Can You Fire Pottery In a Barbecue? Let's Find Out!

In which I attempt to fire pottery in a barbecue grill and learn a few lessons along the way.
"Outdoor Pottery Firing 101" Masterclass - ancientpottery.how/fire
🏺 Wednesday Zoom pottery class - ancientpottery.how/ancient-po...
❤️ Channel membership - / ancientpottery
OR Patreon - / ancientpottery
🛍 Shop my website: ancientpottery.how/shop/
📚 Workshops and masterclasses - ancientpottery.how/classes/
⭐️ Social media
Facebook - / andywardpottery
Instagram - / ancientpottery
📬 Send me mail
Andy Ward PO Box 43601 Tucson, AZ 85733
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@AncientPottery]

More alternative pottery firing fun here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKWvn2Z4qL6ogJo

[@caseyclark5392]

Did you think about using a hair dryer to add oxygen to the coals? I can get steel to forging temperature doing that. You should get to 700° or higher.

[@awaitingthetrumpetcall4529]

Andy Ward spent money to answer a question. No matter the result you have to say 'Thank you!"

[@AncientPottery]

You have to spend money to make money. You are welcome.

[@deanframe9095]

Thank you

[@clintonwalsh4913]

I fire all my pottery in my old charcoal grill. There is a trick to do it, though. I bought a charcoal starter chimney, I get the coals red and hot in that before putting them in the grill. As long as the coals are hot when you put it in, it will work fine.

[@AncientPottery]

Good tip, thanks

[@scaledsilver]

Possible in an apartment? I just got a 60 day notice so they can renovate, I need to make money quick with firing clay

[@capuchinosofia4771]

@@scaledsilver at least in my country, it is forbidden to make a barbacue both inside and on the balcony of appartments/flats (firehazard)

[@scaledsilver]

@@capuchinosofia4771 same.. I decided to go with resin creations for now.. this situation im in is so scuffed lol

[@princess_styles]

Andy, your channel gave me the inspiration to make my own clay. As a 17 yr old who doesn’t have the money to buy clay or a way to fire in my neighborhood, I’ve developed my own process of “curing” the clay. I’ve been sculpting for almost 2 years now and it feels so much more authentic to make the clay then to buy it. Just thought I’d let you know 😊

[@AncientPottery]

That is awesome!

[@boscorner]

How do you cure it?

[@princess_styles]

@@boscorner i don’t know if it is necessarily considered curing it, but i let it dry completely out, like good luck breaking it apart and then put a layer of sealant. I use glue as i don’t have money for major brands, but it works really well. I made a medical sculpture (I’m a CNA rn) and made a pregnant woman that’s in half vertically and you can see all the organs and baby! It’s still together ands even with dropping it. Just know that once you seal it, you can still break it apart with pliers and rework the clay into usable clay. It’s just a pain in the ass.

[@roboticarm3692]

Same, im a 15 year old and also interested in clay. Try to see if you have a fireplace or something like that, those are pretty good for firing as well.

[@CitizenAyellowblue]

Fantastic! Keep going and best of luck.

[@kevingalarza760]

I've fired in a BBQ before and that was way over packed with charcoal. You can always add more mid firing but if you over pack it you wont get enough air. Also something as small as a hair blow dryer with some dryer vent duct pointed at the bottom air vents can work wonders at getting up to temp. I was able to get 1k c by pumping air in with a hair dryer and vent. It got so hot the BBQ grill body was glowing red

[@BRANANDOOOM]

On the 3 grill firings I've done, I never put the lid on until everything was cooling down, and I just put the lid on because it was very cold outside and I didn't want thermal shock to occur. I think the lid is completely unnecessary during the firing. I also use a charcoal starter chimney to get the coals I use on the bottom burning before I add my pottery. Start the coals in the chimney then add them to the grill, then the pottery, then more unlit coals to surround and cover the pottery. I also then used a few sticks on top to ensure the coals burn all the way through from the top to the bottom. I have also been using a 22" kettle grill instead of that small one you used. But I am going to try the small one next time I fire something smaller. I think the grill is ideal for when the ground is too wet, otherwise I do prefer either open fire on the ground or using the ring of stacked bricks with charcoal. Only because those two methods use less fuel than the grill. And also my grill firings typically only last about 3 to 4 hours, I think you using the lid really dampered the process. I hope you try it again with a few more firings because I think you'll find it's almost identical to using the ring of bricks if you don't use the lid of the grill. Thanks for the video!

