28 thoughts on “Urban Anasazi Pottery Kiln video #1”
Stonearches
Great video Tony. I took your first class at Anza Borrego and loved it. You gave us paperwork explaining this kiln using a trash can. The video makes it easier to understand. Thank you.
I love this, and can’t wait to try it. I’ve fired with charcoal before, using an old Weber charcoal grill. I put the pieces in coffee cans to protect them. Amazingly, everything fired up well and survived with no cracking! Warning: It pretty much destroys the Weber, so look for old ones, like at yard sales. The nice shiny finish will not survive!
I can’t afford a Weber grill, but I do have a handcrafted grill made from an old box can. I cut an opening on the right base and then cut the metal off its left tall side.
Great video of an awesome process. As a sculptor, I’ve been wanting a way to pit fire larger works. This method should be perfect as it can be scaled up to do larger pieces. Super. Very well narrated and to the point. thanks.
now here’s a technique I can use in my backyard!! do have a couple questions…. How long do your bricks last? will they tend to break over time? Would it be better to use firebrick? Does the “non-briquette” type charcoal (lump & fragmented charcoal) work with this method? does it have to be charcoal; I have access to a large volume of wood chips (I have a wood lathe) and could easily fill the space with hardwood fragments and lathe curls; would they get hot enough while also giving a reducing atmosphere??
If I don’t have a large metal container to cover it…would it work to seal it up with earth and clay? (with that idea in mind, would putting it down in a pit help with that aspect?) Definately going to have to give this a try!!
Watch how this guy did it…it’s amazing! https://youtu.be/OZtWewsZAsI He has a pit and uses sawdust so should be perfect for you. Make sure you video it and share with us all. I’d love to see the results!
Yes you can get higher temps with more charcoal or use lump charcoal instead. Also you can use a wire mesh cage instead of bricks. I think I used 15 pounds of charcoal maybe 20 pounds.
That was AWESOME! Thank you so much for making this video.
I’m just getting into pottery and I am thinking this will be a craft that will last the rest of my life.
Great video, really motivates me to try this technique. My mother made native pottery when I was a kid. She has went on to the next life. Now I want to carry on what she did. Thanks for the video. Your pottery looks great and it sure had a pretty ring sound when you tapped it.
That was great! Thank you so much for posting this. At school the only method without a store bought kiln was a wood based raku. this is brilliant! Absolutely gonna use this method. My niece and I are really impressed!
Thank you for your prompt reply, I watched your other Video where you make the, Paddle and Anvil Pot, which I found most inspiring. I love the simplicity and beauty of the piece and the History behind it all.
More importantly for me, was your natural talent and desire to Share and inspire (I’m 73 by the way and you certainly inspired me to take up my Clay working again) and hope that you don’t have to Artistically starve to often as it would be a great loss to lose someone of your nature.
All the best to you and thank you once again.
🙋♀️🌈🌞
Great video Tony. I took your first class at Anza Borrego and loved it. You gave us paperwork explaining this kiln using a trash can. The video makes it easier to understand. Thank you.
I love this, and can’t wait to try it. I’ve fired with charcoal before, using an old Weber charcoal grill. I put the pieces in coffee cans to protect them. Amazingly, everything fired up well and survived with no cracking! Warning: It pretty much destroys the Weber, so look for old ones, like at yard sales. The nice shiny finish will not survive!
I can’t afford a Weber grill, but I do have a handcrafted grill made from an old box can. I cut an opening on the right base and then cut the metal off its left tall side.
Great video of an awesome process. As a sculptor, I’ve been wanting a way to pit fire larger works. This method should be perfect as it can be scaled up to do larger pieces. Super. Very well narrated and to the point. thanks.
now here’s a technique I can use in my backyard!! do have a couple questions…. How long do your bricks last? will they tend to break over time? Would it be better to use firebrick? Does the “non-briquette” type charcoal (lump & fragmented charcoal) work with this method? does it have to be charcoal; I have access to a large volume of wood chips (I have a wood lathe) and could easily fill the space with hardwood fragments and lathe curls; would they get hot enough while also giving a reducing atmosphere??
If I don’t have a large metal container to cover it…would it work to seal it up with earth and clay? (with that idea in mind, would putting it down in a pit help with that aspect?) Definately going to have to give this a try!!
Watch how this guy did it…it’s amazing! https://youtu.be/OZtWewsZAsI He has a pit and uses sawdust so should be perfect for you. Make sure you video it and share with us all. I’d love to see the results!
Yes you can get higher temps with more charcoal or use lump charcoal instead. Also you can use a wire mesh cage instead of bricks. I think I used 15 pounds of charcoal maybe 20 pounds.
That was AWESOME! Thank you so much for making this video.
I’m just getting into pottery and I am thinking this will be a craft that will last the rest of my life.
qom in Nu Iii in Nu i
Great video, really motivates me to try this technique. My mother made native pottery when I was a kid. She has went on to the next life. Now I want to carry on what she did. Thanks for the video. Your pottery looks great and it sure had a pretty ring sound when you tapped it.
That was great! Thank you so much for posting this. At school the only method without a store bought kiln was a wood based raku. this is brilliant! Absolutely gonna use this method. My niece and I are really impressed!
Down to earth, knowledgeable presentation…even a greenie can follow along with what you do. Well done!
When you fire the pot again will the carbonization burn off?
Yes
Thank you so much for your video. I’ve been looking for an economical pottery kiln to make. This is perfect! Have a great day!!!!
Thank you, Tony! And thanks for the details of firing time (3.5 hours, +@8 hours ‘cool down’), and temperature reached (1200^^degrees).
Great results. I never thought that so few charcoal briquets could do such a good job. Economical and easy to make.
Yup charcoal burns hotter then wood
@Tony Soares Native Clays thank you.
I knew this could work.
Thank you!
Thank you for the video! It makes me feel like I can do that. There are many types of clay. What type did you use?
I dig all my clays in the desert here in SoCal
Thanks a lot for this. Been trying to figure out how to fire my clay for ages.
This is so great! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I live in a city and can’t have an open pit fire, this is a great low-key alternative.
What an idea, it’s sensational, I could use this method for my pottery, it’s great and awesome, luv it, thank you for sharing.
Thank you for your prompt reply, I watched your other Video where you make the, Paddle and Anvil Pot, which I found most inspiring. I love the simplicity and beauty of the piece and the History behind it all.
More importantly for me, was your natural talent and desire to Share and inspire (I’m 73 by the way and you certainly inspired me to take up my Clay working again) and hope that you don’t have to Artistically starve to often as it would be a great loss to lose someone of your nature.
All the best to you and thank you once again.
🙋♀️🌈🌞
Amazing I just make it every month. Sometimes things are very lean and sometimes I have plenty. I just save for the droughts 😜 thank you 🙏🏼
Ive been looking at many methods of doing this and as i have mobility and strength issues, this seems quit feasible for me. Thank you so much!
I’m a metal artist and I have always wanted to combine the two art forms together. Now that I’ve seen this I’m going to do it. Thanks for the video!