DIY how to build a Wood fired Kiln and mine Clay, Greek pottery Project part 2 - three phase firing

[@overthetopblues]

I just stumbled upon your video and enjoyed it very much. I even got my wife to watch it with me, all fifty minutes! I’ve been a potter since 1988 and have made many kilns over the years, including a wood fired kiln. So I know just how hard you and your parents worked on this project. Incredibly lucky to have that clay deposit right on hand, you know that’s every potters dream! A job well done Anton and family! :))

[@antonschembri8080]

It means so much to me to see such supportive admiration from real professional potters! All I can say is I hope your poor wife wasnt forced to watch ALL 50 minutes of it! Lol looking back i wish I'd made the video shorter but felt it didnt give justice to the sheer magnitude of work, as you well appreciate. I'm still amazed that anyone has enjoyed my humble project that much. Thank you!

[@H8ALLwokes]

MY favorite part was when your mom HAD to point out that is HER hammock lol She deserved credit for a portion of this project FOSHO!!! Sweet, supportive & encouraging mommy!!! I love to see this kind of cooperation between mother & son! My mom would have told me NO WAY if I asked her to use hers lmao!!!

[@H8ALLwokes]

Your display & video making skillz are superb & entertaining!!!

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you so much! Certainly couldn't have done any of it with my mum (or her hammock) I'm very fortunate in how supportive my parents are not matter how bizarre my endeavours. Although they did question how Pottery related to my history degree😂 Dad was less enthusiastic when he saw the state of the lawn.

[@H8ALLwokes]

@@antonschembri8080 lol or the state of the KILN before the rainstorm lol Loved it!!!

[@antonschembri8080]

@@H8ALLwokes that rainstorm was heartbreaking to watch wash all my work away😂😭

[@antonschembri8080]

@@H8ALLwokes thank you, that was certainly another skill I learnt during the process! I'm not the most tech savvy person in the world. But i was trying my best to make it a little more engaging. Thank you! It means alot to note that its appreciated by others!

[@karolineolesen774]

Woah! This was so cool and extremely inspiring. Time to convince my parents to let me build a kiln in the backyard´:DD

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you! And good luck, I just didn't consult mine first and it worked a treat!

[@heidiknighttomsett1490]

Brilliant and honest video Anton. I admire the fact that you are doing something and experimenting. Keep going!

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you Heidi! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment! Every comment is so motivational

[@madcatandfriends]

Would love to see a part three! Incredible stuff you're doing, recreating an ancient art!

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you very much for watching! I'm hoping to release a third part later this year

[@tomdem2]

Inspirational mate. Nice one.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thanks man!! Really pleased you enjoyed watching

[@patrickquin8674]

Absolutely love your vid. Me and my family (they do pottery) have been watching your vid this morning and we thought it was awesome. We’re going to build a wood fire kiln now.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you so much! If you need any help with the process let me know!

[@russel-nb2fp]

I love your kiln well done its one of my dreams to build a kiln like that

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you, Please let me know if you ever get round to it, it's so rewarding!

[@skulptor]

Great project and nice film. Keep working with clay..you will be good with practice.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you for the encouragement! Finding the time unfortunately is challenging

[@theindigenouspothead4542]

I wish I had a yard or property that big to build a kiln, however im lucky enough to live in Michigan where clay is abundant, especially huge chunks of blue clay that you were looking for, guess we cant have everything perfect fo conditions, then it wouldn't be fun. Awesome video, I lov the longet videos like this ...absolutely perfect!! CHEERS!!

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you so much for watching! I was worried the video was way too long, never expected it to gain as much traction as it has. It was fun to both build and document. Though it was certainly challenging at times. A few months later I ironically found a large deposit of blue clay when digging for a fence post, so I may have to give slip making another try and see the results. If not, I guess I'll be coming to Michigan lol. I have seen smaller renditions of wood fired kilns in urban environments built with stacked bricks and metal. So i wouldn't be too discouraged about giving it a go! Thanks for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it

[@kariannecrysler640]

Laughed so hard at Mollys contribution to the project. Thought of time team getting Roman roofing tiles with paw 🐾 prints!❤

[@antonschembri8080]

Ahaha all the dogs certainly involved themselves in the process. Often to my detriment... but I enjoyed the company! Wow thats so true! Now I wish I had left some paw print slabs, it would've been extra authentic. Plus such a compliment to be compared in any way to Time Team, thank you for your comment

[@Khum-Nara]

Beautiful video :) thank you

[@antonschembri8080]

Thanks for watching!

