rocket stove, thank you.
In order to raise the temperature fast, try small thin (pencil shaped) pieces of wood. Like that it should reach about a thousand degrees centigrade after a while, constantly feeding thin wood into the firebox.
Thanks, great tip.
i see your movie of primitive convection kiln in my backyard,it is full of learning for me,thx so muh,u r v nice intelligent and gentle person,
Thank you so much
I am so amazed how patient you are...and you're lucky to have all the necessary tools and raw materials on hand...you've created an amazing sound as well hehe..
Thanks
I'd absolutely love that pot for many reasons. #1, I'm teaching myself to replicate native pottery and this would make an excellent study piece. I could learn a lot just from having this pot in hand. Furthermore, you've been not only a teacher, but an inspiration to me. To have a piece of your work would be an honor. Finally, it's a beautiful representation of primitive art. I love it. Thank you so much for the time and effort you continue to invest in these videos. They are a priceless resource.
You have given my heart for clay new life. Thank you so much!
You are so welcome!
Just found you.
Thank you for making these honnest video's!
I ame a Dutch women, now living 2 years in Zweden.
( my englisch is not perfect but I hope you understand.)
Now whe have the space to build a pottery oven.
Your video's are verry helpfull !
Thank you, your English is good.
I haven’t been using my wheel because I haven’t had access to a kiln. I’m probably going to make my own firing method thanks to you.
You are welcome, glad to hear it.
This is so helpful, im just starting out with wild clay pottery and im so glad i found this channel! Thanks a ton
Thank you for watching, I hope you are finding my videos helpful.
I really appreciate seeing the carbon line. Super cool and educational. Thanks!
Glad you liked it!
@@AncientPottery you're a natural teacher!
You are amazing Andy. Straight to the point.Thanks for sharing and teaching us.
You are welcome, thanks for watching
I've wanted to do this for years, exactly the stuff you are doing. Dig up clay out back, fire it in something like this. I've experience with rocket stoves and I can't help but think that that technology would work great for firing pottery.
Sounds great, I would love to see what you come up with.
If you have a vented space under your fire you can increase your fire more air and you can pull ash out nice kiln like the idea
yes
Hi Andy, i started my kiln this afternoon.
I put a foundation and first course on top. I'll let it dry before i continue. Inside dimensions will be roughly 12 inches by 12 inches.
Thank you for the videos and your hard work.
Glad to hear that you have started on a kiln. You are very welcome.
Andy I discovered your videos recently and have found them to be both informing and down to earth. I however had to comment that I clicked on this video because the thumbnail made you look like Queen Elizabeth II and William Christopher had a child.
You have discovered my secret, I am in fact the love child of Queen Elizebeth and William Christopher.
Really just need two levels in your firebox to get that target temp in no time. You need the ash and smaller coals to fall to the lower level and introduce fresh fuel above for instant/clean combustion. Keep removing ash buildup from the lower level. It is refractory and hinders heat distribution from active coals.
I used to woodfire to 2400F and could get to 800C in less than an hour. After around 1000C the fire is smokeless and very little ash is produced.
Very much enjoying these videos!
great looking homemade kiln! would be great to see a video of how you made it for people looking to replicate it or do something similar
Thanks, I have been planning that video for some time, so expect it within the next few months.
I like using homemade fire starters. They are extremely cheap , efficient , and waterproof. I can keep around twenty five of them in an old prescription pill bottle.
Simply take jumbo cotton balls and message each one with about a half teaspoon of petroleum jelly. They light very easily when you fluff each one out just a little. They shed water and each one will burn well for around five minutes each. Enough time to light even damp kindling.
Surprising to hear temperatures in Celsius. So used to folks from the US using Fahrenheit.
Ever tried using a bit of coal to boost the temperature in the kiln?
No, I never have but that would surely work great.
Very nice. I use an updraft kiln in Central Mexico where I live. They last many years with maintenance. They are very efficient. I love this video.
Thanks, I would love to make a video showing how those kilns are used in Mexico some time.
I would LOVE to have the pot. I’m currently building an earthen oven/kiln for firing my own crucibles to use in calcining plant material later. I’m an alchemical herbalist student and found this video super helpful.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge in traditional methods ❤️
You are very welcome, I am glad you are enjoying my videos. The pot has already found a home, thanks.
Beautiful work! Nice sound! Very enjoyed and appreciated. Thanks!
