717-509-7547 Kevin Lehman Pottery
Wood Kiln Information
- The entire kiln has 2 chambers and has approximately 95 cubic feet of stacking space.
- The kiln is located in Lancaster City so we have a very specific way to fire the kiln. We do not get ANY black smoke or flame out of the chimney.
- Natural fiber cloths and closed toed shoes are required and long sleeves and long pants are suggested.
- When we fire the entire kiln, we plan on a 36 hour firing but tend to finish around 38 hours. The shifts are 3 hours. The last shift or 2 on might not be needed because we may finish earlier then 36 hours.
- The most likely schedule for the firings are: Load on Friday, start firing after the loading is finished, finish the firing on Saturday or Sunday and unload on Thursday or Saturday. We are flexible and can modify the schedule according to your needs.
- For the soda/salt kiln, we load on Saturday and fire Sunday. The kiln is ready to unload on Wednesday.
- A wood kiln monitor will assist with all firings.
Wood Kiln Information
- The entire kiln has 2 chambers and has approximately 95 cubic feet of stacking space.
- The kiln is located in Lancaster City so we have a very specific way to fire the kiln. We do not get ANY black smoke or flame out of the chimney.
- Natural fiber cloths and closed toed shoes are required and long sleeves and long pants are suggested.
- When we fire the entire kiln, we plan on a 36 hour firing but tend to finish around 38 hours. The shifts are 3 hours. The last shift or 2 on might not be needed because we may finish earlier then 36 hours.
- The most likely schedule for the firings are: Load on Friday, start firing after the loading is finished, finish the firing on Saturday or Sunday and unload on Thursday or Saturday. We are flexible and can modify the schedule according to your needs.
- For the soda/salt kiln, we load on Saturday and fire Sunday. The kiln is ready to unload on Wednesday.
- A wood kiln monitor will assist with all firings.
Preparing for the wood firing
Clay
Glaze
CLAY MUST BE HIGH FIRE CLAY!
Here are some types of clay that can be purchased for use in the wood kiln firing.
- Standard: 153, 225, 181, 182, 239, 257, 365, 380, 420, 437 or 470
- Laguna: B-mix, B-mix for wood or Soldate 60
- Highwater: Helios, Loafers Glory, Orangestone, Phoenix or Redrock
Standard 153 or 225 is good for an all around workability and a nice look in both wood and wood/salt.
Standard 182, 470 or Laguna B-mix, B-mix for wood for a different look (a little more shine and flashing in the wood) but the workability is more challenging for beginners.
Glaze
Glaze
If you have glazes, most cone 10 glaze will work (some better than others).
The colors could change in the wood and soda/salt atmosphere. Another option is to work with Velvet Underglaze for color. These can change color too in the wood and soda/salt atmosphere but it is a good place to start. If you don''t have glazes, we have studio glazes that are available for use too.
Wadding
Wadding
It is best to bring your pieces pre-wadded, with the mix below or a wadding mix of your choice. Wad your pieces BEFORE you arrive at the kiln.
Wadding mix
· 50% silica sand and 50% fire clay (Hawthorn or AP Green is what I use)