Building History: Our Wood-Fired Kiln Story

Published: February 21, 2025 Reading Time: 5 minutes

There's something special about building a kiln that connects you to generations of potters before you. When I decided to construct my own wood-fired kiln in Stokes County, I wanted to create more than just a firing chamber – I wanted to build a bridge between past and present.

Preserving North Carolina Pottery Heritage

The journey began with a stroke of luck: the opportunity to salvage bricks from A.R. Cole's historic kiln in Sanford, NC. Cole was a pivotal figure in North Carolina pottery, and using these bricks meant our new kiln would carry forward a piece of that legacy. Each brick we cleaned held decades of firing history within it.

Traditional Kiln Design and Construction

For the design, I drew inspiration from John James' twin Bourry box kiln in Warwick, Australia. The Bourry box design, developed in France in the late 1800s, is known for its efficient firing process and ability to create unique flame patterns. Our kiln features a 100 cubic foot chamber – large enough for substantial firings while maintaining precise temperature control.

Focusing on the Details

Construction took 18 months, with every detail carefully considered. The angle and height of the chimney, the placement of the firebox, and the height of the chamber all play crucial roles in how flames and ash move through the kiln. It's a delicate balance of physics and craftsmanship that has been refined over centuries.

What Makes our Kiln Special

What makes this kiln special isn't just its construction – it's how it fires. During a typical 36-hour firing, we'll go through several cords of wood. As the wood burns, ash naturally deposits on the pots, creating unique patterns and natural glazes that can't be replicated any other way. The results are always a collaboration between the potter, the flame, and the kiln.

The Story of Fire and Ash

Each firing is a reminder of why I chose this path. While electric and gas kilns offer consistency, wood firing connects us to the elemental nature of pottery. Every piece that emerges tells a story of its journey through the flame, carrying forward both the history of those salvaged bricks and the promise of new traditions being born.

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Our wood-fired kiln operates throughout the year, with firings typically lasting 36 hours. Studio visits are welcome by appointment for those interested in seeing this unique kiln in person.