I had to dig a bunch of postholes and ended up with about 400lb of clay. So now I guess I have to built a kiln 😒
Sounds like a plan.
@@AncientPottery
So, how far down, do I need to process this clay? I realize how subjective and somewhat arbitrary that question is. If you're adding substantial amounts of sand, to stock clay, which I assume is high purity, then can I just not be so meticulous about extracting the sand in the first place?
Funny. I dug out my small 20x20 pond and ended up with 400lbs of clay. I tried bricks first. failed! This channel, and many others helped me refine it, make some decent pottery and even a few sculptures :) The best part of high technology is, low technology!
Try looking up rocket stoves if you haven't already. Might help with proportions on the part you want to put in front.
Thanks for sharing
I have recently been looking into building myself a kiln and Having seen what changes you would make as a professional potter will be very useful for designing my own.
Go for it!
Nice work
And I like the one with white colour inside
I would definitely pay for a course from you about building one of these kilns.
That's a good idea that I should consider, thanks.
oh yeah definately im interested aswell
I am wanting to get into pottery in a few months when my dad is buying some land. Thinking of making a whole pottery setup with no electricity. Obviously the hardest part will be the wheel though I hope I will find a way. This kiln looks amazing
You don't need a wheel, dig your own clay, hand-build pots and fire in an outdoor campfire. Check out this video ruclips.net/video/1I4ikWwjNjk/видео.html
East Asian wedged coil...for those with no wheel. Hand thrown.
Swedish Tile Stoves & Masonry Heaters will give you a sense of how to build a kiln that takes very little fuel & remains hot got a long time after the fire goes out.
Mr. Chickadee's RUclips channel has a couple of really small Masonry Heater builds. He shows the entire process. The cook stove build for the cabin & the tiny one for (I think) his blacksmith shop are both good. He had trouble with his first attempt at one in the timber-framed wattle & daub shop.
I'm going to build one of this type of kiln for firing things!
Thanks. Good luck with your kiln.
Thanks for the video. Wanted to build a small primitive kiln for a pot or two at a time, and really like your built. Especially with your added suggestions to better it. Too the history pics and background. There’ll be another built in central California in the spring. Again thanks
Glad to hear this was helpful, thanks!
wow, a great kitchen, huge
That was fun, thanks. I also watched the Caliche video, sounds like where I live in California's central Valley. I think we gave plenty of limestone here too.
Awesome. Thank you sir. I built a small aluminum foundry almost identical to your design, a few years ago from stone and cob. I put a pipe on the end of a bellows and put that into the firebox, pumped it with my foot and used charcoal. Was actually able to melt copper like that. My design was much more narrow inside but I think the addition of a foot pump or bellows would definitely allow you to reach 800, some folks use a hair dryer too
Only issue with that is that it DOES blow some of the ash up through the top I'm not sure what that will do to the pottery but I'm about to find out
Thanks, great tip!
@@robertfitzgerald9380 how did the hair dryer work out?
I did something similar in my teenage years playing with fire like I shouldn't have been doing. I took a steel pipe and duct taped it to a shop vac. Throw that thing on reverse and it makes that fire burn HOT.
I love it! I want to build one.
We are using similar materials on our straw bale home.
Yes, you totally should.
I wouldn't be using the kiln on a total fire ban day. Enjoyable video.🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘
Be careful with fire
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge in such detail
Glad it was helpful!
Amazing video.....your knowledge and skills are invaluable.
How about using castle blocks and facing the outside with clay? The castle blocks will naturally form a circle and you can go as high as you want...just thinking outloud!
I suppose that might work. You would want to get the layer of clay real thick though, like 2 or 3 inches. Otherwise the heat will start to cause the concrete blocks to degrade.
@@AncientPottery That was what I was thinking. Thanks for the reply.
You need air. And you don't need an electric source of it. You said fanning the flames brought the temperature down but with air you can get this so hot it would smelt iron
Depends on the fuel air mixture, air by itself is not helpful.
I've subscribed, your channel is a treasure. Thank you, sir!
Thanks for that!
you can raise the temp with a bellows.
You are amazing sir
Thanks a lot
man cool my honor to call you sir and i love this!!!!
Thanks
Awesome stuff, this definitely helped me out. I am now building one.
Very informative video. Pots look great 😊
Thanks
Great Video!
