How to Build Brick Kilns

Bricks are a good choice for building kilns, since they can endure high heat; furthermore, brick kilns retain most of their heat inside the structure. Hard firebrick is available at hardware stores for a reasonable price, making a home-built brick kiln a cost-effective alternative for hobby potters who do not want to purchase an expensive electric kiln. Brick kilns are ideal for firing clay and pottery; however, they do not work for stoneware, which requires higher temperatures than can be generated in a brick kiln.

Things You'll Need

  • Blueprint
  • Fire bricks
  • Kiln coils and control box
  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Miter saw
  • High-heat mortar
  • Metal sheet
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Instructions

    • 1

      Create the brick kiln plan and prepare a blueprint. Decide how large you want the kiln, and mark the dimensions on the blueprint.

    • 2

      Build a level base for the kiln by digging into the ground. Be sure to measure the size of the kiln's base so that the hole is sufficient.

    • 3

      Place your bricks in a square to cover the base. Do not mortar these bricks, but simply put them close together.

    • 4

      Construct a brick wall atop the base on one side by staggering the bricks. Use a pencil to mark bricks that must be cut to fit gaps, and cut them with a miter saw. The size of the brick wall must match the length of the base, which is also the height of the wall. Use high-heat mortar between the bricks to affix them. Repeat the procedure on the other three sides.

    • 5

      Put your control box on the outside of the brick kiln. Drill holes so the coils can pass through into the kiln. Cover the kiln with a metal sheet to create the top of the structure.

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