@wphlea thanks for you comments. i fired to 06 to bisque i use a standard clay #182 which is white and a #205 which is a red both cone 10 clay. the chips do fall down through the screen and it most likely helps the firing. just don't pack it to tight.. and back it with some straw, sticks. and wood chips, and long rolled up newsprint. don't be afraid of putting to much wood on top in fact i even fed the fir before putting on the lid... good luck john
Do you have a video on how to load the pots in the barrel kiln and how to position the wood on top? Also talked about putting sig on some of your pieces. What is sig and do you put on before the firing?
They work really well, an dI like your work, good job, I have a question, For the orange pink bottle, You said you put salt and whar else on it, to get the pinky orange colour ?? Thank you.
yes the chimney make a lot of differants. it help with the burning as a down draft more even burn. when i opened the barrel there was no combustable mat. left. i have fired without the chimney it makes a big differants to me. thank for you comments john
congratulations for your inspiration! I would like to ask if there is any book or manual in order to learn how to fix all this equipment! for example i would like to see how you put all the pots and the fire in the barrel. thank you.
@cdjames42 thank for watching. no the sig is not necessary. but it helps in the polishing. you could also use a polished stone when the clay is leather hard on the wheel to burnish.. john
Hubby just built me a downdraft barrel kiln, just like yours! I can't wait to try it. To what cone do you bisque fire your pots before putting them in the downdraft kiln? I am using medium fire stoneware clay (Laguana B-Mix & Plainsman M332 red clay). I burnished the pieces and will not use T-sig. I am also wondering what you did when you loaded the kiln. Do you allow chips or sawdust to go through the grate to fall on either side of the slotted pipe inside? thanks in advance
Hi John, Is there a way with the primitive, non insulated firing like pit fire, barrel fire,... that the pots are gonna be waterproof? Because i like these ways of firing very much but its never usable for a vase or such, wich holds water. And am i right that the chimney will olso increase the temperature in the barrel? Last question: does this way of firing bake the pots more than bisque? Or is it just for the colors? Thanks a bunch! Greeting from Belgium
I am very new at this. Please forgive me. I love firing like this, what kind of clay is used for this kind of firing Pottery and how do I know what temp it has reached and for how long. Thank u so much, love this. Please Keep it up. Need all the info, I can get
hi. I´m crazy for this fire. Tried it a few times and once a got a really cool orange color but coundn´t get it again.... Do u know what creates it? Is it the red iron oxide? the salt?.... anyway if u could give a hint I really appreciate it!!! Nice kiln this one with the chimney!! TY . Adriana
Wow ,good pots! I have been playing with barrell and aluminium foil firing. You gave me inspiration to keep going. Does the chimney help with the stinky smoke? It fills our yard much to my husband dismay.
Is this going to give you pottery that can be used or is it just for looks? I know some fired like this are toxic and unusable as dishes or usable bowls for food.
@ckhansen19 sorry i didn't do a video on loadingi was going to when i do another firing. backing the barrel is't hard. layers straw, sticks, pots, saw dust, rock salt, and other colorants. and start the fire on the top.no the chimney doesn't need to be 14' high its just what i had laying around but you do want to have a good draw and hight is whatgives you that. the sig is terra sigllata which take the place of burnishing. i put it on before bisque firing.
@HugeGene wrap it so there is no air able to get out the atmosphere what help to create the colors. never tried earthenware but as long as ther is a grog in it it should work. and watch your temp does not go over cone 04 unless your clay is higher...john
Thanks! I am in New Jersey , us. The pieces where bisque fired in an electric kiln first to cone 06. Barrel firing is a type of pit firing which a low temp about 1500f
@adrianataba iron oxide is most likely what created the red. if its in the right atmosphere. if you would like more reds try ferric cloride you can buy it a radio shack its a copper etching ...spray it on dont use any metal sprayer if check out my saggar firing video it will work in this type of firing... john
Very informative! I'm thinking of doing this with my students. About how long does the fire burn? Less than 8 hours? Also, how necessary is the terra sig?
Terra sigillata is an ultrarefined clay slip that can give a soft sheen when applied to bone-dry wares and, if polished or burnished while still damp, may give a high gloss.
Terra sig can also be applied to leather hard clay as well . I made both white and red terra. There are many recipes on internet. Apply a layer and let dry throughly before doing a 2nd coat or a 3rd. Then it can be polished with a plastic bag or plastic wrap which is wrapped around your fingers. Adds a beautiful sheen.