You would likely get better heat and more bang for you buck on wood burning if you put a rocket stove type box at the mouth of the fire box. It will also burn cleaner.
Yes, great tip, thanks
I am very interested, and may get into this. I live on the Oregon coast and all our soil has a lot of sand so would need to go inland probably to gather.
I know people who gather clay near the coast in Washington, so it may just be a matter of exploring and experimenting.
Andy, what are your thoughts on the firing of crucibles? And tips or suggestions?
Thanks for the great videos Andy and the valuable information on processing wild clay. I’ve been making terra sigilata slips using wild clay. Looking forward to experimenting with them.
The pyrometer hole seemed fairly large but I didn’t see it with the pyrometer installed. Did you put any clay around the pyrometer to stop air going in there?
Building the firebox out a little, raising the kiln walls another course or two and narrowing the circumference a little may help.
Please let us know if you try any of the suggestions in this chat.
Bless you Father Mulcahy!
Ha, never heard that one before.
You should get a flue liner (or a stove pipe) to set on top to increase the draft. Not primitive, but easy and relatively cheap.
Yes good tip, I am actually building a little ad-hoc brick chimney on top when I fire these days.
That's basically a huge Rocket Stove. You can turn it into a vertical feed and use longer twigs, sticks, branches, or 2x4s, and stand them up. The fire will continue to be drawn upwards into the kiln, so the fire shouldn't catch outside the burn chamber. But the top hole and chamber should all be the dame diameter throughout the kiln and the height should be 3 xs the size of the diameter.
This is hot enough to fire up borosilicate glass which we fire at 1080 F.
Cool idea
Could you rig up some type of bellows to increase your heat?
Yes, no doubt that would work great
Very impressed with the kiln, would love to see how you made the mud bricks and set them in place etc.
If you build a new fire pit, please do a video of it, I would love to build one for myself, thanks.
Greetings from Sydney Australia
Already done. My recent kiln building video is here ruclips.net/video/t692w4byVrw/видео.html
@@AncientPottery Wonderful thank you.
Thanks for the information this is very helpful nice kiln
Happy to help
Thanks for replying I've been watching you since yesterday not that long
@@coltonrosco1318 thanks for watching. I’ve got enough videos to keep you occupied for at least a few hours.
This video was made a while ago so I dont know if you ever built another one but I have been researching and have read that building the fire on its own grate above the ground will increase the temperature by allowing oxygen/airflow to come from beneath it , as well as a longer firebox and taller chimney, as you mentioned. I love your channel, btw. Your content is great and you do well with the camera also.
Thank you yes, I have done that. See this video ruclips.net/video/b-qNKqwaiy8/видео.html
@@AncientPottery thank you for responding, I did see that video after I made the comment. Im always a day late, lol.
That looks so cool , I think you have a lot more wood in your desert then in mine , the Mohave.
Interesting video , I designing a kiln using metal garbage can and propane , your kiln has like the same shape as my can and the flame I think will come from the bottom , I need to hit 1960 F.
I want to build a chimney on it.
I tested my new thermo meter on my gas BBQ it hit 850 F lol
Thanks for the video.
Thanks. 1960 F is hotter than I've ever had my kiln. I hope you get it.
Add a loosely hanging sheet of metal in front with a lip over the mantle. You will get a better draw. I used a hammered out piece of stovepipe over the open doorway of my wood stove to get it roaring. Small opening on top is sufficient.
Good tip! Thanks
I saw on 'James May Man Lab' them using a hair dryer on high to super charge the air for aluminum casting.
yes a little air flow will make a huge difference.
great video and justwhat ive been thinking about for the last couple of weeks.. surely i must be able to make a smaller version of the japanese pottery craftsmasters, And BOOM! Andy has nailed my vision in mind. (ps i haven't read any books or other youtube videos on pottery or kiln making, i just have a primitive hands-on thought process in the mind! and my vision was this but with an underground tunnel for cool air updraft enhancing/turbo suction ???)
awesome channel you have too buddy
Is there a negative when firing clay pots to use some forced air to stoke the fire? Because if not a cheap hair dryer will work wonders on that fire. And if you need to go bigger a leaf blower will definitely do the job. I use a hair dryer in my charcoal and coal forges for knife making. And I use a leaf blower when I'm in a hurry burning brush and things in my yard.
