Wood for next fire

[Adios Pantalones]

This weekend's work- cutting. splitting, moving slabwood. Most common question I get at shows is "how much wood do you burn?", so here it is- wood for one firing.



Total slab wood- 2 honest cord (maybe a bit more). This stack gets wider than the pallets as I don't pay much attention- stacks are super stable with 40" long wood. Notice the thinner stuff at left- that's for near the end of the fire.

Here's the wood I start the fire with (right) and the super thin pieces I end with after 35-40 hours firing. The thin stuff covers the throat area of the kiln- slowing air flow and burning really fast without coaling- at the end you want to burn out the coal bed that can be 18-24" deep.

This is a small amount of "side stoke" wood- it's shoved directly into the chamber with the pots rather than into the firebox.

And... I throw in lots of my brush pile. Maybe half of what you see here.

 

[fishingpol]

Not the prettiest stuff, but I would guess it gets the job done. Do you get that pretty dry or do you have to season it? Or is a 1000 +degree kiln not fussy about what it eats.

I happened on this site the other day researching firebricks, have you been there?


http://www.sheffield-pottery.com/

 

[Adios Pantalones]

Oh- it's ugly crap, but it's cheap and dry. The kiln would rather have dry stuff, but at some points the glazes like water for reduction.

Never been to Sheffield, but that's where I currently get my clay (delivered to me). Looks like a cool operation- mining clay locally (but not highfire stoneware).

If you want firebricks- go to Cutter Atlantic in Woburn- cheaper, more local, better selection etc. Call ahead- they have early hours. http://www.cutteratlantic.com/ Walking around their warehouse- I'm like a kid in a candy store.