[@AncientPottery]

I tried lidless and had trouble keeping the pot bottom from becoming exposed as the coals would burn and slide down. I think keeping the pot covered, with coals, or with sherds or with the BBQ lid will keep your pot from possible cracking and will encourage a better, fuller firing. The ring of bricks allows good oxygen flow between the bricks, the difference with the BBQ grill, as I mentioned in the video is that it restricts air flow, so if you want to do something similar you will need to drill some holes.

[@IceLynne]

Interesting!

[@inthefade]

A "starter chimney" is the word I was looking for in my comment, thanks!

[@Dulanec]

You could model yourself some cute little legs to hold the lid up, with steps for different heights.

[@BRANANDOOOM]

@Dulanec you know... that's not a half bad idea! But I'm actually currently firing on the ground at this very moment. That's my preferred method, but it had been so wet lately I didn't want to have to spend time prepping the ground. This is currently shaping up to be my fastest firing. I'm using pine pallet wood.

[@YudronWangmo]

Andy, I've been watching your videos for a couple of years. My yard is rocky clay soil. Since the rains have started in California, the runoff has deposited clay at the bottom of a steep hill. No rocks! I'm gathering it up in a bucket because of you. Soon I will decide on my method of cleaning it, making the pottery, and firing it.

[@AncientPottery]

Sounds like fun.

[@1grubenlampe]

A couple months ago I've found another way to fire pottery without a traditional kiln. At our house we have a central heating installation which works on wood gas. I don't really know if wood gas carburetor is the right word for it in English, but it's called a Holzvergaser in German. Now it basically is an oven with two chambers, one for the fuel and one for the gas combustion. The latter reaches temperatures at which clay becomes ceramic. I've now fired like 5 smaller pots in it with almost no cracks. Though bigger ones definitely need some cover sherds. There is also a need for a similar amount of temper to outdoor firing. I mean that thing basically is like a modern version of a late medieval pottery kiln. Another plus is that all the heat produced and used for firing the pot, also goes into heating the water for the house. So, pretty energy efficient. And I know, not everyone has something like that, but I just wanted to put it out there.😄

[@AncientPottery]

Wow, that's pretty cool. It would make a great video too

[@hiwakoo]

Hammer, das würde mich auch interessieren!

[@1grubenlampe]

@@AncientPottery I've thought about making one myself, but that be the first actual video for me, so the quality might lack a bit. But If you have the possibility to make one about it, I'll gladly watch it!

[@1grubenlampe]

@@hiwakoo Naja letztlich würde ich einfach mal ein kleines Gefäß mit in die Brennkammer stellen und schauen, ob der Ton die Temperatur aushält oder überhaupt gebrannt wird. Und bei größeren Stücken habe ich diese vorher im Küchenherd vorgetrocknet.

[@1grubenlampe]

@@hiwakoo Naja letztlich würde ich einfach mal ein kleines Gefäß mit in die Brennkammer stellen und schauen, ob der Ton die Temperatur aushält oder überhaupt gebrannt wird. Und bei größeren Stücken habe ich diese vorher im Küchenherd vorgetrocknet.

[@chiaraconsoli3567]

I really admire your determination and the way you try and experiment many different things. It's really inspiring and amazing ❤

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you so much!

[@RomanovDA]

Would be very interesting to see how it works with the modifications.

[@kaesees]

Andy, I will note my kids have had three firings in our (cast aluminum) chiminea, two of them successful. I used stainless steel mesh bent into shape with pliers in lieu of cover shards to mitigate the effects of the relative lack of space inside the chiminea. The micaceous clay from NM Clay works at the temperatures we can hit in there; we've messed around a little with local wild clay from Connecticut but not enough to comment on the stuff.

