We started loading the now rebuilt wood kiln this weekend. Loading kilns of this size take a bit of care and consideration, so our group allots about 5 or 6 days to complete the job. Day 1 is unpacking all of the work and glueing tiny clay balls to the bottoms of pots. These balls are called wads, and act as little temporary feet, elevating the pots off the shelves to prevent them from fusing to it during the firing. The shelves will get a protective layer, known as kiln wash, to help prevent pots from sticking. Wood firing is an atmospheric firing, meaning the material that glazes the pots will be flying around the inside of the kiln coating everything in a layer of essentially molten glass.
Day 2 was a day of carefully choosing which pots would be best for the back of the kiln. In the past, the back of the kiln fires a little cooler and can have cold spots, with less wood ash reaching the pots. Pots that are fully glazed will do their best in the back, where their glazes should melt and not need to rely on heavy ash build up to look nice. At least, that is what we hope for. On each stack the largest pots are placed first, staggering smaller pots around it to help break up the path of the flame. Wood fire potter Justin Lambert once advised to think of pots like rocks in a creek, and the flame as water. We want the flame to flow and wrap around every pots as it travels from the front to the back of the kiln. It can feel like a puzzle!
On days 3-6 we will continue stacking. We hope to be bricking up the door this coming Sunday, and starting the fire on Monday. Wish us luck!
