The NEW Soda Kiln

The month of September has disappeared in a flurry of activity, namely, kiln building.  After we tore down the Raku Kiln, the previous Soda Kiln, and small test soda, it was time to rebuild the Soda Kiln in its new home.  The advanced students were a tremendous help rebuilding the kiln.  Here some of them (Morgan, Brendan, and Ryan) are prepping the arch for the castable we were using for the key. 

Once we poured the castable, it was time for a mudding of the arch.  This is just the first layer of a combination of recycle clay, sand, and sawdust.  After this came a layer of scrap soft brick, then more of this yummy goo.

Then came the chimney, at least the brick part of it.  We moved the damper to the front side of the chimney for easier access.

Vince and Brendan placed the culvert on top of the brick part of the chimney.  This extends through the metal roof and is held in place with more castable.  I had an adventurous time picking up the culvert pipe in Cookeville. It was during a downpour, which after three weeks of rain, became a flood.  I was very glad to be in the Craft Center's truck and not my car! 

Here is our "new" burner system.  Same burners as the last one, but a more uniform piping system, and easier access to the valves.  Gotta love the yellow!

Isn't she a beauty?  Our new soda kiln.  I wonder who will be the first to fire her.