An Experienced Wood Firer Shares #Kiln Plans for a Small Instructional #WoodFiredKiln

Design your own wood kiln using these wood kiln plans!

by John Thies

Excerpt: "I set out to build a very versatile and efficient wood-firing kiln that could be used by students who had interest in a complete hands-on experience, from the preparation, loading, firing and unloading to the final clean-up phase. I didn't want to interfere with the successful larger firings, in which students can get a large volume of wood-fired pots without the in-depth hands-on experience. The new kiln would allow me to cut down on the extensive labor, fuel and overhead costs of my larger kiln.

I named the new kiln '#Manabigama' at the suggestion of my friend Phil Berneburg, former technical editor for CM. In #Japanese, mana means educational or learning, bi means a thing of beauty, and gama means kiln.

The Manabigama is a traditional design with a few simple modifications. I see it as a cross between an #AnagamaKiln and a #GroundhogStyleKiln. Basically, it is a crossdraft tube built into the side of a hill. The overall interior dimensions are 24 inches in width, 7 feet in depth, 40 inches in height. Its firebox is in the front, incorporated into the inside with a grate system, and extra air intakes are built into the front and sides. This is done to provide more secondary air intake to help burn green or wet fuel. The firebox is plenty adequate being 2 feet wide, 2 feet deep and 30 inches high from the floor to ware level. The chimney has inside dimensions of 9 inches deep by 18 inches wide and is 12 feet high. The shape is a long rectangle with two straight, 18-inch-tall side walls and a catenary arch built on top. This creates ample headroom for ease of loading, as well as extra height for stacking and tall pieces.

There is approximately 24 cubic feet of ware space, more than enough for teaching purposes. The kiln door is in front, only halfway down, and is bricked up including the stoke hole. It can be loaded in two to three hours, fires evenly to Cone 10-12 in eight hours tops, or if you choose, you can fire two to three days depending on how much ash buildup you like. The consumption of fuel is also minimal-less than half a cord of wood. When loading the wood kiln, be sure to use wadding to prevent pots from sticking to shelves.

All in all, the Manabigama is a very simple design to build. It is capable of yielding wonderful ash-glazed pieces with a minimum of labor, fuel and overhead costs. And it is a fantastic wood-fired kiln for teaching without the tremendous strain of a large three-chambered kiln."

https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/daily/article/An-Experienced-Wood-Firer-Shares-Kiln-Plans-for-a-Small-Instructional-Wood-Kiln

#SolarPunkSunday #WoodFiredKiln #DIY
#Kilns #Pottery #Quicklime? #DIYKilns #TraditionalTechnology #Adaptation

So, this isn't a #Kiln (it is only spec'ed to 700 F), but it could be useful for cooking food.

How To Build Your Own #CobOven – Step-by-Step

Written by Author Cheryl Magyar Published on February 27, 2024

Excerpt: "earth ovens work – and bake well – because the heat generated by burning wood is absorbed into the thermal layer of the oven. Then that radiant heat is evenly released through the air, while conduction (from the contact of the bread dough on the hot bricks) and convection (hot rising air) play a part in the thorough baking process too.

But why would you want to build an earth oven when you already have a place to bake in your kitchen?
Well, you might want to build a cob oven because:

it has the chance to become the centerpiece of your outdoor living space – where family and friends gather to eat well, laugh and create long-lasting memories in nature.
clay is an abundant material to work with.
the wood you burn can be sourced locally, plus it’s renewable.
cob ovens are a low-impact alternative to gas or charcoal.
it gives you the chance to apply your artistic and creative abilities to a functional object.
it promotes self-reliance – you still get to bake, even if the power is out for a prolonged period of time.
food cooked in cob ovens tastes better, you’ll have to try it to find out.
you love pizza, or bread, or baked meat."

Learn more:
https://www.ruralsprout.com/cob-oven/

#SolarPunkSunday #DIY #Homesteading #TraditionalTechnology #EarthOvens #WoodFiredOvens #AncientTechnologies #NaturalBuildingMaterials

#Wikihow - How to Make a #BrickKiln

Guide to making and using an easy #DIY brick kiln for firing #pottery

Co-authored by Tony Hoang

Last Updated: March 26, 2024

"Brick kilns have been used for thousands of years to create pottery, tiles, and other common objects. Whether of simple or complex design, all brick kilns use a wood fire to harden objects inside. You can easily make brick kilns once you’ve determined the needed dimensions and identified a flat clear area outdoors. By laying brick to build the kiln’s walls and covering it with a piece of iron or ceramic fiber for its roof, you can start firing your own pottery in no time."

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Brick-Kiln

#SolarPunkSunday #WoodFiredKiln #DIY
#Kilns #Homesteading #Pottery #Quicklime #BackyardKilns #TraditionalTechnology

Ahhhh... Using a hand-drill to start a fire. Now that takes me back to my days at the Wilderness School! I'd love to try and make a pottery-kiln (I'll be researching that soon...)

