Simple Drip Burners

Drip plate burners work best in a hot kiln. The initial heating is best done with another fuel. In this case it's wood.

A simple drip plate burner can be made from  three pieces of  steel U channel. I hope that a simple spot weld will allow the channels to be repositioned as the bottom channel is eroded in the fire.

This is how the burners set into the firebox air intakes. The small pieces on top are brackets to hold the oil pipes.

Just off the shelf plumbing parts for this burner. A short 3/8" nipple is welded to the top bracket then to a 1/2" control valve, then to 3/4" supply pipe.

The supply pipes are connected at the top and the whole unit can be removed when firing with wood.

 When firing completely with oil I would need 45 to 55 gal. of oil. Since (in this case) I am only finishing off with oil, this small reservoir made from a half barrel will be more than enough.  Here a 1" pipe with a shutoff valve has been welded to the tank. When I am far enough away from the heat of the kiln 1" reenforced vinyl hose can be used. If you are not absolutely sure you will be below 150 deg. F then use flexible copper. Even if you are sure, keeping a cheap thermometer on the pipe would seem to be a good idea.  Remember every setup will be different and will require safety decisions made on the spot by you.  Dennis Parks in his book "A Potter's Guide To Raw Glazing And Oil Firing" recommends at least 10' between the oil reservoir and the kiln. I would recommend Parks' book to anyone interested in this process.

Well, I just had to include this nite time photo of the kiln, ready to go.

The Shape of the Day

Heat Work Blog November 12, 2013

Although the temperature is in the twenties tonight, the pottery is a balmy sixty degrees thanks to the communal efforts of potters Ron Deaver, Robbie Teasdale, and Clarence Hayes. Ron, master scavenger, supplied the “repurposed” foam insulation; Robbie spent long hours cutting and fitting it into the ceiling; and Clarence cut and helped nail the strips. So the potters are warm at last. The fact that there hands are always in water or cold clay, makes the heated work space kinder on the hands.

Clarence is going out this evening to rewire the electric kiln. Ten years old, the elements burnt up on the last bisque firing. Between the three potters, there are olive oil jars, many cups and tumblers, bowls, flower pots, bottles big and small, flasks, plates and candle holders for Christmas.

Art is not only the final product on the day the kiln opens. Art is the shape of the day for Robbie. He builds the fire when he arrives in the morning, and Clarence keeps it in the evening while he does his “second shift” after remodeling and building. Ron works before or after his third shift. Art is sometimes the place you go to find yourself. We anticipate the first firing, but for some time now, we anticipate the next leap in our imaginations and in our craftsmanship.

Bobtown Arts. Inc. became official this month, and there’s work to do in establishing it as a community pottery studio.

The sky is clear and the moon is sharp—maybe on such a night soon we’ll see flames from the kiln shooting up toward the stars.

Vicky Hayes