How To Build A Brick Kiln
So How Do You build a brick kiln?
There are many ways to build a brick kiln, but in this article I will talk about an easy and affordable way to build a brick kiln for firing earthenware clay.
Supplies Needed:
Red Clay Bricks x130
Wheel Barrow
Hose
Shovel
Level (optional)
Building The Fire Box
The fire box holds the fuel needed to fire your clay vessels.
The bigger the fire box, the more fuel it can use, and the hotter the kiln will get.
STEP 1
Begin building your brick kiln by first clearing a section of land and getting the surface as flat and compact as possible. This is a crucial step for making sure that your kiln stays in good shape. After leveling and compacting the dirt place three columns of brick down.
The columns should be three bricks long. There should be enough space between each column for you to lay a brick on the middle column and on the ledge of a side column.
STEP 2
STEP 3
Begin adding a second layer to your fire box by stacking another layer of bricks onto your two outside columns. Do not stack a second layer onto your middle column.
If you notice that your second layer looks lop sided, readjust your base layer by adding dirt underneath and compacting it back down.
STEP 4
Leave a tiny lip or ledge for you to set your middle grate bricks onto. Make sure that you only give a slight amount of room on your ledge, giving too much of a ledge will result in the kiln toppling over as its built higher.
STEP 5
Use up to ten bricks to create your first grate layer for your fire box. This is where fuel (wood and other combustibles) will be help and ignited. Notice that there is a bottom gap from the grate system to the ground. I recommend digging some dirt it to me the gap bigger.
A bigger gap means more potential airflow, resulting in a cleaner burning kiln.
STEP 6
STEP 7
STEP 8
Add a third layer to your side columns, but leave room for a ledge so you can put your second grate layer down.
STEP 9
STEP 10
Building the stack area/chimney
The stack area/chimney is where you will be placing your clay vessels. This is also how the updraft is created, the higher the chimney the stronger the draft.
If you make it too high though, it may be hard for you to put in and take out your clay vessels.
STEP 1
Using dirt is also helpful when you want to move the kiln or modify it, as it takes little effort to pull apart and reassemble.
STEP 2
Mix the dirt with water and make sure the consistency of the mix is not too soupy. You want the consistency of mud when you lay it onto the brick foundation.
The clay particles in the dirt will help bind the mortar (mud mix) with the brick.
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
Congratulations! You’re finished!
To learn more about clay and how to create with it, visit “Higher Perspective Art” and start your art journey today!
