Stove top bisque?

On Sun, 04 Apr 2004 15:43:07 GMT, "Sam" wrote:


I hate to be the type of guy who asks a question first then goes and
does a google search, but...

I have been doing a bunch of tiny carvings (less than one inch in any
direction) and driving them 20 miles away to have them fired and refired and
refired. No, I can't afford a kiln yet (semi-retired/independently just
scraping by) but it's getting so that I can't afford the drive either in gas
or time.

Is it possible to do bisque firing on my gas stove? Maybe some small
fire bricks balanced on the stove? If not, cqn it be done with a propane
torch? Any plans, ideas or slaps upside the head for even thinking of such a
thing appreciated...


I think you can do this with a propane torch, if the kiln is small
enough, or well-insulated enough. I've seen plans for
homebrew kilns fired by propane, so you would just need a smaller
version to use a torch. You'll probably want to make it out of
firebrick for insulation, both to allow higher temperatures and to
keep your fuel costs down. Firebrick isn't cheap to buy new, so
look around for used bricks from places with industrial furnaces, etc.

You might find it cheaper to use a big propane tank instead
of the little Berz-O-Matic torch tanks.

If all else fails, consider going to a single-fire operation to avoid
half of your commutes!


Bob Masta
dqatechATdaqartaDOTcom

D A Q A R T A
Data AcQuisition And Real-Time Analysis
www.daqarta.com

In article ,
Sam wrote:

"Deborah M Riel" wrote :

The minigama kilns I saw being made were kind of sculptural little
table-top sized kilns made from clay and fired with charcoal.

This would be perfect, but my search for "minigama" sent me to images of
room sized ovens. I would appreciate any additional details you can
remember.



I found this bit of information on a Clayart archive:

http://www.potters.org/subject63927.htm

Naoko was a student at the Worcester Center for Crafts, so I'm sure
she is talking about the same kilns I saw being made there.

The kilns are made from a refractory clay body, and fired with
charcoal (or wood). Maybe the book in the above link is still
available.

I should've taken the course the last time it was offered...

Deb R.

Sam,

This link will take you to some images of the mini-gamas Deb was
talking about. It loads slow - lots of images.
http://www1.odn.ne.jp/cbh95720/minigama.html

I have a copy of the translated book (can get you the e-mail address
for it - the book's at school being used by one of the students).
This is what I used as a guideline for the one I just finished. Am
waiting for it to dry so I can bisque and then fire it. Will be using
wood along with the charcoal to fire it.

One of the ClayArt members has built and fired hers successfully.
I'll see what information I can dig up later this evening.

Lori

"Sam" wrote in message . com...
"Deborah M Riel" wrote :

The minigama kilns I saw being made were kind of sculptural little
table-top sized kilns made from clay and fired with charcoal.

This would be perfect, but my search for "minigama" sent me to images of
room sized ovens. I would appreciate any additional details you can
remember.

In article ,
Lori wrote:
Sam,

This link will take you to some images of the mini-gamas Deb was
talking about. It loads slow - lots of images.
http://www1.odn.ne.jp/cbh95720/minigama.html

I have a copy of the translated book (can get you the e-mail address
for it - the book's at school being used by one of the students).
This is what I used as a guideline for the one I just finished. Am
waiting for it to dry so I can bisque and then fire it. Will be using
wood along with the charcoal to fire it.

One of the ClayArt members has built and fired hers successfully.
I'll see what information I can dig up later this evening.

Lori

Yes, those are exactly the type of little kiln I meant! How did you
ever come across that link? I did massive googling and couldn't come
up with much information. I did, however, post a link to the address
and email for Naoko Gomi, who translated Mr. Yoshiba's book on making
these kilns. I noticed the information is a year old, so it might be
outdated. Naoko is still at the Worcester Center for Crafts, though,
so maybe I can find out if the book is available if I happen to see
her.

Deb R.

"Lori" wrote :

I'll see what information I can dig up later this evening.

I appreciate that, the images seem like exactly what I am interested in.

Hi, Deb!

I purchased 2 in December for Christmas gifts, so hopefully, she's
still got a few laying around - $14 each. Had them within the week.
The link should still be good.

I googled for images - just used "minigama" - and, then bookmarked the
search.

Good luck! Hope you can lay your hands on a copy - it's a real,
little treasure.

The clay I used for my "Baby Beast" is a commercial stoneware with
tons of grog - wouldn't want to try throwing with this stuff - it'd
take your fingerprints off... We've nicknamed it "Baby" until we see
what kind of characteristics it displays.

I built the one with the double fire-box - our student is building the
original. His will only hold maybe a teabowl. The ware chamber on
mine is a bit larger.