@theprettypotter its simple you need= 55 gal drum {better if you have a removeable lid}, 4" or 6" stove pipe, metal grate for the bottom. because it works like a up draft kiln a pit won't work as well. the trick is stacking packing it with sticks, newspaper,sawdust,and hay. then building a fire on top get a good bed of coals before putting the lid.. john
Most of the color comes from the chemicals I added to the pots as I was loading. Rock salt, miracle grow, iron oxide, exc. not sur of the temp. To guess 1500. It fires to its done..thanks for watching
I fired my new downdraft kiln last evening. I used sawdust, "used" straw cow bedding shredded paper and for wood I used old fence posts. I topped up with more wood as the fire burned down then put the lid on as per your instructions. After 3 hours, I still didn't have a downdraft. so went to bed. This morning the kiln was smoking slightly from the stovepipe only and when I peeked in I discovered all the combustibles had burned up. See results at playsinclay.blogspot.com. Thanks 4 your help
@wphlea thanks for you comments. i fired to 06 to bisque i use a standard clay #182 which is white and a #205 which is a red both cone 10 clay. the chips do fall down through the screen and it most likely helps the firing. just don't pack it to tight.. and back it with some straw, sticks. and wood chips, and long rolled up newsprint. don't be afraid of putting to much wood on top in fact i even fed the fir before putting on the lid... good luck john
Do the pieces need to be at the bisque stage before firing? I always thought raku was using greenware with glaze in the firing.
Do you have a video on how to load the pots in the barrel kiln and how to position the wood on top?
Also talked about putting sig on some of your pieces. What is sig and do you put on before the firing?
They work really well, an dI like your work, good job, I have a question, For the orange pink bottle, You said you put salt and whar else on it, to get the pinky orange colour ?? Thank you.
Thanks, very helpful. How do you wrap the pots in aluminum? Just pressure? Second, can Earthenware stand this technique without shattering. Thanks.
yes the chimney make a lot of differants. it help with the burning as a down draft more even burn. when i opened the barrel there was no combustable mat. left. i have fired without the chimney it makes a big differants to me. thank for you comments john
Enjoyed the video, can you share the name of the book where you got your design? I would like to build one to try... looks great...
Next query, if you don't have an electric kiln how would you fire them first or would you?
congratulations for your inspiration!
I would like to ask if there is any book or manual in order to learn how to fix all this equipment! for example i would like to see how you put all the pots and the fire in the barrel.
thank you.
@cdjames42 thank for watching. no the sig is not necessary. but it helps in the polishing. you could also use a polished stone when the clay is leather hard on the wheel to burnish.. john
Hubby just built me a downdraft barrel kiln, just like yours! I can't wait to try it. To what cone do you bisque fire your pots before putting them in the downdraft kiln? I am using medium fire stoneware clay (Laguana B-Mix & Plainsman M332 red clay). I burnished the pieces and will not use T-sig. I am also wondering what you did when you loaded the kiln. Do you allow chips or sawdust to go through the grate to fall on either side of the slotted pipe inside? thanks in advance
what is the thinking behind having the flu come out the bottom and do you know what temperatures your getting in this thing?
Hi John,
Is there a way with the primitive, non insulated firing like pit fire, barrel fire,...
that the pots are gonna be waterproof? Because i like these ways of firing very much but its never usable for a vase or such, wich holds water. And am i right that the chimney will olso increase the temperature in the barrel?
Last question: does this way of firing bake the pots more than bisque? Or is it just for the colors?
Thanks a bunch!
Greeting from Belgium
was it first bisquit firing, or raku-firing? how long it was fired?
I am wondering what kind of wax you use to seal the works. Is it anything special and how are you applying it?
I am very new at this. Please forgive me. I love firing like this, what kind of clay is used for this kind of firing
Pottery and how do I know what temp it has reached and for how long. Thank u so much, love this. Please
Keep it up. Need all the info, I can get
@spraypaint1000 no they will not hold water. the clay is fired at to low of a temp.
hi. I´m crazy for this fire. Tried it a few times and once a got a really cool orange color but coundn´t get it again.... Do u know what creates it? Is it the red iron oxide? the salt?.... anyway if u could give a hint I really appreciate it!!! Nice kiln this one with the chimney!! TY . Adriana
Dont you need air flow? Sorry I'm still learning
Hey, I think they are Great! So the glaze and slip is put on prior to firing? Sorry I am just begining. What temp does the barrel go to and how long?
What is a slip? What is that other word you were talking about in relation to Raku? Also what type of clay is best used.
These are lovely, but if I may ask: what kind of firing was this? Was it bisque, glaze, both, or what?
This is a type of raking a low fire the pieces are first bisqued
Does the chimney need to be 14 feet? can it be shorter?
Wow ,good pots! I have been playing with barrell and aluminium foil firing. You gave me inspiration to keep going. Does the chimney help with the stinky smoke? It fills our yard much to my husband dismay.
Is this going to give you pottery that can be used or is it just for looks? I know some fired like this are toxic and unusable as dishes or usable bowls for food.
@spraypaint1000 no they will not hold water. clay is fred at to low of a temp.
@dutch803 SURE THE BOOK IS ALTERNATIVE KILNS AND FIRING TECHNIQUES BY JAMES WATKINS... THANKS FOR WATCHING JOHN
Will this work for Tobacco pipes?
Hi, how long we have to fire escape so we can have the same result of yours? and there is any temperature ???