[@AncientPottery]

Interesting, thanks

[@user-yy3lu7gv9k]

Did it melt the Aluminum any ?

[@kaesees]

@@user-yy3lu7gv9k Not that I could detect. It's not really a hotter wood fire than what I normally build in the thing. I think the large-ish thermal mass is was keeps the aluminum chiminea body out of trouble - the metal never gets anywhere near the firebox temp. Nb. the grates on the bottom are cast iron.

[@markgibsons_SWpottery]

Practical, Safe, and effective! If it makes pottery, I am all for it!

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks Mark

[@onironius8008]

As someone who knows nothing about pottery or charcoal grills, I think making sure all of the fuel is burning from the start would work better. More oxygen would probably be more good too. But for science, I would use the same grill, but make sure everything (or at least most of the fuel) was ignited before covering.

[@mihailvormittag6211]

👍 Happy New Year!

[@jillatherton4660]

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

[@HaifaShawwa_EtiquetteProtocol]

You have such an open mind. Thank you for your generosity

[@khedgepeth14]

I genuinely love these videos! thank you.

[@Pacha-lives]

Another great one brother!!!

[@klee88029]

Your holiday haircut is very flattering Andy, looking good 👍😁🧓

[@marleneruddell9395]

Great video Andy, thank you for this experiment, much appreciated

[@AncientPottery]

My pleasure

[@seanthomas4625]

Thank You very much for your presrntation . It took a day and night but it did it

[@wiliame]

thank you so much!! this was really fun to watch and im pretty sure ill try this sometimes

[@AncientPottery]

Great, thanks

[@coopart1]

Very cool ! Bringing pottery making to the masses!

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks

[@whoisdis8201]

My new favorite channel 💜

[@joshuawarner1437]

I use a small $15 tin bucket from Home Depot with holes punched into the bottom and that exact same bag of charcoal. I routinely get to around 1400F and use less charcoal.

[@AncientPottery]

It's all about the holes, thanks

[@emilealessiodiaz1181]

Thank you so much! This video was something i didn’t know i was looking for, but it definitely was needed. Your videos are amazing ✨✨🌿

[@AncientPottery]

You are welcome.

[@CeeJayKay]

Great video Andy!!👍🏻

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks

[@RookAdmirer]

Great video!

[@gigis.garden]

thankyou for such an inspiring video. definitely going to give this a go

[@AncientPottery]

Have fun!

[@siriussimmer6306]

Crazy! I was just looking for a video like this today. 😅

[@AncientPottery]

Great timing

[@michaelmcgourty9535]

Another fascinating video.

[@robertswain4829]

Great video uncle andy...I always wondered about this.

[@AncientPottery]

And now you know, thanks Robert

[@AlanChunkyMunky]

Looking forward to seeing the modified bbq grill! Would love to see more options for firing but with low bar of entry. Love your videos!

[@mohamedadel9562]

Good video as always ❤

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks 😋

[@elfappo9330]

Thank you so much for all your videos. I've been looking for a new bonsai pot lately, but everything I like the look of ends up being too small for my tree. Your videos have made me realize I should just make one myself. My ancestors made pottery ten thousand years ago, no reason I can't do it now!

[@sheilam4964]

New possibilities. Very interesting. Looking forward to new discoveries with the BBQ method. Thx for doing this, filming it and sharing it with us. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@AncientPottery]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@1a1u0g9t4s2u]

What a wonderful way to fire pottery. While waiting for the charcoal to get up to temp one could either roast marshmallows or kabobs. I have had that model of grill since the mid 80's (for kabobs, grilled chicken and steaks) and it is still going strong. Now I can add firing small pottery. Thanks for sharing.

[@Old52Guy]

I have always wondered is this would work. Thanks for doing this!

[@AncientPottery]

You're welcome!

