Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another project update. This time, I decided to tackle something I’ve been putting off for a while – building a small, basic kiln in my backyard. I wanted a place where I could experiment with pottery and maybe even try my hand at making some simple ceramics. And of course, the most important part of any kiln? The fire clay bricks.
So, I started my journey with a lot of research. I mean, I had to figure out what kind of bricks I needed. I dove deep into the internet and found there are tons of options out there. I learned that fire clay bricks are specially made to handle crazy high temperatures. I looked at all sorts of websites and forums, trying to soak up as much info as possible. I even watched some videos of people building their own kilns, which was pretty inspiring.
Once I felt like I had a decent grasp on the basics, I started to plan out my kiln. I sketched out a simple design, nothing too fancy, just a small structure where I could fire up some clay. Then came the fun part – sourcing the materials. I needed fire clay bricks, and let me tell you, finding the right ones wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I started locally and called up a few brick suppliers in the Seattle area. They gave me some quotes, but they were all over the place. I learned that price can vary a lot depending on the quality and quantity.
After a few days of searching, I finally found a supplier that had some good quality fire clay bricks at a reasonable price. They explained that these bricks are made from special clay that can withstand super high heat without cracking or melting. They also mentioned that they use high heat when making these bricks, which makes them extra tough. I ordered a batch and made plans to pick them up the next day. I also looked into mortar because you gotta stick those bricks together, right? I found out there’s special refractory mortar made just for this kind of job. It’s designed to handle the heat just like the bricks, so it seemed like the way to go.
Once I had my bricks and mortar, I started building the kiln. I followed my sketch and laid down the first layer of bricks, making sure everything was level and sturdy. Then I mixed up the refractory mortar, which was kind of like making a really thick, heat-resistant paste. I carefully applied the mortar to each brick and started building up the walls, one layer at a time. It was slow going, but seeing it take shape was pretty cool. I’ve gotta say, working with fire clay bricks is not that easy. They’re heavy and you have to be precise with the mortar, but I was determined to get it right.
After a few days of hard work, my little kiln was finally finished. It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine. I let it dry for a couple of days to make sure the mortar was fully set, and then it was time for the first test run. I gathered some small clay pieces I had made earlier and carefully placed them inside. Then I started a small fire, gradually increasing the temperature. I kept a close eye on it, making sure nothing was cracking or falling apart.
- The kiln held up great! The fire clay bricks did their job, and the temperature inside got really hot, just like I wanted.
- My little clay pieces came out perfectly fired. They were hard and durable, and I was super proud of myself.
Results
All in all, this project was a success. I learned a ton about fire clay bricks and how to work with them. Plus, I now have a functional kiln in my backyard. I can’t wait to start experimenting more with pottery and ceramics. If you’re thinking about building a kiln or anything that needs to withstand high heat, fire clay bricks are definitely the way to go. Just make sure you do your research and get the right kind. Trust me, it makes all the difference.
Stay tuned for more projects, and as always, thanks for following along!