Could you explain what sig means? Not a familiar term for me.
Terra Sigillata, an ancient way to coat pottery when glazing temperatures arent possible.
@ckhansen19 sorry i didn't do a video on loadingi was going to when i do another firing. backing the barrel is't hard. layers straw, sticks, pots, saw dust, rock salt, and other colorants. and start the fire on the top.no the chimney doesn't need to be 14' high its just what i had laying around but you do want to have a good draw and hight is whatgives you that. the sig is terra sigllata which take the place of burnishing. i put it on before bisque firing.
how many time on the barrel?
Hi I'm a new potter and want to try this. You mention adding sig to your pots a few times, can you tell me what that is? Your pottery is wonderful!
I think he meant slip
It's terra sigillata
Does it help with the air flow to have a chimney that tall ?
Hi Jamie, it helps with draw. But of course it doesn't have to be that high it just pipe I had on hand
Ok thanks :D
@HugeGene wrap it so there is no air able to get out the atmosphere what help to create the colors. never tried earthenware but as long as ther is a grog in it it should work. and watch your temp does not go over cone 04 unless your clay is higher...john
Is their a bottom on barrel. Thank u
Yes. And a grate above the bottom
were all of your pieces bisque fired before your barrel fire?
Yes.
Why don't you Stone Polish them?
did you bisque fire with the same wood kiln?
No everything was first bisque fire in an electric kiln to come 06
@jadaro2600 trewax you can get it any ace hardware store. its a liquid floor wax for tile and stone. but you also use butchers paste wax....john
hi!! thank you !!! where is this firing taking place!??? IS it a bisque firing...? Somewhere in the US I suppose. I´m Paula from Argentina!
Thanks! I am in New Jersey , us. The pieces where bisque fired in an electric kiln first to cone 06. Barrel firing is a type of pit firing which a low temp about 1500f
have you ever tried to bisque-fire pieces in this kiln? could it be done? thanks!
No I never tried. Probably a lot of broken pieces
@adrianataba iron oxide is most likely what created the red. if its in the right atmosphere. if you would like more reds try ferric cloride you can buy it a radio shack its a copper etching ...spray it on dont use any metal sprayer if check out my saggar firing video it will work in this type of firing... john
thanks. I ll try the ferric cloride... and ill experiment a little more with the iron oxide. keep on trying to get those awesome colors again!!!
really great work,thank you for sharing,but could you somebody explain me the word which sounds me like "bist"
what celcius is the temperatur ?
Beautiful work......did you see the face in your tall black pot around 6:14?
interesting. you have the beginning of what could be a rocket stove mass heater or an indirect heated kiln.
no they won't hold water clay is fired to low temp.
Very informative! I'm thinking of doing this with my students. About how long does the fire burn? Less than 8 hours? Also, how necessary is the terra sig?
@potteryworks Thanks for the advice. I'll let you know how I make out.
Would anyone know the definition of sig or cig used in this demo?
Terra sigillata is an ultrarefined clay slip that can give a soft sheen when applied to bone-dry wares and, if polished or burnished while still damp, may give a high gloss.
Terra sig can also be applied to leather hard clay as well . I made both white and red terra. There are many recipes on internet. Apply a layer and let dry throughly before doing a 2nd coat or a 3rd. Then it can be polished with a plastic bag or plastic wrap which is wrapped around your fingers. Adds a beautiful sheen.
@theprettypotter its simple you need= 55 gal drum {better if you have a removeable lid}, 4" or 6" stove pipe, metal grate for the bottom. because it works like a up draft kiln a pit won't work as well. the trick is stacking packing it with sticks, newspaper,sawdust,and hay. then building a fire on top get a good bed of coals before putting the lid.. john
Terra sigillata. Aka sig. It's a coating I put on to polish the clay
Hey thats very nice work.
their all so beautiful!!
very good firing !
Most of the color comes from the chemicals I added to the pots as I was loading. Rock salt, miracle grow, iron oxide, exc. not sur of the temp. To guess 1500. It fires to its done..thanks for watching
Wow nice work
😀
I'm surprised there wasnt more color in the pieces that were in the barrel. Lots of blacks.
very nice...
Nice
well done
to answer your fist question yes terra sig.
your second question bisque or bisqued
oh bisque,i see..:-)),thank you!
Anyone notice the creepy face @ 6:13? Very pronounced creepy face on the pot.
sig-terra sigillata,I suppose...
I fired my new downdraft kiln last evening. I used sawdust, "used" straw cow bedding shredded paper and for wood I used old fence posts. I topped up with more wood as the fire burned down then put the lid on as per your instructions. After 3 hours, I still didn't have a downdraft. so went to bed. This morning the kiln was smoking slightly from the stovepipe only and when I peeked in I discovered all the combustibles had burned up. See results at playsinclay.blogspot.com. Thanks 4 your help
So you didn’t actually show us how to do anything? You left out all of the important pictures and video.
🫤