Humans have burned ceramic in wood-fired kilns for at least 10’000 years
So there’s no point quitting now!
See how it’s done, where to start, and find
out why you should give it a try too
How to make DIY pottery kilns
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Homemade and DIY pottery kilns
So, what is low-fired ceramics?
We say low-fire ceramics when it’s fired between 900 – 1100 degrees Celsius, but that just doesn’t feel right! Clay irreversibly transforms to ceramics at approximately 600 degrees Celsius; to say low-fired ceramics start at 900 degrees is just snobbery! If low-fired ceramics start at 900 degrees, we miss the fun part; the temperature range between 600 – 900 degrees: A somewhat overlooked and less explored temperature range. If Indiana Jones were to start with ceramics, I bet this would be his temperature range of choice; this is where to expect ceramic adventures in the future (or at least I do).
Low-fired ceramic and DIY pottery kilns:
Prehistoric pottery started here between 600 – 900 degrees Celsius. Humans fired their first pottery in the campfire, where 600 degrees was difficult, and 900 close to impossible.
With time, human developed more advanced kilns, gained a better understanding of combustion, and developed new firing techniques; we were able to push the kiln temperature higher and higher.
Today 1250 – 1300 degrees is a standard firing temperature for many potters and has been so for decades. High-fired pottery has long been considered more “exclusive” than low-fired pottery. And I guess this has its historical reasons; when lovely thin-walled, transparent, white porcelain came from China through the Silk Road. The European low-fired, clumpy earthenware pots must have been a dull comparison.
But this wasn’t yesterday. The Silk Road lost its vibe, China lost its high-fire porcelain secrets, and now every potter on the planet, has a professional electric kiln that can reach these temperatures; everyone burns high today! So, where did the exclusivity go?
Low-fire ceramic is the new Cool!
Now, 10’000 years later, both low-fire and extreme low-fire ceramics deserve a Renaissance!
First, low-fired ceramic is different! Low-fired is energy efficient and environment-friendly, it’s low-cost, and accessible for everyone: It’s for the many, not the few, the grassroots. Almost any simple DIY pottery kiln can reach these temperatures, and it can be fired in a small backyard. Leave the expensive professional kilns for the professionals.
Most of the kiln designs on this webpage can burn at much higher temperatures if that’s what you want, 1100 – 1200 degrees Celsius, some of them also 1250 – 1300.
Wood firing, DIY homemade & entry kilns, historic ceramic & archeology, craft and culture, raw materials, low-fired glazes, and earthenware clay. Best practices, tips and tricks.
Quick content list:
How to build a wood fired kiln for pottery
Wood fired kiln design
Wood fired kiln temperature
Primitive pottery glaze
How to build an outdoor kiln
How to cut and shape kiln bricks
Food safe ceramic glaze
Low-fire ceramic and DIY pottery kilns