How to Build a Wood Kiln

Build a wood kiln to fire your pottery.

As you begin to increase the volume of pottery that you are producing you need to have a kiln with the capacity to fire your work. Making your own kiln is simple and gives you a great cost-effective alternative to buying one. The wood kiln has become the choice of most professionals and you can build it custom to your needs quite easily.

Things You'll Need

• Pre-made angle iron frame with separate frame for the door
• Hinges
• Concrete blocks
• Patio blocks
• Fire bricks
• 1 large sheet metal arch
• 1 small piece of sheet metal
• Fireclay mortar
• Brick saw
• Electric drill and bits

Instructions

1. Choose the location of your kiln. Find a flat area with some separation from trees and flamable objects. Build the kiln door. Weld together or assemble an angle iron frame the size of the kiln that you want and the size of the door that you want on your kiln.

2. Build the kiln base. Install a layer of concrete block in the area you selected for the kiln. Place a layer of patio blocks on top of the concrete block.

3. Layer the bricks on the base on top of the patio blocks. Use a thin layer of mortar to secure the bricks in place. Remove excess mortar from the bricks with the saw so they fit evenly. Continue to build the walls with the firebricks fitting close against the frame.

4. Build the arch. Put the arch of sheet metal on the top side of the walls, leaving a small piece hanging out so it can be easily removed later. Lay firebricks from the outer edges toward the middle.
   Allow the mortar to set and then remove the arch from beneath the bricks.

5. Leave some openings in the roof to allow smoke and steam to exit. These openings should be rather small in order to minimize heat loss.

6. Install the door. Drill holes in the firebricks and screw the hinges to the kiln.

References

• Robert Compton Pottery: Kiln Building Tips