When I took my first pottery class more than a decade ago, the teacher I had was good overall but for some reason she could not teach me to center. As a result, I quickly fell behind all of the other students who were pulling their first mugs and what not and I was still over in the corner exasperated because I would not center my clay. I came into open studio the following Saturday and the young volunteer running the studio saw that I was having a problem and he taught me your method and I was centering clay easily in no time.

It looks like the ware chamber is made of "soft brick" and from your "Olsen fast fire kiln 1" video you are using "soft brick" for the arch. So, what temperature/cone are you firing to?

I've been teaching that method for 50+ years. Your instruction is spot on! Centering is key to good pottery and quick centering is vital to development. Good video.

Thank you for sharing. I have a question. Why that firing was reduction? Is the oxygen chamber reduced due to the construction where the fire inlet which is on the right and left sides of the chimney?

Great video, thanks for documenting. Im about to buit one myself. I love the molten pot... cheers!

Hey, did you ever make any more videos? I'd love to know if you ever got better results/ were able to force the kiln to fire for longer?

Why are you using fiberboard? Just buy some bricks….. or kaowool board

Looks great!

Do you know the part number or size of the bearings? P.s., is that accent from Boston ?

I understand the idea of a 'fast-fire' kiln, in terms of time and fuel efficiency, but I have to say that the results in this video look pretty pasty compared to pots fired in slower firings. Longer firings - including those that soak at a lower temperature for long periods - seem to produce richer results. For example, I used to work for a factory that - at one time, produced reduction-fired pottery: they fired stoneware clays up to 1160c, but would soak at that temperature for 4 HOURS, resulting in heat work ( and effects) equivalent to cone 8/9. So, I believe soaking to be key to firing; even if the initial rise is quick. Hold that top temperature for a while and I think the results will be better. Just a thought... Thanks for the video: I wish I had the know-how to build a kiln in the way you have. All the best with it!

Did you ever fire again? It’s been three years since your last one. I was hoping you were able to dial your glazes and temperature issues in. I’ve heard mixed report about this kiln design. What do you think?

looks very oxidised , you should do a body reduction at 900. I fired many olsen kilns, and you may think you are in reduction with flames coming out of the port holes, but dont be fooled

Beautifully made. Be blessed. Hope you get many awesome pots and etc. out of it.

Is it possible to contact you Chris? I'm planning the same kiln and have a few questions

will you please share quantities of materials used in your Olsen kiln?

How many brick?

are you starting with bisqued pieces or greenware/

These are beautiful. Just learning about this technique. My question is will they hold water without being glazed? I think not. Also can you glaze them if barrel firing? I only know about the kiln process unfortunately so lots of questions sorry!

hidden are some important details about the transition between lower part (that we saw clearly), and upper part. You skip to "all bricked up" and now we cannot see how the floor of the pottery chamber was constructed. Disappointed with that. Otherwise, nice kiln.

Great video wish I had seen it before my first barrel fire. The second went far better but still lacking on the colors you are getting. When you are mixing in the chemicals and soaking things, what are you using to soak?

Hello Chris! I am a current college student finishing up my degree and for my final semester I am studying remotely in order to build my own wood firing kiln on my property. After watching your videos on building your modified Olsen wood firing kiln I have a general understand of how I might want to go about constructing my own, but I have so many questions! I was hoping I could get in contact with you over zoom or whatever other video chat platform you'd prefer and possibly get some of your advice for my project. Thanks so much! ~ Beth

I like the celadon and clay. Can you tell me what clay you used? Thank you for mentioning Simon Leach's celadon glaze recipe.Thank you for taking the time to respond and for making the video.

Hi CHris. Did you apply the ITC 100 over the elements, too?????

Good job , best of luck

Great! Thanks for doing what I want to do, and sharing all results. Good info. Yes to quick wood fire, Simon L, and funtional. But i gottta say I like the broking mistake, haha. good for for finding time, to giving shape and design to mud, good work.

I don't think Olson designed these kilns to achieve Woodfired results. They were designed for potters who wanted to fire with alternative methods other than gas or propane. If I had to fire this kiln I would probably use some ash glazes, and orglazes that work well in reduction or oxidation. If I were to build a wood kiln I would build a train kiln.

It has been 9 years. How has the coating aged? Did the coated elements have a reasonable life? Are you still using this kiln?

What do you add to get the blues?? Most saggar firings I have done have just gotten oranges and blacks. Thank you!

I'm curious if you referred to a book or blue print that show how to build you're kiln.looking to build one just like this one.im sure I could figure it out,but if you did refer to a builders guidebook i,d apricate the title.

cool video... ( I admit the name is the reason I initially clicked.. ) Glad I did .. : D

Bummer. Is this the clay that you had reclaimed? Looks like you had great potential here, and we all know how disappointing that can be. Still, great potential. I look forward to seeing the next batch.

Do you spray the material over the coils? Does it burn off or what?

Very nice kiln. Do you have a blueprimts or something like that? Is it possible to share it? Thank you.

Very nice. Is the exit flue just one brick?

Hey, it's a shame you had bad results. Is it the same kiln and clay you used where you glazed everything in Simon leach celadon? What clay is it? Seems like that is most likely problem as you have trouble with multiple glazes. But if I was you I'd fill the kiln with the celadon I knew worked, and only test one pot for each new glaze. Just my 2 cents...

I have all my bricks to build my fastfire. Maybe this year?. Thank you for sharing. I have the book. Still a little weak on location of exit flue and trick brick. It's the only design I have helped fire. Last firing was 6 hours to cone ten with plenty of reduction too. All pine split very small (the key) and we'll dried.

Do you know how many bricks you used? Approximately

Really nice work.

This was a beautiful kiln for me and produced great results but eventually I got relly tired of stoking two fireboxes.

Maybe you know the cause by now but do you think it's possible the kiln shelf was wet? I've heard Advancers that are damp on the inside will explode due to the low porosity as the steam tries to escape.

Well I’m looking forward to more firings. How many hard bricks did you use?? Do you feel that you can get some good ash melt in this kiln?? I’m looking to build a kiln around this size but no building experience. So I’m interested in your project moving forward

I'm glad you're making more videos. I look forward to seeing more of you throwing, more of your kiln and more of your trimming and glazing videos.

i want to build the olsen fast fire kiln so bad. i have the book already. i have one kiln book that recommended an adjustable chimney to adjust airflow throught the kiln but it doesn’t seem to be a problem with this build. wood fired is the best in my opinion and not just because it can do cone 10. i like the little blemishes that wood fired causes and sometimes a little ash run on the pot is nice too.

If you have expansion problems replace the all-thread with longer rods with springs on each end that will allow for expansion and contraction of the brick.

Have you had any code issues with local authorities?

where do you get the blanket?

Looks like a fantastic job! Nice work!

OLA tu podes me informar a lista de material para projeto de forno fusing glass.OK estou gostando de teu Projeto

it's incredible how vibrant your colors are just from wrapping them with the fabric.

Great work! About 5-6 years ago you inspired our 9-12 grade art classrooms to conduct several barrel firings with terra sig and your informative techniques. I never said thank you for it! So THANK YOU! Also thanks for continuing to share your wealth of knowledge. Keep up the great work!