[@riceflo7172]

I Love the video keep it up

[@Thirtyfivepercentferal]

I just stumbled on your KZbin one day, and I think you're my hero. ❤

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks

[@emmahardesty4330]

Great. exciting, and absolutely helpful. Now I can fire my hand-dug, coiled pieces of AZ pottery I made 25 yrs ago. This video, along with other comments below, will do the trick. Thank you

[@andrewsackville-west1609]

Hey, that's fun! Great idea.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks

[@ronniekeates3349]

Good choice with the Weber Smokey Joe. I have the same one and it cooks the best burgers!

[@nightcrows787]

Good temp readings.. nice job. Keep going

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, will do!

[@nicsxnin6786]

I hope you do more videos like this. Many live in fire prone areas and this seems safer. Thanks. I was really hoping you would put some chunks of metal or rock to keep lid propped open for oxygen. You mentioned at the end but I’d like to see. Interesting for those who might have difficulty modifying grills! 😊( whether lack of access to tools or disabilities) it’s nice to share more ways accessible to more people ❤

[@smilebro3344]

Thank you for the entertaining and informative content, we are very lucky you take time and effort to help us hone our own skills, I hope you have a blessed new year 🎉

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you, I really enjoy making these videos.

[@coopart1]

Well said ! I agree totally

[@stephaniedent7070]

Thank you

[@user-pu5vd1hw4v]

Thank you.

[@IceLynne]

I love this demonstration! Now you have a link to share with all those who ask this age old question! lol

[@AncientPottery]

Exactly! Thanks

[@gordybishop2375]

Well done

[@mraschmidt8065]

4:20 🔥🔥🔥. Yep had one of these melt. Legs buckled

[@JH-qi9pz]

You put out very interesting content I've never attempted anything other than clay hunting. However I do quite a bit of grilling the royal oak I've had issues with it being high moisture. Thank you appreciate your time and effort

[@AncientPottery]

Oh, interesting point that I hadn't considered. Thanks

[@GreenDayFanMT]

Really cool. Maybe I should try it

[@AncientPottery]

You should

[@adrianaantunes8977]

It's been a dream of mine to do pottery, and with your videos I finally think that I actually CAN!!! I'll get the materials ASAP and try your no-kiln methods, I have a yard... I have charcoal... I have wood... Let's do this! And if it doesn't work, i'll try again, I feel like a kid again everytime I play with clay 🧡

[@mbterabytesjc2036]

Great video. I would consider creating a way to introduce more air at the bottom, such as a dome made out of an old tuna can with a lot of holes punched into the can. This would allow better air flow from the bottom which could be restricted by both small pieces of charcoal and ash. A way to remove ash during the firing could also be considered. 😊

[@pauljs75]

It may not even need extra drilling, but not filling out the bottom where coals would cover the air holes. Keeping the very bottom clear should allow more surface area to let air in. (Which seems to be the point of the lower grid in regards to the intended use.) However that limits to smaller pieces than the one that was fired here. Might even be as simple as putting some more loose shards over the bottom to diffuse the air coming in and preventing too much ash from spent coals from blocking the bottom air inlet. Also I find that coals can have two stages of lighting off (the second stage seems to burn out-gassing vs. the initial stage that only burns the solid part), start with lid off until a portion turn white and then add more with the lid on. Something acting as a spacer to keep the lid up by about an inch may be all that is needed.

[@worm628]

You could also add some kaowool to the outside of the grill and make the firings more fuel efficient. Another idea is to use the grill as a firing chamber and cover the outside with mud as insulation. Love the videos, keep up the awesome work!

[@clerydesigns729]

Brilliant🎉. Also the tension waiting to see the result! Thank you so much for showing this because I’ve been flummoxed as we can only light bonfires in (very wet) winters so it’ll be fine in summer with a charcoal “barbecue” 😉

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, imagine the anticipation I experienced waiting overnight to see how the pot came out. I really didn't peak before I showed you.