As I understand it the thermal couple is not suppose to be touching the pottery , about an inch in clearance when firings.
My thermocouple was not touching the pottery
Thanks for showing this; it looks very do-able in the 'burbs where I live. Maybe now I can finally make some pots, since I just want to make traditional Motu cooking pots for myself to use on naked flame. 😁👍
Cool, let me know how it comes out.
Hy Andy
This was the type I wanted to build but just ran out of time... I still intend to build on about the same size. I was thinking I would spend the time to make my charcoal.. I'm also thinking I would use a hair dryer to get to that temperature you would need for glazes.
I would be very happy to get that pot. I could use it in my demonstrations at the Rendzouse that we go to..
It's good to see your videos I'm able to pick a lot of ideas..
Hey stay safe and healthy
Good ideas, let me know how it comes out. Thanks.
This is fascinating, thanks for your tutorial, very informative as usual. 🤗
You’re welcome, thanks for watching.
Try doing a 3 tier burn zone. Upper is feedstock. middle is coal drop. Lower is removable ash tray.
Thanks for the tip, I will try it.
this will be a fun project with my dad this summer (hi dad aka Dupe)
Yes, it would be a fun project to do with a loved one.
Ohhh...I would love to have a pot created by you Andy ! You represent what I have been trying to do ever since I found shards on the bank of the Mississippi River . It's been trial and error, looking for info here and there...and then I find you on the wild clay page . I love what you have done and how you share what you have learned. Thank you so much for the knowledge and insight you have gleaned....that is a treasure to me in itself .
it is such a blessing to see some one who wants to know how it was done by the Ncient ones
hi dear Andy how long you cooking your pot in your kiln,thanks for your video.
Maybe an hour or less, certainly not very long.
Learning a lot from this vids.
Thanks
How long did the firing last once you reached the desired temp?
Maybe a half hour or so.
Have you tried to temper the cob used to make the kiln?
It's naturally tempered, full of sand.
@@AncientPottery, it seems, it needs a lot more than was added. Many people don't realize how much sand is needed. for regular Cob. When checking your test bricks, one can usually see the bricks with cracks need more sand. Sand is a good aggregate for making items that won't be heated quickly. For a permanent kiln, along with more sand Id recommend adding a good bit of ground-fired ceramics, at least mixed in an added to the 4-5" of cob inside the kiln.
@@ChrisBGramz4u This is not cob, this is adobe. And this is also not my first time making something out of adobe, I actually have a great deal of experience with it. I have a very good idea what is required. Thank you for your expert advice Chris, but I've got a pretty good handle on this.
We live out east where there isn’t as much clay in the soil. Any tips on building an oven like this?
This adobe type of kiln might not be the best option for you living in a damp environment. Maybe try using bricks instead ruclips.net/video/t692w4byVrw/видео.html
I found your brick kiln video shortly after I left this comment. Thank you for so many prompt responses!
which way is your favorite most dependable kiln or firing pit do you prefer ?
Surface firing is my favorite I gave up on the kilns because I could never get the atmosphere right. ruclips.net/video/AV4AFvkyCgU/видео.html
Nice video Mr.Andy!!
One question, what is the maximum temperature that can be reached in an kiln like that?
Greetings !
I have had mine up around 950 C, but I suspect it could go a lot hotter if I wanted to.
I may have missed it but can you use glazed piece in one of these?
Good question, I have not tried so can't say.
Question!
My step dad has a nice small chimney with a window built in.
Is it possible to do pottery in there?
Maybe, give it as try.
Im glad I ran into your channel and can’t wait to do my first pottery. Im thinking of buying clay from Hobby Lobby before trying to make my own. I live in Southern California. Would dirt over here work as clay? Wound a pizza oven work for firing?
I have used the Hobby Lobby clay so that works if you add temper. I have a student who lives in LA County and is successfully finding and using clay there. Not sure about the pizza oven, I have never tried that myself.
Would using a small battery leaf blower to add oxygen help raise the temperature?
Yes that would work for sure
you should combine this adobe kiln with a j tube rocket. Look up rocket stoves, and more specifically the j tube rocket, which gravity feeds the wood so you don't have to work so much feeding fuel. also, the wood is elevated, allowing air to flow under and over it, producing a much more efficient fire.
Maybe a future project, thanks
If when building it you do it with an air inlet on the side to connect it to a fan or a hair dryer I think you can get more heat. That's what they do in DIY hobby foundries.
