Added: 2 years ago
From: potteryworks
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  • Does the chimney need to be 14 feet? can it be shorter?

  • 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?

  • @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.

  • 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. 

  • no they won't hold water clay is fired to low temp.

  • These look really great! Even with the wax will they functionally hold water?

  • @spraypaint1000 no they will not hold water. clay is fred at to low of a temp.

  • @spraypaint1000 no they will not hold water. the clay is fired at to low of a temp.

  • I am wondering what kind of wax you use to seal the works. Is it anything special and how are you applying it?

  • @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

  • 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?

  • @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

  • 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...

  • @dutch803 SURE THE BOOK IS ALTERNATIVE KILNS AND FIRING TECHNIQUES BY JAMES WATKINS... THANKS FOR WATCHING JOHN

  • loved it.some day i hope to be able try this. i thank all the people that are so amazing. May god bless you always. truley incredible.

  • how do i build one of these kilns and do u think its better than digging a hole, it looks more dependable.

  • @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

  • Thanks, very helpful. How do you wrap the pots in aluminum? Just pressure? Second, can Earthenware stand this technique without shattering. Thanks.

  • @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

  • 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

  • @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!!!

  • 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 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

  • 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

  • @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

  • @potteryworks Thanks for the advice. I'll let you know how I make out.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • very nice...

  • really great work,thank you for sharing,but could you somebody explain me the word which sounds me like "bist"

  • to answer your fist question yes terra sig.

    your second question bisque or bisqued

  • oh bisque,i see..:-)),thank you!

  • sig-terra sigillata,I suppose...

  • What do you mean by "sig" when you talk about your work. And, Can you do a video on preperation for this firing? I love your work with the reds in it.

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