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configuration of raku kiln

updated sun 16 nov 97

 

marvin s flowerman on sat 15 nov 97

I'm looking for comments/suggestions on a recommended configuration for a
raku kiln.
My kiln is a round expanded metal-lined with insulating batting, and
fired with a single venutri burner through a port on the lowest level of
the brick base of the kiln. My shelf supports locate the shelf (13"
diameter) about 10 inches above the burner port and the inside of the
brick bases is rectangular. An experiment with inserting bricks in the
inside corners of the brick base resulted in sharply decreasing the size
of the area in which the flame enters, the kiln ports in the expanded
metal section were emitting flames almost from the start, the flame
seemed to me to be an oxidizing one, and the results were that the
pieces looked rough and burned . Prior to this modification (i.e., the
addition of the inside bricks), my results were reasonably good, and so,
before the next firing, I plan to remove the inside bricks, but also to
lower the shelf level so that it will only be a few inches above the
flame entrance port. I'm trying to avoid any direct flame/pot contact
which sometimes occurs with unpleasant results.

Suggestions anyone?

Many thanks.

marvpots@juno.com.
Marvin Flowerman