Friends, we are back with another week of the Noborigama kiln build!
This is by far the slowest part — building up the kiln layer by layer. We started the kiln floor with two layers of insulating firebrick, and then a layer of large heavy duty hard brick.
Then, construction of the front grate and bag wall began simultaneously with the other walls, checking the level as best we could as we went. While the grate and bag wall needed hard brick around each opening, the rest of the kiln walls had one layer of soft insulating fire brick on the outside, and one layer of hard brick on the inside.
We were lucky enough to have fairly sunny and mild weather while we did this part over the span of a number of weeks! A large percentage of the brick we used for this kiln was either donated to the ceramics program, or bought for fairly cheap. Because of this, a considerable amount of the brick we used was not-quite-perfect in dimension or angle. We definitely had to get a bit creative when trying to keep everything level and square (and keep ourselves relatively sane).
At this point the kiln was really starting to take shape. The grate, bag wall, and front stoke hole took some extra care (thanks to a super special brick from Marshall's house for the stoke door), but they all worked out great in the end. Our next step was to finish up the walls and lay the cinderblock foundation for the back chamber and chimney. Stay tuned for that update next week!
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.
