Chimney for days (Literally)
After the excitement of the Fire Extravaganza last November, it was time for KU's kiln building class to lock in and get this chimney built! Since we started the chimney on top of the tall base of cinder blocks, the chimney would have to be incredibly tall to draw air and fire properly. Good thing we had plenty of used and donated brick to make the chimney happen.
We also took this time to finish up the ladder (or stepped) firebox, finish welding the frame around each arch and the welding around the chimney, and fill in the last sections of brick on the sides of the arch. Phew! Marshall wanted us to fire in the first week of December (finals week), so it was crunch time.
LAC Resident Jason Wang with the chimney (left) and stepped firebox (right)
Welded metal frame for the sprung arch.
Look at that lovely doorway arch!
After we finished these projects, all that was left to do was add another layer of soft insulating firebrick over the top of the arches, load up the kiln, and brick up the doors.
We originally talked about building a high-tech barn door or sliding door for each loading chamber of the kiln, but we decided that would have to be carried out next year — along with stuccoing the outside of the kiln.
Zeynep Uner is the current kiln and wheel repair apprentice at Bracker’s, working directly with David Sturm (the head tech) on repairs large and small. She has been repairing kilns for approximately 3 years now, and has been absorbing everything she possibly can from David’s 30+ years in the field.
Zeynep enjoys atmospheric firing, taking film photos, and throwing on her old Brent kick wheel.
