Recently, I was privileged to participate in the Stefan Jakob Raku Kiln-Building Workshop sponsored by the Gold Coast Potters Association.  Kudos for putting on such a great workshop!

I was skeptical in the beginning as to how we could create clay work, bisque fire it, build a raku kiln and then fire the raku kiln all in the three day workshop.  But it all happened!!! Too cool!!

Here’s the blueprint:  Ikea trash bin, fibre, ceramic buttons, and lots of work!

It wasn’t easy! In fact, building the kiln was really hard manual labour! Stefan was so well-prepared and had done some of the little bits before we arrived.  But we generally did all the work ourselves.

But there was great satisfaction at the end of the process – building the kiln was really not all that  difficult and I have a much greater understanding of kilns after building this one! And a wound, which I thought looked very macho!

Amazingly, the little kiln will bisque fire in about an hour!  Too cool!

We each also made a set of raku tongs that are the bomb-best ones I’ve ever used!  Homemade is best!

The process of rakuing in this kiln is the same as any other kiln, except no pyrometers, all done by sight!
Here are a couple of pics of the outcome!

I have since fired it at home and can truly do it by myself if I have to!  It is amazing that you can get it to 1000 degrees Centigrade with wood and so quickly!  We did probably 7 loads right after another without a hitch!!! Cool!!!