Wood Fired Philosophers Kiln, Firing up Maisy Aug 2024
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- As the August Super Full Moon was setting over the top ridge of our land, I fired up my Philosophers Kiln, now named “Daisy” after my Mom (she’s small but mighty), for the second time.
The first firing in April went really fast (8 hours) but we came up short on the temperature, ^10 barely moved in all three cone packs. For my second firing, I was determined to slow things down and hit my target temperature of 2370F … and boy howdy, we did that and a whole lot more!
Takeaways from firing #2:
• My intended schedule, a slightly revised version of Euan Craig’s post (euancraigpotte... 200F p/hr to 1100; transition stoking the fire box from the floor to the crossbars. Then ramp up to 200-300F p/hr to 1830F, then 300F p/hr to ^10 or 2370F. At 2370F, drop temp to 2250F and hold for 1 hour to build ash. After 1 hour, take it back to 2370F, hold for a few minutes. Then crash cool to 2000F and close it up.
• I know most potters make multiple sets and pairs of cone packs, one with lower temps and one with the higher range. As I’ve been trying to be budget minded (boxes of cones are pricey), I decided to go with a smaller range. Turns out it was a mistake to build my cone packs with such a narrow range of cones. I had cones 08, 8, 9, 10. What I really needed was higher melting cones, 11 and 12 … especially as, by looking at the cone packs, I’m pretty sure we hit at least ^12 if not higher. The pyrometer read 2380, but the heatwork was HOT. We flattened (and then some) 2 of the 3 cone packs. Roger that! Build cone packs with a wider range of cones.
• Another lesson, the shino glaze I mixed was too thin. If it had been thicker, I’m sure I would have gotten a lot more interesting interaction with the flames of the kiln and my cobalt ash glaze. Thin as it was, I still got some good flashing and color.
• I did an additional cobalt blue ash glaze dip over a few of the pieces from the 1st firing and refired them. The cobalt over the white slip looked pretty cool and I think I’ll revisit that combination.
• In firing #1, we did a timed reduction at ^08. We didn’t do that this time. Instead, per Euan Craig’s schedule, I eased in the dampers at 1100F and left them. We could tell we were getting reduction along the way. Later in the day, the temperature was not moving and seemed to be getting choked, so we opened the dampers back to full for the rest of the firing.
For the next firing:
• I need to take a considered look at this little kiln’s strengths and limitations (if any).
• I also need to consider how long I’m willing to take for a firing. Shorter firings, while exciting, don’t allow time for ash to accumulate and melt. Longer firings require more wood, more physical energy, more people. But even this relatively short firing is physically exhausting for this 68 year old. Hence, the idea of keeping it simple and fairly short is certainly appealing. However, if I’m keeping the firing short, I need to work on more glazes and surface decoration skills. Do I want to set up a full-on glaze studio?
• Do a thorough perusal of the structural elements of the kiln. Ronnie noticed a cracked soft brick in a crucial spot inside the kiln chamber, right across the base of the chimney. I was able to shore it up with another brick, but that could have been very bad. Also wondering how that extra brick will affect air flow.
A big shout out to my team, Don Van Arsdale and Ronnie Stillwell. Y'all are awesome!
All in all, I consider my second firing of Maisy, the Philosophers Kiln, a huge success. Lots of lessons learned, lots of nice pots and a very real idea of just what a little rocket ship of a kiln she is!
Absolutely fantastic !!!
@@irinbenz9645 thank you!!! 🙏🙏🙏
Well done! Keep up the great work and thank you for sharing.
@@wvienneau9257 thank you so much! It’s a labor of love for sure! 🙏🙏🙏
Nice work!
Thank you! Cheers!
Brilliant. It was meant to be.
@@credenza1 truly!