[@clerydesigns729]

😂

[@willorocks]

Interesting video Andy! Shopping in the department I work, at a competitor store though!! Haha! Now I won't be able to look at that small weber kettle grill again the same, haha! Those little ones use such thin and cheap metal now, I imagine that was a possible factor in the temps from you achieved? Real cool video!!! Really enjoyed watching this one.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks Will. The Lowes was right across the street from the Walmart I started at but in order to get there I would have to make a U turn so it was easier to go to the home depot around the corner.

[@notmefrfr]

The first pot i got to work out i fired in a small charcoal grill with a half charcoal half wood fire and pre heated in my oven. Got another one to work well in a wood burning stove. Getting better at open fireing though. Thabks fkr all the videos! ❤

[@airstreamwanderings3683]

Good video, thanks. Definitely more ventilation is needed especially in the bottom to get a strong air flow and the top only restricts ventilation. A big hole in the top might create a nice draft. You should be able to compete a small firing like this in 4-6 hours total. The problem with Weber grills is that they are too wide for a small pot and waste charcoal. A cylinder shape tends to work better. I have a smoker that I am anxious to try. Another interesting experiment is if a wood firing would work in one of the larger Webers.

[@AncientPottery]

Yes, thanks Wes. You and I know what a firing like this should take from firing with charcoal in a brick enclose a-la-Tony Soares. Agreed that the size is very restrictive, I don't make too many pots that could be fired in a BBQ this size. I think the real advantage is that grills like this can be commonly acquired all over in second hand stores and yard sales.

[@Clearshot128]

Tried similar last summer, used the BBQ chimney starter and the leftover charcoal after I had used the BBQ for cooking. Sticking the coals in the chimney starter and the chimney creates an updraft which brings it up to heat rather quickly. I don't know the actual temperature but based on the glow it does seem to be a bit hotter than a BBQ alone. The clay came from the garden and I separated it from the grit with water in a pit, could do with getting a mesh to remove the fine bits of plant material next time. Pot was a small pinch pot, wouldn't be able to fit much larger. Pretty much my first time ever trying any kind of pottery, would like to do some more this year as we now have our own house and garden so I can scale it up a bit more to get some more clay and will likely make a firepit in the garden and it can double up as a pit kiln.

[@Finding_Arcadia]

Since i live in an apartment Ive been playing with the idea if essentially this same thing but doing what people will do to make backyard forges, with a hair dryer blowing in air from the bottom and modding the lid and container with refractory cement/ceramic insulation and air holes. Haven't gotten around to it yet due to moving, but i always expected that it might get really hot just not sure how I'd manage to keep it at temp. Excited to see your next attempt after modding, will be interesting!

[@Betaverso]

Real nice video! Thanks Andy! Sometimes watching someone experimenting, opens mind..and sometimes prevent you from failures! Anyway I'm not sure that you would recommend this way to fire.. looking forward to see all masters potters works in ancient pottery challenge! I have Two pieces already done! Keep on coiling 😂😂😂😂 greetings from Italy

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, you are ahead of me, I am almost done with the first one but waiting for some dry weather to fire it.

[@karenrennie1196]

I fired a little pot in a bisque saggar in my Kent fireplace. It worked. Went black as not well enough ventilated but I was happy.

[@gordonspond8223]

Soo timely. I just started collecting wild clay to make bonsai pots and it just occurred to me the other day to try to fire a very small pot in my charcoal grill.

[@AncientPottery]

Glad I could help.

[@angeladazlich7145]

I had roughly the same results firing in a larger barbecue grill a couple of years ago. I started out with already hot white coals and warmed pottery however, and the first hour was a closed lid with the vent open. I used a mix of fuels, charcoal for a slow burn and thin sappy wood for a quick hot burn at the top. After a bit I put the lid up and on one firing I used a box fan to really get a burn. I got my pots turned to ceramic with a ring but not the resonant ring you got. I measured max temp at 850 F but I think it got hotter when I was inside. I don't use this method anymore though. Also, no cover sherds.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@CassandraJSantori]

I have fired several times in a small Webber Smokey Joe grill with success. I place the items on the lower grill and cover with mesquite lump charcoal. I don’t cover the fire. I guess I could if I wanted a reduction fire.

