Alright, let’s talk about burnin’ bricks, you know, like in them big ol’ ovens they got. I ain’t no expert, but I seen a thing or two, and I can tell ya, it ain’t as simple as throwin’ some mud in a fire.
First off, them brick-makin’ folks, they gotta dig up the right kinda dirt, they call it clay. This ain’t just any dirt, mind you, it gotta be sticky and hold together good. Then they mix it with water, sometimes they add other stuff too, I dunno, secret recipes I guess. They make the bricks in molds so they all the same size.
Then comes the burnin’ part, the real important part. They got these big ovens, kilns they call ’em, and they stack them bricks in there real careful-like. Now, burnin’ bricks ain’t just about gettin’ ’em hot, it’s about gettin’ ’em hot just right. Too hot, they crumble, too cold, they ain’t strong enough. It’s gotta be just so. That’s why folks use those zig-zag kilns and some other fancy ones, they get the heat spread out all nice and even.
I heard tell them brick folks, they gotta watch the fire real close. They use coal mostly for the fire, sometimes other stuff too, depends on what they got I reckon. They gotta make sure the fire burns steady and hot, and they gotta keep an eye on the smoke too. Smoke tells ya a lot, they say. If it’s black and thick, somethin’ ain’t right. If it’s thin and light, you good to go.
Burnin’ them bricks takes time too, it ain’t a quick thing. Sometimes it takes days, even weeks, dependin’ on how many bricks they got in there and how big the kiln is. And the fire has gotta get those bricks really really hot or the bricks will be no good. Then after burning them they gotta let them cool slowly, otherwise the bricks will crack. All of this really makes the bricks strong.
- First, gotta find the right clay, sticky and holds good.
- Then, gotta mix that clay with water, maybe some secret stuff too.
- Make the bricks with those molds, all the same size.
- Stack them bricks in the kiln, that big oven, real careful.
- Burn ’em just right, not too hot, not too cold, gotta be just so.
- Watch the fire, make sure it burns steady, keep an eye on the smoke.
- Takes time, days even weeks, to burn them bricks right.
Now, I heard some folks say burnin’ bricks ain’t good for ya. All that smoke and dust, it gets in your lungs, makes you cough and wheeze. And liftin’ them heavy bricks all day, that ain’t easy on your back neither. Them brick workers, I feel for ’em, it’s hard work and not good for your health. And those that have worked in the brick factory for a long time, well, you see them with breathing problems, all stuffed up and what not, and their bones ain’t good either. They walk all hunched over. It’s a hard life for sure. I hear them scientists have been looking into it, and they say it’s bad for you for a fact.
But ya know, we need them bricks. Houses, stores, roads, they all made with bricks. So, I guess somebody gotta burn ’em. It’s just the way of things, gotta do what ya gotta do to get by. And them bricks need to be strong, it’s about keeping safe so it’s important that the brick burning is done the right way so everything is good and strong.
So next time you see a brick wall, or a brick building, remember, somebody worked real hard to make them bricks. They dug the clay, mixed it up, molded it, and burned it. It’s more than just a brick, it’s a whole lotta work and sweat and know-how.
And that’s about all I know about burnin’ bricks. Like I said, I ain’t no expert, but I seen enough to know it ain’t easy. It’s important work though, gotta have them bricks for all sorts of things.
Tags: [kiln, bricks, brickmaking, burning, clay, construction, building materials, health, zig zag kiln, coal]