I believe you are correct. I definitely will make more air available on my next kiln build.
I think you need to fire longer to get higher temperatures and open the flue all the way to get more air.
Yes I believe that is correct. The problem was that the firebox was full of coals, so I think I would need to remove most of the coals so I can restore the firebox with more wood.
Hi. Thanks for a really good video. How long time does it burn?
I keep a close eye on the temperature and once it hits my target temp I let it start cooling. So length of time really sin't a factor here, only temp. So Total time firing, maybe an hour or an hour and a half, something like that.
Thank you for the answer, im trying different techniques with my kids, we just tried fire pit Viking style, but we would like some more ways, guess we'll need a termometer.
Another great video. I'm wanting to build my own kiln in the backyard. What temperature is needed for first firing? What temperature for glazing? How long do you burn the fire to ensure the pottery has been fired thoroughly?
It doesn't take long to "fire thoroughly", I just run it up to my desired peak temperature (which is usually about 850 C) then let it cool. I know nothing about glazing, I never glaze and am not sure it could be done in a kiln like this.
what do you mean by puddled adobe? i would call that a 'cob' kiln, and, in my lexicon, adobe is synonymous with 'brick' just unfired, but still made of cob. And have you ever seen Primative Technology's updraft kiln? I think you'd benefit from that type of firebox set-up.
Puddled adobe is similar to cobb, but cobb, by definition contains a quantity of straw, while adobe is usually just mud, I have seen that video, that is one of the improvements I have been considering. Thanks.
@@AncientPottery thanks for taking the time to respond. I've been storming through your videos the last few days. This channel is the real deal. Real no bullshit info. Wish i could have found it 5 years ago.
Can you use regular bricks or do you need high heat fireplace bricks 🤔
What a wonderful kiln, thanks so much for sharing. I was wondering could you do a glaze firing in kilns like this? I'm oping to make some functional ware to make it food safe.
I have never reached temperatures hot enough to melt glaze but that doesn't mean it can't be done. Although you can eat off of earthenware, our ancestors did.
@@AncientPottery Thanks, Andy, even better :) When I've tried doing research on it there's a lot of warning about bacteria gathering in it. But I guess history has been saying otherwise!
Nice results.
Hi Andy. I live in New Zealand. Maybe a bit late but is that pot still up for grabs. would be soo cool to have it shipped over here. Love your work. Cheers.Hadley
Yeah super late plus I can't ship to New Zealand. Thanks anyway though.
Wow, I want to make a kiln too
Go for it
There's actually a channel called primitive technology that expressly uses, well, primitive techniques from various places to essentially do Bushcrafting, but more importantly teach/show others how it may have been done long ago (and maybe how to do it yourself if you want to)
He lives in Australia and, admittedly, the location he predominantly does his projects in is more of a tropical forest type location, but as far as clay and pottery is concerned, the type of environment shouldn't matter very much so long as you have a clay source and water, but I digress.
When I say he does things primitively, I mean it. He named his channel that way for a reason. He goes out with just his camera and a pair of shorts, that's all. Anything else, he makes. If he needs an axe, he makes it out of stone. Stones are his tools. He makes his own cordage and farms his own food. All while never speaking a word.
Anyway, here's a link to the first kiln he made. Turn on captions for an explanation of each step.
ruclips.net/video/uZGFTmK6Yk4/видео.html
Also, here's a link to a video of him making a pot purely out of wood ash
ruclips.net/video/rG6nzrksbPQ/видео.html
Lastly is this crossdraft kiln
ruclips.net/video/RnvtXikwrIU/видео.html
Yeah, I have seen them. This is quite the endorsement.
@@AncientPottery I apologize if it seemed like an endorsement, I more wanted to share information and other methods of making furnaces mainly because I personally find it immensely interesting, but also because I enjoy sharing information in hopes that it can be useful to someone.
I can remove the comment if you would like as I completely understand how it can be seen as rude to link and talk about someone else's channel in them comments. I really do apologize as I meant no offense.
Thank you! What an interesting channel. So many subscribers and views, cool stuff! I enjoyed your thorough description of the channel, your enthusiasm was evident, thank you for the lead, I am looking forward to watching more on that channel, for going back to the basics has always been an interest and curiosity for me, an apparently for millions of others!