Cuisson Équinoxe d'automne, la troisième

20 spetembre 2013

Première section de l'arrière du four

deuxième section

section devant la marche et les côtés

 La cuisson part, elle est équilibré et bien dosé. 

Elle est calme, mais intense. Elle respire et elle expire.

                                      

                                          

  

                                          

                                      

22 septembre 2013

22 septembre 2013

The Dragon fly-ash Gama

November 23rd -24th 2012-YEAR OF THE DRAGON-
The first firing was extraordinary! Everything went smoothly. The kiln was surrounded by passionate people, alot of wood and beautiful moon rays.
The temperature rose gradually the entire time. We all stayed relaxed but focused. The last 3 hours were very intense but very exciting. And out of the blue 6 friends showed up almost at the same time. They brought their energy, encouragement, food and enormous help. The firing lasted about 24hours including the warming-up.
Soon we'll open the kiln to reveal it's potential. I am extremely thankful to all the elements that made this amazing experience come through.

November 23rd 2012, loading the kiln for the first time
9am

Daniel in the kiln

4PM, the kiln is almost full

Start of kiln around 6h30pm

24th of november 2012, 1AM, the fire is finally warming us up a little

It is -4 oustide and it snowed

8AM, around cone05

8h25AM, chopping wood into smaller strips

The chopper

9AM , the kiln is going gradually and stongly

THE DREAMTEAM

2h30PM
The sensei

3h30 and cones 5 and 8 and 9 are down

4h20, the final countdown begins as cone 10 is bending

Full steam ahead

5h30pm,Final reduction

Fire show begins! 

Impressive flammes!

An unforgettable adventure

Building the Dragon

October 1st 2012, it's a miracle because I have a dream team all in place and booked to help me build my kiln.
Laying the floor with cement blocks.

measuring distances with the wooden frame

Daniel was the designer of the kiln and played the most important role

Me, mixing mortar. Alot more to go.

Hard brick walls are going up before the floor. I would have finished the floor before starting the walls.
J-D's technique. A very good idea.

Jean-David, a friend and a masson taught us many tricks of the trade.
Insulating the floor before putting the bricks.

Great team work. Starting the arch.

More work on the arch putting a fireclay and grog mix between bricks.

The arch is done. It took 2 days to finish it.

A great moment, removing the frame and seeing if it all holds together.

Looks good and straight!

Jean-David

Bryan and Veronik (left) taking care of the roof to come.

Building the door. Pascale (inside) helping with the scrapping inside the kiln.

The door is finished and Daniel has the pleasure and honour to bang the clef de voûte.

Stephane(with mask) helping with the insulation of the arch.

covering the kiln with mortar. (me)
J-D (left) getting the chimeney started. the chimeney is 2 thicknesses of soft brick.

David, also a masson, was a huge help all along

The chimeney being finished with cement block on the outside and 2 thicknesses of soft bricks on the inside.

It's the last day. The kiln and the door and the chimeney are all finished. It was a long day. 

The kiln is finished! Small fires are lit in it to dry out the chimeney and the kiln itself.
The building took 8 big days with the dream team: Daniel, Chris, Jean-David, David and Bryan who made the roof
And great friends who gave alot of time and energy to help: Veronik, Pascale and Stephane
The kiln belongs to all of them and their next generation too.
Saying THANK YOU is such s little word for all your energy, time and skills.
I hope the DRAGON will reward us all.