How to Make a Small Kiln for Ceramics
One key to good pottery and sculptures is good materials. Another is a good kiln. Kilns are used to heat clay structures such as pots so that the clay becomes "cured" and therefore more durable. Professional kilns, even small ones, can cost hundreds of dollars, but it's possible to make your own kiln for a lot less. The steps below show you how.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- propane tank (20 lb.)
- propane hose and regulator
- weed or venturi burner
- metal knock out punch or metal cut hole saw
- metal cutter
- ceramic fiber
- ceramic glue
- screwdriver
- hammer
- wire hanger
- kiln shelf
- kiln shelf supports
- coat hanger
- pliers
- a few cinder blocks or bricks
- cleaned oil drum (the kind with the hole in the top)
- paintbrush
Instructions
-
Fuel
-
1
Hook up the 20 lb. propane tank to the propane hose and regulator.
-
2
Hook up the propane hose and regulator to the weed or venturi burner.
-
-
3
Test the propane tank and regulator before going any further, since this will be your heat source for the kiln.
The Kiln Body
-
4
Cut off the top of the oil barrel with the metal cutter. You should cut about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way down the barrel body to do this so that you can easily bend into the kiln to retrieve your pottery. The top part will be the lid, while the lower part will be the main kiln.
-
5
Punch two holes in the rim of the kiln lid opposite each other with the screwdriver and hammer.
-
6
Unbend the coat hanger with the pliers so you have one straight piece of wire. Fit the wire through the holes you punched in the lid rim and bend it into a half circle to form a handle for the lid. You can decide how large of a handle you want on the kiln--simply trim off any excess wire with the metal cutter. Bend the tips of the wire up and around the rim of the lid to secure the handle.
-
7
Cut a hole in the side of the kiln main body a few inches from the kiln bottom with the metal cut hole saw or knock out punch. The hole should be large enough to fit your weed or venturi burner into so the flame can get into the kiln.
-
8
Paint the inside of the kiln body and lid with ceramic glue and line both parts with ceramic fiber. Do not block the holes in the kiln body or the lid, as these will be your flame entrance point and vent. Trim holes in the fiber as needed to avoid this.
-
9
Insert the kiln shelf supports into the bottom of the kiln and place the kiln shelf on top of the supports.
-
10
Place a brick or number of bricks up to the hole in the bottom of the kiln to support your weed or venturi burner and hold it straight into the hole. The number of bricks you need will depend on where you've placed the heat source hole.
-
11
Allow the glue in the kiln to dry so that the ceramic fiber is secure. Then simply insert the weed or venturi burner into the flame hole and try out the kiln.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Be sure to wear a face mask and gloves during the construction of the kiln, as this will avoid you getting cut or nicked by the metal and breathing in particles of the ceramic fiber. Propane is highly flammable so make sure you have attached the hose and regulator properly to the tank prior to operating the kiln. Have someone with you the first time you try the kiln just in case you have made a mistake. Since the kiln is metal, it can get very hot despite the layer of ceramic fiber inside. Do not touch the kiln with bare hands while it is operating, and wear gloves when touching the handle and removing the lid.