[@CassandraJSantori]

PS I’ve reached 1500 F easily and sometimes even 1600 F

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, a lot depends on the size and shape of the pot being fired. I had trouble keeping the coals over the bottom of my pot so the cover was to keep it from becoming exposed, under-fired or cracked from a cool breeze. I suppose if my pot was a little shorter I could easily cover it with the coals and have no problems there. Still though I think some holes in the bottom will encourage a more robust fire.

[@CassandraJSantori]

@@AncientPottery Yes, I think in the Smokey Joe, it's necessary to keep all the items quite small. With larger items I really mound the charcoal and add more for a couple of rounds. It gets super hot as you noted, hard to be near the fire. I think it would be easier in the "standard sized" bbq because more fuel could be used. Thanks so much for all your videos! You inspired me to return to pottery after about a 10 year break. I kept trying to build a kiln out of bricks in the back yard but had trouble finding grates. Just one of those silly problems. But then it hit me one day, what if I did it in the bbq? It actually worked!😀Keep doing what you're doing!

[@birder4life999]

Ihave run into similar issues,.ans so as nor todestroy a barbecue that I actually cook with, i have taken a galvanized bucked and punched a load of holes in the sides and use that set on a couple of bricks instead (also cheaper than a Barbecue so that is a bonus).

[@AncientPottery]

Good idea

[@toddstropicals]

I tried it years ago before the Internet, the high temps destroyed my cheap offset smoker. But it did work for a few small projects.

[@AncientPottery]

I thought that might happen thanks

[@Candidpiet]

This is such great information 😊 how would more sculptural forms go do you think?

[@AncientPottery]

Probably would work but I have no experience with that so give it a try

[@Candidpiet]

@AncientPottery I will, I've been working with clay on and off for about 30yrs, I think this is the new adventure 😊

[@MrErViLi]

I use a boiler from an old water heater. I turned it upside down with all the holes on the bottom. I filled the bottom with lava rocks. I attached a metal pipe to the bottom on the side to use a cheap leaf blower as a bellows. I dug out a hole in the ground to set the boiler in and tamped the dirt back in to steady it, I left a channel for where the bellows pipe runs. I cut the top off and used pipes to reattach it as a vented roof. I cut a door in the side and reattached it with heavy duty hinges. I then drilled 4 holes in the sides to run a thick bolt through so I could place a beefy grate on it above the lava rocks with room to put in wood or coals. It gets very very hot with the leaf blower blowing forced air up through the lava rocks and it keeps it from being so forceful as to blow the wood and ash everywhere. I've got less than $50 in it.

[@Aspen7780]

I do it regularly with mica pottery. It fires to a perfect ring sound in a Webber. Most other clays won’t fire hot enough but the mica clay is low fired. I use a mix of lump coal (just like I use for cooking) and thin wood to build a small bed of coals. I add a few small flat pieces of flag stone on top of the hot coal bed, put a wire rack on top of that, and put pots upside down on that. Has to be smaller pottery like individual eating bowls. Stack thin wood tipi style around pots and let it go from there. Later I can put the lid on with the vents open to let it cool more slowly during cold weather. Yes it’s a bon fire in the Webber and maybe I’m shortening its life expectancy but that Webber is still working for food cooking. Oh, and I dry out my pots in my home oven and pre heat them up there before taking them outside and putting them on the grill. It’s essentially a smaller/elevated version of how I fire mica pots on the ground.

[@JH-qi9pz]

Andy saw your video on oyas for cooling im interested (and why i originaly got hooked on your video's) about using oyas in the garden have you ever? Are there considerations to be made on freezing( im in the Az white mountain s)? Any inputs from any one appreciated thank you. Oh can i fire in my kitchen oven? (JUST KIDDING)

[@AncientPottery]

I have never used ollas for watering but I am familiar with that use for them. I don 't think they are likely to freeze underground, but if a wet pot freezes it will cause it to break apart.

