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newest cast sawdust/soda kiln

updated wed 4 jul 01

 

LOWELL BAKER on tue 3 jul 01


We are just finishing the first firing of our cast sawdust fired salt
kiln. Pulled a draw ring at cone 11 and it is beautiful. we will shoot
the sawdust to it for another hour or so to see what happens. We
started the sawdust at red heat at 3:00 PM and have cone 11 by
6:30 PM. Total stacking space of this cantenary arch is about 20
cubic feet. The sawdust is injected through the cast floor on one
side and the flue is on the other.

It fires under a lot of pressure and I have to say there is a lot of fly
ash. I will continue to cast a better door than the stacked brick
and a taller flue. The flue is only 6 inches in diameter. I would
never suggest this for a similar gas or wood fired kiln but it works
well with the blown sawdust. It roars when the fuel hits the fire. I
will have images to send out soon.

I was inspired by Vince's little soda kiln that we fired in a similar
time.

W. Lowell Baker
The University of Alabama