Wood Firing
Wood Kiln Info
- 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.
- A wood kiln monitor will assist with all firings.
Wood Kiln Pricing
Prices are for the cubic feet of space, helping load, firing for at least one 3-hour shift, unloading, cleaning shelves and posts and returning the shelves and posts to their proper place.
Unloading happens like this: unload the kiln, clean shelves and posts and return them to their proper place, look at or inspect the work that came out of the kiln and finally pack up your pottery.
$50/cubic foot *for regularly schedule firings through LCF
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If you are interested in scheduling a private firing, please contact:
Salvatore Annunziato: salannunziato@gmail.com
Private Firing Fee Schedule
Anagama and Salt chamber: Full Kiln
Approximately 500/550 pieces
or about 75 cubic feet of work fit in the kiln.
$30/cubic foot x 95 cubic feet = $2850
Anagama kiln (front chamber) 73 cubic feet: Full Kiln
Approximately 350/400 pieces of various sizes
or about 60 cubic feet of work fits in the kiln.
$30/cubic foot x 73 cubic feet = $2190
Soda/salt kiln (back chamber) 22 cubic feet: Full Kiln
Approximately 120/140 pieces of various sizes
or about 15 cubic feet of work fit in the kiln.
$35/cubic foot x 22 cubic feet = $770
***PLEASE NOTE***
You MUST be present to fill all shifts of your kiln firing rental OR you can Pay a kiln Monitor $30 an hour to fill in for you.
Wood Kiln Schedule
Feb 11,12: Soda Chamber
Mar 11,12: Soda Chamber
Mar 31-Apr 2: Whole Kiln (Private FULL)
Apr 22-24: Whole Kiln (Private FULL)
May 20,21: Soda Chamber (Private FULL)
June 30 - July 7: Whole Kiln Greenware
August 11 -18: Whole Kiln Greenware
October 20-22: Whole Kiln
Nov 5-7: Whole Kiln (Private FULL)
Nov 18,19: Soda Chamber (Private FULL)
Dec 9,10: Soda Chamber
Preparing for the Wood Fire
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.
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.
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)