#Australia - Making #lime with Primitive Technology

"When heated above 840 degrees Celsius, the lime decomposes into calcium oxide (CaO) or #Quicklime and releases carbon dioxide (CO2). When water is added to the quicklime it becomes calcium hydroxide Ca (OH)2 or #LimePutty. From here the calcium hydroxide can then be shaped into a form and allowed to set.

Carbon dioxide enters the lime putty as it dries causing it to turn back into calcium carbonate. The new calcium carbonate has then set, remaining solid and water resistant.

In my local geography, calcareous rocks such as limestone are absent leading to a difficulty in acquiring the feed stock for lime making. However, I was still able to make lime by collecting the shells of large terrestrial snails that are native to the rainforest here. The unoccupied shells of these snails were gathered up and stored at the hut. Fire wood was gathered and packed neatly into the kiln.

Importantly, the firewood was stacked on top of the grate rather than underneath it in the firebox as is the normal procedure for firing pottery. Using an ordinary updraft pottery kiln in this configuration allows it to reach much higher temperatures than would be possible during normal use. The wood was lit from above and the fire burned down towards the grate. Alternate layers of shells and wood were added on to this burning fuel bed. After adding the last layer of wood to act as a 'lid' to prevent heat loss from above I left the kiln to finish on its own, unsupervised. The whole process took about an hour and a half.

When the kiln had cooled down a few hours later, I took out the calcined shells. Not shown in the video was the fact that some shells got so hot, the dirt stuck to them turned into slag and fused to them, possibly with the lime acting a flux lowering its melting point. This extreme heat (+1200 c) should be avoided as the over burnt lime becomes 'dead lime', unable to slake in water. Most shells were still useable though. They were taken out of the kiln and had water added to them.

An exothermic reaction then ensued. Heat was produced as the lime quicklime turned into slaked lime. The water heated up creating steam and the shells decomposed into a white paste. The paste was stirred and crushed pottery was added to it as an aggregate (sand is normally used for this, I just had a lot of old pot sherds lying about to dispose of).

This lime mortar mixture was then formed into a block shape and left to dry. It took about a week and a half to set as we have had extremely humid, wet weather. The block was observed to have set demonstrating its properties.

What I created is actually lime mortar, typically used for mortaring bricks and tiles together. It’s basically the ‘Glue’ that holds together the building blocks of masonry structures. From my research 20 kg of lime mortar is used on a 1 m square section of brick wall. 5 kg of lime to 15 kg of aggregate (sand, grog etc.) per a 1 m square section of bricks. The shells, though large, are not terribly abundant. A method for finding shells efficiently needs to be made before considering making lime mortar in this fashion. From my experience sand bars in a creek sometimes accumulate snail shells from higher up in the mountains. In these spots, water velocity decreases and shells in the water tend to drop out of the water column. Additionally lime may be partially replaced with ordinary wood ash in mortar without a corresponding decrease in strength. To conclude, making lime in a land without limestone is possible but can be problematic when trying to do so on a large scale."

Watch:
https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/making-lime-with-primitive-technology

YT:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek3aeUhHaFY&t=46s

Wordpress:https://primitivetechnology.wordpress.com/

Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=2945881

#SolarPunkSunday #SustainableMaterials #TraditionalTechnology #ZeroWaste #Mortar #LimeMortar #Snailshells #Adaptation #AncientTechnologies #Science #AnimalProducts #LocalMaterials

How to Make #Lime (#Apog) from #Clamshells

Aug 1, 2020

"Eating seashells is one of your favorites?... Well, what you can do to the #clamshells?... Some of us, didn't know on how to make it into valuable product just like making lime or 'apog'. Find out in this video, saving shells to become waste."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGdEYUj5LU8

#SolarPunkSunday #SustainableMaterials #TraditionalTechnology #ZeroWaste #Clamshells #Mortar #LimeMortar #Seashells

#LimeMortar - using #OysterShells for historic preservation.

Sep 17, 2009

"This is footage from the Chincoteage lighthouse Sept 25 2009. The Historic Preservation Training Center instructors demonstrating How to create lime by adding oyster shells to water to produce mortar used in historic preservation of buildings in general. What you are seeing is the reaction of the shells in water after about 15 minutes. This mortar was used to repair the inside masonry walls of the 'OIL SHED' located beside the lighthouse. The Shells are fired to remove the carbon dioxide prior to adding them to the water in the wheel barrow. They turn to a creamy paste, known as lime or lime putty. Add sand or aggregate and apply to application."

Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF9TdI0OFMQ

#SolarPunkSunday #SustainableMaterials #HistoricPreservation #TraditionalTechnology #RestoreRepair #Restoration #Masonry

[Academic Paywall] Can Smart #Technology and #TraditionalWisdom Craft Truly #Sustainable Built Environments?

Building and Environment
Volume 267, Part B, 1 January 2025, Christina Priavolou

"The built environment significantly impacts global resource consumption and energy usage, accounting for 40 % of annual utilisation. Within this substantial ecological footprint lies the potential for transformation towards sustainability. By channeling insights from traditional practices and synthesising them with academic research, this article presents an innovative approach aiming to create built environments that are both technologically smart and deeply rooted in local wisdom.

