How to Make a Ceramic Kiln
A ceramic kiln is a popular way for firing clay or ceramics. You can make a ceramic kiln that requires no electricity to work. You will be firing your ceramic masterpieces in no time when you make this ceramic kiln out of a few things that can be purchased at your local hardware store. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Propane tank
- Propane gas burner
- Kiln shelf
- 30-gallon metal garbage can
- Two packages of 17-gauge, high-temperature wire, each 10 feet long
- 30 1-inch ceramic buttons
- 10 feet of 36-inch wide by 1-inch thick ceramic fiber blanket
- Ice pick
- Goggles
- Wire cutters
- Tin snips
- Dust mask
- Scissors
- Gloves
- Hammer
- Pliers
- Bricks
Instructions
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How to Make a Ceramic Kiln
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1
Place the ceramic fiber on a work table. Place the garbage can on top long enough to make a circular outline on the fiber. Remove the can and cut out the circle. You'll use this circle later. Next, cut an opening on the side of the garbage can at the bottom about 6 inches in diameter. Cut an opening to act as the flue in the middle of the lid near the handle from 6 to 8 inches in diameter.
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2
Use the garbage can lid as a pattern to cut out a piece of the ceramic fiber for the lid. Use the ice pick to punch holes in the lid and the fiber around the entire lid's edge every 6 inches. Use the high-temperature wire and ceramic buttons to attach the ceramic fiber to the lid. Making a knot and attaching the first button, take the wire through each button until you get to the last one and knot it off at the last button. Cut the fiber away from the hole you made on the lid for the flue.
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3
Cut a piece of the ceramic fiber to fit the inside of the garbage can walls. Line the fiber inside the can. Use the ice pick and punch more holes in the garbage can around the top every 6 inches. Sew the buttons on the same way you did for the lid.
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4
Place the bottom piece of ceramic fiber you cut earlier in the bottom of the garbage can. Cut any fiber away from the hole you made in the side of the can.
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5
Stack enough bricks in the bottom to raise the shelf about 6 inches above where the burner's flame will be. Leave 1 or 2 inches around the shelf to allow for heat to rise within the chamber as well. The shelves come in a variety of sizes, so choose one a couple of inches smaller than the circumference of your garbage can.
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6
Place the burner in the kiln through the hole you cut near the bottom and drill a hole through the back of the garbage can and the fiber to accommodate the hookups going to your propane tank. Hook up the burner to the propane tank and you are ready to go. The first time you use the kiln for firing, it will take an hour and 15 minutes to fire and 35 minutes thereafter.
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Tips & Warnings
Locating your ceramic kiln outdoors under a covered area will help to ventilate the kiln as well as to give you plenty of room to work on the next masterpiece you are making. A fire brick can cover the flue as needed for adjusting the temperature for the amount of the load inside or the atmosphere. It takes about 30 minutes for the kiln to get to temperature. The temperature reached for firing is about 1000 degrees Celsius.
Always wear a mask, goggles and gloves when you are cutting and placing the ceramic fiber as it could cause skin irritation and breathing difficulties.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit pottery-books.com, www.orientmineral.com/ 96.htm, www.flickr.com/ photos/squareware/ 3382985079/