[@CircleCRStudio]

Andy, I grew up throwing pottery and bisque firing. Will you please direct me to the video that explains your painting/firing technique (in general) and the science behind it. Thank you!

[@Mike-zh1xq]

Just want to say that I loved owning the hoodie you've been wearing lately. It's long gone .. damn fire!

[@AncientPottery]

I found it at the Sportsman's Warehouse, they didn't have my size so I bought the XL and I am so glad I did. This is my third winter in it and I suppose I better start looking for a new one or I might regret it.

[@Mike-zh1xq]

@@AncientPottery I haven't found one since.. good luck!

[@Anywhere72]

You might use a shop vac with reverse or a leaf blower might help.

[@jafinch78]

Have you tried a rocket stove kiln by chance? Might be able to get better control and possibly glazing temps? Thanks for sharing.

[@mlongval]

I’ve successfully done firings in a BBQ called BroilKing Keg (also known as a Bubba Keg). It has good air circulation (big vent on the bottom and very top) triple wall (I think) steel. Yes it’s a big pricey but you can also crank it up to make a fantastic steak or slow cook some ribs in it.

[@payalkohli6467]

Hey I tried to fire my pieces in my barbeque and it recently worked 😁😁😁 I guess I needed to keep it for longer to get better results. But it did works 😁😁

[@petrapetrakoliou8979]

The pot looks like a beaker from the late Neolithic Beaker Culture in Western Europe that I replicated myself several times. They had a standardised way of putting such a beaker in every grave. Perhaps they were also produced with a puki judging by the small round bottom.

[@sadibal]

Inspired in your videos about firing clay the primitive way, I used an oil barrel and opened vents in the shape of a door at the walls lower middle and upper side in order to feed with air from start to end so you control airflow by opening them. As fuel I made pellets using wet recycled paper combined with sawdust compresed using a caulk gun, So I combine chunks of wood, pellets to fill the barrel and the clay I want to fire. Next I fill the top with paper and wood shavings to start the fire, If fire gets shy I use a hair dryer to feed the flames and raise temp, at this point I've made pots and vessels to fill with water and keep plants hydrated, I works me well so thank you Andy. Oh and 70 -30 temper clay was the only way to success with thermal shock and cracks.

[@sadibal]

Additionally I surround clay and pellets with raw shards as you suggest, great choice to keep those firing pieces of clay glowing inside the coals.

[@deanframe9095]

Your so great

[@livinginthenow]

Awesome idea! Instead of shards, could you possibly put a sizeable terracotta planter over the pot you're firing? I'm thinking that drilling more holes in the bottom of the barbecue and just using the terracotta planter instead of the metal lid would provide both extra oxygen and a thermal envelope around your pot. I could be horribly wrong, but that's what I'd try next.

[@AncientPottery]

I think you are on the right track. I have used flowerpots as cover sherds in the past and found that because they lack temper they don't handle thermal shock well. So they are mostly only good for one firing unless you can find one that is made from gritty clay.

[@Betaverso]

Hi! I tried firing that way, with a thick terracotta vase made with high percentage of grog and what i noticed is that you need extra fuel to reach a reasonable temperature (almost double amount)and in that case i used charcoal.. I did not have any breakage of the vase. I like to call this firing "bell firing" because the shape of it😂😂😂

[@GaryThomson29355]

Hi from Spain.... One quick question....how long does a pot need to be at the 700c temperature? Does it just need to get there then slowly cool? I wish to adjust one of my rocket stoves to experiment. Enjoying your channel thanks.

