First Firing
Smisek Trust Salt Kiln Build Workshop
On the 10th April 2023 a keen group of seven student kiln builders gathered in Te Horo (near Otaki) to start work on a diesel fired salt/soda kiln. This workshop…
Kiln Maintenance 6 – First Firing
24 August 2022 Fibre insulation The most important last job on the kiln was insulating the chamber arch and firebox arch. The chamber needed two layers of fibre, then tin…
Kiln Maintenance 5
31 July 2022 The big job that remained was to install the steel cage around the kiln to support the arches. The local engineer was engaged to supply both the…
Kiln Maintenance 4
Repairing and bracing firebox While waiting for the chamber steel to arrive I set to work on the firebox. Basically relaying the grate and insulation - in theory. In practice…
Kiln Maintenance 3
2 July 2022 Lots of levels The walls shoot up quickly during this phase of the kiln build as it’s pretty straight laying and each course is checked for level,…
Kiln Maintenance 2
18 June 2022 After levelling the floor the insulation brick layer is laid over aluminium foil as an added membrane to prevent air getting up into the floor of the…