Week 7 Readings

Hi, Wes here. Thanks for joining me.

For many people interested in primitive pottery, getting pots fired is one of the biggest obstacles. Today I am going to fire this small mug in a way that is simple, accessible, inexpensive, and uses very little space. I will show you how to set it up safely and how the firing works.

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Why this method?

Building a large wood fire in your yard takes space and is not always practical. This method uses a compact charcoal setup instead.

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Equipment

The main piece of equipment is a large metal kettle like this. Mine is an enamel-steel canning kettle with many holes drilled into it.

We will fill it with charcoal as the fuel. Wood is not ideal for this setup, because charcoal burns more evenly and predictably in a small container.

Airflow is important, which is why the kettle needs holes for ventilation.

Important note: Do not use aluminium. Aluminium has a low melting point and could warp or fail. Stainless steel can also work if you can drill holes in it.

This setup works best for small pieces such as mugs, small bowls, and small pots.

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Setup

Outside, I place the kettle on bricks. The bricks serve two purposes:

1. They raise the kettle and protect the surface underneath.

2. They allow air to circulate under the kettle, which helps the charcoal burn properly.

You can set this up on cement or dirt. Asphalt may be possible, but it can soften or be damaged by heat, so use caution.

I placed a piece of plywood underneath as a test to see how hot it gets. That was a mistake, and I do not recommend putting this setup on wood.

Do not place this setup on a wooden deck.

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Inside the kettle

Inside the kettle, I place a few bricks. The mug sits on those bricks.

It is important to raise your pottery off the bottom of the kettle, because airflow underneath improves firing and reduces uneven heating.

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Fuel and protecting the surface

I use charcoal briquettes and lump charcoal. Either can work, and you can also use a mix.

One option is simply to fill the kettle with charcoal. In this case, I also have a painted piece and I want to protect the surface. To do that, I use a perforated tin can as a protective chamber. The holes allow ventilation while reducing direct charcoal contact.

I also place a pottery sherd above the piece. This helps keep charcoal from touching the mug directly.

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Starting the fire

I start the charcoal and let it act as a preheater and primary fire.

I already dried the mug in the oven, so I know it is very dry. Charcoal also tends to start gradually, which helps reduce thermal shock.

Once the charcoal is burning well, I add more fuel. You want at least 2–3 inches of charcoal space around the pot to provide even heat.

As the charcoal heats up, the initial smoke reduces.

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Firing temperature and timing

At peak firing, the temperature reached around 868°C, and briefly over 900°C. I could see the pot inside glowing red.

After about 40 minutes, the pot was fully fired. At that point, it was mainly a matter of waiting for it to cool safely.

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Safety lesson: heat underneath

The area beneath the kettle got much hotter than I expected. The plywood underneath actually caught fire.

This shows how much heat can build underneath the setup. Do not place it on wood or on any surface that could burn.

If you are using asphalt, consider adding extra layers of bricks or a larger heat barrier. Use your best judgement and prioritise safety.

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Cooling and removal

After about two hours, the pot was still hot. After about four hours, it had cooled to around 100°C.

At that point, I removed the pottery sherd and lifted out the mug.

The protective “make-do” chamber inside (the tin can and temporary shielding) worked, although it became brittle and was essentially a one-time use solution.

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Result

The mug came out close to how I wanted it. It also rings, which suggests a successful firing. Since temperatures reached well over 800°C and briefly over 900°C, I am pleased with the outcome.

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Closing

Thanks so much for joining me today. I really appreciate it.

Until next time, I wish you health, happiness, peace, and love. Take care.