KENTON BAKER - BEVERLY FISHER WOODFIRING TONY MOORE KILN

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Tony Moore had asked us to provide a design for a woodfiring kiln using a single catenary arch similar to the wood kiln design we created for The Perkins Center for the Arts in New Jersey (the South Jersey Kiln). His requirement was that the kiln main chamber be larger and the fire box larger than the original South Jersey Kiln design. The chimney could not be tall (as to alarm nearby residents) but would have to create enough pull to provide adequate draw across a long distance under almost any circumstance or conditions. This woodkiln had to have the ability to be fired fast, in less than 24 hours, or be used for extended firings lasting seven days or longer if needed to accommodate his woodfired sculpture. Lastly, the kiln needed to produce little or no black smoke emitting from the chimney, only a pale grey fume at best. Smoke was a big concern due to neighbors living nearby.

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To achieve these criteria, the woodkiln design we created incorporates a number of options. First, a double stoking door capable of firing large uncut logs or smaller wood was used. This allows one or two stokers and ensures wood sizes and distribution be flexible. We also put in smaller side stoking holes in the firebox so small to medium sized wood could be stoked across the step grate in the main fire box area. With the possibility of stacking sculpture near the front grates, this option can keep the wood from falling on or banging against sculpture while stoking. The main kiln chamber itself has two small (9"x 9") stoking ports to allow wood to be stoked at the foot of the main chamber. When using these stoke ports an ember bed is created at the base of the main chamber which will cause more radiant heat to enter into this area. Also, one can use a wide array of stoking styles such as alternate stoking patterns between the main fire box and the chamber fire box to create and fine tune the amount of flame, the degree of reduction atmosphere or just plain heat rise within the kiln chamber.

On the end of the kiln is a collection box area below the chimney stack. In this area, spent gases expand and mix
with air helping to reduce the black smoke that can occur when there is significant amounts of wood thrown into the
fire box. This collection area also helps the kiln draw well. Tony has woodfired using both short and long firing styles
in this woodkiln and has had very good results.

One last note, Tony built this woodkiln with volunteers and other friends and has done a great job as you can see
from the above photographs. The stoke doors have a unique pulley system that makes lifting up the heavy doors a
light and simple matter. This system also is adjustable if needed. In addition, there is a very clever active damper
holding system (enlarge the  photograph showing the rear of the kiln) on the back of the kiln. Using this system,
bricks are spared the weight of the stainless steel dampers which, in turn, reduces the chances of chipping or
cracking of bricks in the kiln structure. The air ports you can see in the front can be adjusted to allow almost any
amount of air into the main fire box as needed. This means the atmosphere within the kiln can be fine tuned to
almost any degree of reduction one could want. We think Tony did a magnificent job building from our design.

More detailed pictures will soon be available of this woodkiln.