Will look for the clay recipe that one of the others used later
tonight - have to get back to school for now.

(We have one East Indian lady in the class who wants me to make
Tandoori Chicken with it - claims it's perfect for not only the
chicken, but for baking the Naan (bread) as well. We'll see!!)

Lori


This link will take you to some images of the mini-gamas Deb was
talking about. It loads slow - lots of images.
http://www1.odn.ne.jp/cbh95720/minigama.html

Yes, those are exactly the type of little kiln I meant! How did you
ever come across that link? I did massive googling and couldn't come
up with much information. I did, however, post a link to the address
and email for Naoko Gomi, who translated Mr. Yoshiba's book on making
these kilns. I noticed the information is a year old, so it might be
outdated. Naoko is still at the Worcester Center for Crafts, though,
so maybe I can find out if the book is available if I happen to see
her.

Deb R.

I'll see what information I can dig up later this evening.

I appreciate that, the images seem like exactly what I am interested in.

Well, Sam, there's not too much out there, but this is what one of the
ClayArt members used for hers:

************************************************** ****

the mix is equal parts of fireclay....ball clay...
and kaolin...then I add two parts of sawdust...
top off with grog if you have some around....
It seems to make a durable body for the minigama
kiln....it stays soft....porous...able to
re-heat in the next firing...but durable for a few
firings...

The walls of my kiln were about 1/2 inch thick...
I bisque fired the kiln in a regular gas kiln...

************************************************** ****

A very heavily grogged clay is recommended. I built it with one inch
walls. Depending on the style, you'll need at least one blow dryer
and some charcoal. I believe she said she used about 40 pounds of
charcoal and reached top temp in 3-4 hours.

Good luck! Keep us posted.

Lori

(I don't want to put information out where all the nasties can find
it, so I'll send you the contact information for the book off-list
from my business address.)

Lori

(I don't want to put information out where all the nasties can find
it, so I'll send you the contact information for the book off-list
from my business address.)

Sam,

My message to you wouldn't go, so here's the contact info for the
Minigama book:

Naoko Gomi
PO Box 311
Princeton, MA 01541



I'm pretty sure it was only $14 for the book, which included postage,
but just to be on the safe side you might want to e-mail her first to
make sure.

Also, if you can get to a library, see if you can find a copy of "Low
Fire - Other Ways to Work in Clay" by Leon I. Nigrosh. Page 16 has a
write-up for a "fireclay kiln" that can be done in your back yard. I
don't know how hot it will fire - you didn't state what cone you're
firing to with your carvings - but it will certainly be a low-fire
technique. Looks like fun, too! Lots of interesting information.

If you can't locate a copy of the book, send me your mailing address
off-list and I'll get you copies of these pages.

And, if there's anything else we can help with, please don't be afraid
to ask -we're all in this together.

Take care,

Lori

Lori,

I think I tried emailing her at that address a few months ago and had no
response. Can you post it again? Perhaps I copied it wrong.

Thanks,

Janet

Lori wrote:
Sam,

This link will take you to some images of the mini-gamas Deb was
talking about. It loads slow - lots of images.
http://www1.odn.ne.jp/cbh95720/minigama.html

I have a copy of the translated book (can get you the e-mail address
for it - the book's at school being used by one of the students).
This is what I used as a guideline for the one I just finished. Am
waiting for it to dry so I can bisque and then fire it. Will be using
wood along with the charcoal to fire it.

One of the ClayArt members has built and fired hers successfully.
I'll see what information I can dig up later this evening.

Lori

"Sam" wrote in message . com...

"Deborah M Riel" wrote :

The minigama kilns I saw being made were kind of sculptural little
table-top sized kilns made from clay and fired with charcoal.

This would be perfect, but my search for "minigama" sent me to images of
room sized ovens. I would appreciate any additional details you can
remember.

Janet,

This is the only e-mail address I have for her:



I guess the only thing to do is keep trying to contact her.

Here's the link from the original posting on ClayArt -

http://lsv.ceramics.org/scripts/wa.e...AYART&P=R15476

The price for the book is $14.00. You can simply mail her a check or
money order for your copy with mailing information. She's such an
honest soul that when I ordered my 2 copies for Christmas and sent a
check for $28.00, she included with those 2 copies the change for the
difference in postage. I did e-mail her ahead of time to let her know
I was sending the order. And, come to think of it, I don't remember
getting a response - just the books.

Lori

Janet Price wrote in message ...
Lori,

I think I tried emailing her at that address a few months ago and had no
response. Can you post it again? Perhaps I copied it wrong.

Thanks,

Janet