Built environment developments often result in structures that stand as isolated entities, disconnected from their surroundings. Instead of endorsing standalone structures, this article advocates for collective actions that respect local elements. At its core, it seeks to leverage the rich insights from traditional knowledge and combine them with academic scholarship, acknowledging the contribution of traditional wisdom in addressing local needs and identities. The primary focus is on exploring how structures within the built environment can be crafted to provide both smart and context-appropriate responses to the imperative of sustainability.

The advent of Industry 4.0 technologies like Building Information Modeling and laser scanning has revolutionised the construction industry by optimising material use, energy consumption and aligning construction processes with sustainable design principles. In response to the impending Industry 4.0 revolution and the advent of such digital technologies, it becomes increasingly evident that addressing environmental concerns requires more than just smart solutions . In that respect, it is acknowledged that the built environment is a complex interplay of aesthetics, technology, environmental considerations, and societal intricacies, necessitating a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to tackle such challenges comprehensively.

Drawing from historical architectural records and built environment planning doctrines, which emphasise the importance of creating meaningful, sustainable spaces in harmony with local contexts, this approach aims to bridge the gap between globalised patterns and traditional wisdom. The #vernacular field, coined by Illich, encapsulates the essence of local wisdom, needs, and identities. The growing interest in vernacular architecture underscores its significant environmental value and ability to foster diversity linked to local climate, landscape, materials, and way of life. Moreover, previous studies have shown that integrating traditional construction techniques can offer unique solutions to contemporary sustainability challenges. For instance, Hamard et al. demonstrated how natural building materials such as cob and straw, when combined with passive design strategies, can reduce building energy consumption by up to 50 % depending on climate conditions and design features. Similarly, Nguyen et al. highlighted the adaptability of vernacular architecture in response to local climate conditions, demonstrating its potential to improve energy efficiency by reducing heating and cooling loads by 30–60 %. Ozorhon and Ozorhon [10] have also stressed the importance of actively engaging local communities in preserving cultural heritage, which fosters community ownership and resilience, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and socially cohesive outcomes.

Ιn response to pressing global environmental challenges and events, such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, this article seeks to trigger discussions for timely and holistic solutions to built environment challenges, reflecting local contexts while aligning with global sustainability goals. It seeks to enrich our understanding of how the integration of modern technology with traditional knowledge can lead to more sustainable, resilient, and community-focused built environments. This study delves into three key themes: holistic planning with traditional insights, the role of technology and multidisciplinary approaches, and the need for resilient and community-centric solutions.

Through two exploratory case studies in Greece, the article illustrates how applying these themes can create sustainable and contextually appropriate built environments while discussing the concept of convivial construction and its implications for fostering inclusive and sustainable built environments."

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360132324010473

#SolarPunkSunday #TraditionalTechnology #SolarPunk #sustainability #Vernacular #ClimateChangeAdaptation #BuildingForClimateChange #LookToThePast #BuildForTheFuture

5 Clever Ways to Use Lanolin At Home

April 28, 2023

"As we may all know, lanolin is commonly used in skincare products due to its ability to moisturize and protect the skin. However, it has many other uses around the home that you may not have known and considered.

It is a versatile and useful substance that can be used in many ways around the home. From leather conditioner to lip balm, lanolin is a natural and effective ingredient that can help you to care for and protect your belongings.

Let's explore some clever ways to use lanolin at home."

https://www.nznaturally.nz/blogs/news/5-clever-ways-to-use-lanolin-at-home

#SolarPunkSunday #OldWays #NoChemicals #AnimalProducts #TraditionalArts #TraditionalTechnology #DIYCleaners #HomeProduct #Waterproofing #NoPFAS #NoChemicals #LeatherConditioning #WoodPolish #RustPrevention #LipBalm

#EdwardianFarm - Extracting Lanolin from Sheep's Wool

"In this clip from Edwardian Farm, Ruth Goodman extracts lanolin from sheep's wool.

Lanolin, also called wool wax or wool grease, is a yellow waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals. Most lanolin used by humans comes from domestic sheep breeds that are raised specifically for their wool. Lanolin primarily consists of sterol esters. Its waterproofing property aids sheep in shedding water from their coats. Certain breeds of sheep produce large amounts of lanolin.

Lanolin and its many derivatives are used extensively in products designed for the protection, treatment and beautification of human skin.

Crude lanolin constitutes about 5–25% of the weight of freshly shorn wool. The wool from one Merino sheep will produce about 250–300 ml of recoverable wool grease. Lanolin is extracted by washing the wool in hot water with a special wool scouring detergent to remove dirt, wool grease (crude lanolin), suint (sweat salts), and anything else stuck to the wool. The wool grease is continuously removed during this washing process by centrifugal separators, which concentrate it into a wax-like substance melting at approximately 38 °C (100 °F)."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2pEIsyWD-Y

#SolarPunkSunday #AnimalProducts #Lanolin #TraditionalTechnology #NaturalWaterproofing #Waterproofing #NoChemicals #NoPFAS #OldWays