[@wizziewiz1]

I have fired in the barbeque when I started making pots because we had a fire ban from early May to October, and the rest of the year it is winter here in Canada. Now I just fire in an open fire in the snow, with the pots pre heated in my kitchen oven, but in the beginning I didn't dare. Out of the bbq ( a round weber made of sheet metal, with charcoal) I got small ceramic pots with a decent ring to them. To start it up I did use some small twigs on top, the coals underneath I got going with some fire starter cubes. I kept adding charcoal when the top layer threatened to burn out. Charcoal burns hotter than briquettes btw. When the coals were red hot I put the lid on , but only over half the surface. I tilted the lid in a rotation every 10 minutes so every part got some oxygen. I covered the pots with a few metal bowls because I did not have shards. For rural area's or when there is a fire ban, a bbq is an alternative. A bit expensive, because of the coals and the small amount that you can fire. If the alternative is that you cannot fire at all and you hobby dies because of this, anything is worth it. I don't think your bbq will last long because of the overheating, but I see them for a few bucks at the second hand stores everywhere. Here you can see me firing in the bbq, in the photo album: How it's made, firing ceramics facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.116388018139595&type=3

[@TheMichaellathrop]

As far as potential modifications go I've seen a lot of making a forge out of a barbecue videos most of them suggest lining the steel with some kind of insulator, and then doing some kind of forced air setup, old hair dryers being a common one.

[@jamescrowley2733]

Ceramic cooker like the Big Green Egg can achieve temps north of a 1000 F. Without adding a powered air source! Positive it can be used for small firings.

[@newnewmee44]

personally i would try adding a small fan beneath the barbecue grill instead of drilling more holes. Isn't it the way they used to do it but instead of fans they used bellows.

[@AncientPottery]

I have never heard of bellows being used on a kiln, I think you are thinking of a forge which gets much hotter. I thin k we can reach the desired temperature with just holes, adding a fan could easily get too hot and melt the pottery.

[@newnewmee44]

@@AncientPottery true. but it could be tried.

[@chrisinkansas8507]

I used a Weber, once, to attempt to add fire clouds to an already fired small pot. Worked well enough, but the outcome is predictably unpredictable.

[@AncientPottery]

Adding fire clouds is something that always baffles me because I have spent years trying to avoid them. I had some ladies at my SW Potters Gathering last spring who wanted fire clouds and piled cow pies all over the pots to good effect.

[@TheNewMediaoftheDawn]

I was fortunately successfully my first time pit firing with wood, broke a couple pieces that were too wet, rookie mistake, but I still have the clay pipes from 2017. I wouldn’t use a bbq, but good to know you can, cheers.

[@AncientPottery]

It is much easier to just fire on the ground but not everyone has that luxury.

[@raisingarizona2008]

This was how I fired my first pot.I had the lid off at first and once it burned down I put the lid on so it would slowly cool.

[@AncientPottery]

Awesome

[@MissMeganBeckett]

Whenever I close my little barbecue lid it smothers the fire in the coals, which is sometimes helpful if I finish cooking before my coals go out and I can reuse them next time, but isn’t very good for actually barbecuing if I needed to use the lid for that. My barbecue is about the same size as that one, hopefully Weber has better airflow than my bodum brand grill.

[@flyingmonkeydeathsquadronc968]

Would a chimney help with air induction something like tin cans attached to the top vent

[@MichaelOffandgonestrong]

I want to see a miniature leaf blower or vacuum on this thing!

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

I'm here to support *clay rights!* I just discovered your videos. Subscribed.

[@AncientPottery]

Welcome aboard!

[@jeremiahkindel9301]

Have you thought about adding a small hair blow dryer through a hole in the bottom. It would drive the temp up dramatically

[@TheSpanishInquisition87]

Thanks for making this video. I can't help but wonder if it would work better using wood instead of charcoal? I think wood burns at a higher temperature. You'd have to stand next to it and feed it, probably, but the higher temperature might do the trick.

[@virgiljohnson668]

Could a cast iron dutch oven be used to distribute heat more evenly and slow the cooling rate when doing pit firing?

[@samanthanicholson9015]

Have you used a Dutch oven pot, like a iron skillet for camping? I make a lot of jewelry pieces I seen someone using a small fireplace or a charcoal inside a pottery pot. It looked ok but I can't have open fire in my area.