kilns

Controlling fire and heat is an exciting and complex part of the creative process. It is a mixture of chemistry,
physics, technology and primitive pyrotechnic spectacle. Various kilns and firing styles provide endless
possibilities for ceramic surfaces. The anticipation of seeing the results is always there; whether it's a
computerized electric kiln or a primitive pit kiln.

I have designed and built many unique kilns, some examples are featured below. If you have any kiln-building
related questions, feel free to contact me.

MCC Wood Kiln
This kiln was designed by Jake Allee, Mike Maguire and myself. It was built in 2005 at
McLennan community college in Waco, TX

SFA Soda Kiln
This is a cross-draft catenary-arch kiln that is fired on natural gas (2 Eclipse TR-10
Venturi burners). Once it reaches temperature, a solution of water and soda is sprayed
into the kiln, which forms a permanent glaze on the pieces. It was built by my students
and I during a kiln building class at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas
in 2006. I designed this kiln.

Barrel-Arch Wood Kiln
This is a cross-draft kiln with an internal firebox, it was built by my students and I
during a kiln-building class at the University of North Texas, Denton, in 2005. I
designed this kiln to fit in a tight space, it replaced a catenary arch wood kiln of
similar dimensions. It reminded me of an army tank.

Hybrid Kiln #2
This is a barrel-arch crossdraft salt-kiln. It is fired on gas and/or wood. This kiln was
built by my students and I during a kiln building class at the University of North Texas in
2005. It replaced Hybrid Kiln #1, with a better, more efficient design. This kiln was
featured in Ceramics Monthly in summer 2006. Elmer Taylor and I collaborated on the
design.

Hybrid Kiln #1
I built this experimental salt kiln at the University of North Texas in 2004. It was a catenary arch
cross draft with a burry-box and was fired with natural gas and wood. Elmer Taylor and I
collaborated on this design to build a good "learning" kiln for students. Essentially, the concept
was for the user to learn more about firing than just flipping switches. The kiln required a little bit
of stoking with wood and careful monitoring in order for it to reach temperature. The extra work
involved would "pay off" in the end.

My Wood Kiln
With the help of some friends from the University of Eau Claire, I built this kiln at my parents' house near
New Richmond, Wisconsin in 2001. This jalopy is the first "big" kiln I ever built. I salvaged used firebrick
for a couple years and only spent about $100 to build this beauty. I have added on to it through the
years, reluctant to tear it down and rebuild it. The design came from the advice of my professor Mike
Weber, a wood-firing guru whose "Rocketman" wood kilns have been built and imitated all over the
country. I have fired this kiln over 20 times, and it gets better each time!

CR Wood Kiln (a.k.a. Fat-boy)
This beauty was built in January 2008, by students and I during a kiln building class at College of The
Redwoods in Eureka, California. It's a bigger, better version of the MCC kiln (see below) and is the
best wood kiln I've built or fired so far. Once you start stoking, it just wants more and can never get
enough, hence the nickname.