Firing the Philosopher's Kiln

It was the best of days ... I lit the match at 6:10am and fulfilled a 35 year dream, firing up the Philosopher's Kiln on Earth Day, April 22, 2024, just shy of the full Pink Moon.
I had my crackerjack, tried and true, wood firing team on hand, including my mentor and benefactor, and plenty of dry wood, so we were pretty confident we could hit our target temperature of 2350F or ^10.
We came darn close ... the digital pyrometer said we got over 2400F, the pyrometric cones said, not quite. We could have kept going, but decided to call it at 2:00pm, just under 8 hours of firing.
Even with holding the temp at between 2300 and 2350 (according to the pyrometer) for half an hour, 8 hours wasn't long enough to get any ash accumulation or melting. Even though the outer clay surfaces were a bit dry, all the glazes melted and we got a terrific reduction and some very nice color in the clay bodies. My wild clay turned out just lovely!
I've made lots of notes and am working on my plan of attack for the next firing, which I hope will be late May or early June.
For anyone contemplating a kiln of this type, just go for it ... it's great fun and a truly worthwhile undertaking.
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#wildclay #woodfiredkiln #wabisabi

[@quantumofconscience6538]

Great series....thank you. The narrowing of the chimney for the last few feet actually creates speed... and draw.... as long as it's not too narrow, and it's not.

[@tendingahandmadelife]

Thank you! That was the advice of my mentor as well. We just added another 3 rows of bricks and will see how it goes when we fire it up mid August. 🤞🙏

[@travismaxwell9805]

Nice job.

[@tendingahandmadelife]

Thank you!

[@jackipallister223]

Congratulations Kathy 😊😊 Lovely!

[@tendingahandmadelife]

JACKI! Thanks so much!!! How are you?!?! I will say now and forever, you are the most creative person I know … lord mercy could I ever do with a good Jacki visit. 🥰🥰🥰

[@ronniestillwell8508]

Looks wonderful!

[@tendingahandmadelife]

Thanks Ronnie!

[@Connor-tv5gu]

Beautiful!! I’m glad to hear it was a success. I did a pit firing last night and I felt so giddy digging out my pieces today. I love those pourers!

[@tendingahandmadelife]

Fire and mud … so much joy and magic!

[@toi_techno]

They're beautiful ceramics

[@tendingahandmadelife]

Thank you!

[@peterwills5533]

Lovely project. Try your white slip under the glaze rather than on it.

[@tendingahandmadelife]

Thanks for the tip! I’ll do that for sure next time. I’m also thinking to try glazing over everything and refiring the pieces. Long ago when I started making pots, refiring wasn’t really done, but I figure what the heck … we’ll see.

[@peterwills5533]

Always experiment..... refiring can give great results..... sometimes..... if you want to reglaze already fired pots..... get them hot and the glaze really thick..... play, have fun, experiment!

[@tendingahandmadelife]

Roger Wilco … Excellent advice!