[@Chartreuse_Moose]

Holy guacamole! This was your first time? So cool. You did an amazing job throughout. Especially the perseverance, which is a core skill of ceramics. 3 stage firing sounds really cool and I think this is a wonderful proof of concept in the modern era. The inverted colors afterwards was fun too. You built a dang good kiln, dude. Your work is inspiring my future project. Had to chime in with some feedback too. I think you did everything you could to prevent cracking with what the clay consists of. Along with grog, you may want to look into "refractory" (prevents shrinkage) and "flux" (improves melding of particles in firing) materials for your clay, that silica sand for example is a good refractory component to add in (if memory serves :D) You can also add bone ash for clay to fire at higher temperatures, increasing odds of vitrification, it is a replacement for kaolin when not available (refractory? been a while since Uni). OH OH! And, when making handles or anything relatively thin compared to other parts of the clay body, it is a great idea to wrap that part in cellophane or a grocery bag or whatever, so that the body itself dries at an even rate. This is also helped by proofing clay bodies till they are leather hard in a relatively warm and humid environment, which may be similar to the top of the cabinet that you showed in this video. Wow though, you did a great job with research and family fun and even taking some time for stop-motion animation. What a treat to see. Have a great day.

[@antonschembri8080]

This comment is amazing!!! Thank you so so much for the feedback. I'm working on another project at the moment and I will certainly put your tips to use. I can't wait to give them a try. Thank you for taking the time to watch and write to me! I'll keep you updated on putting your tips into practice

[@MsHan71]

Great to see Anton! Just having a go at building a small kiln myself and using local found clay - have been following Andy Ancient Pottery instructions so far, but really good to see the challenges you faced. Your pots came out a treat and no cracks or broken - amazing. Lovely story all round.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you so much for the lovely comment! Please keep me posted on your kiln progress and let me know how it went using your own clay. I found it really challenging, far less malleable and more course. I will have to go and watch Andy's work, thank you for the suggestion. I was pleased with what I accomplished, although I do wish I had the time to return and perfect things a lot more, it's certainly a working progress. Please keep me updated and thank you again!!

[@rosspadden4201]

That clay is a beautiful colour. Nice one, really enjoyed your video.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you! I'm so pleased with my clay deposits, I certainly want to see what other colours and effects i can achieve with it. Somehow the on-site kilns produced red bricks with the same clay, I presume with a more oxygen rich environment. I shall have to experiment and see. Thank you for the encouragement!

[@carmelmdeely9121]

Good on you. Thank you for the vlog

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you for watching!

[@joshsmithward8848]

Really well done. Great job documenting it and thank you for sharing this.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you for watching!

[@user-om4jw4uh3l]

well done, really impressive !!

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you loads!!

[@Divinemessages69]

This was such a joy to watch the sheer dedication and hard work behind this project and having your family joining in the process I thoroughly enjoyed this with the added light heartedness, especially your pink dog lol. I chanced on this video as a suggestion because I am also looking to build a small kiln, nothing on the scale of this one but your research and lessons along the way have helped me in understanding the process of the build more, so thank you for this uplifting video, it made my day :)

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you for such a kind comment! It truly was a lot of work, far more than I had anticipated but it was such a rewarding experience and is made even more so by sharing it with others who seem to appreciate it as much as I did. I'm so glad you enjoyed watching! I did worry about the length of the documentation and tried my best to keep it entertaining whilst also giving the sheer scale of the task justice. My dogs were certainly a highlight throughout lol please keep me updated on your progress with the kiln!! and if I can help in any way please let me know. and again thank you! I'm so warmed by all the support

[@chefboyrdanbh]

You did an Awesome job! You should be proud! I enjoyed this video very much!

[@antonschembri8080]

Thanks Bobby! Glad you enjoyed watching!

[@aex-blacksmithuk2111]

Well done! Respect.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you!!

[@STGshenanigans]

WOW, this was truly incredible, and so entertaining to watch. What a massive feat.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@3ehahn]

Great job! Impressive! Try “ burnishing” your pots by rubbing the surface with the back of a spoon or very smooth round stone. This gives the surface the smooth shiny look of Greek classic pottery. Native American potters like Maria Martinez used this technique to great effect.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you so much! And thank you for for this tip, I must try it soon and shall post the results

[@nikoskaragiannis3314]

Το καλύτερο diy καμίνι που έχω δει, ωραία κεραμικά, και φυσικά ωραίο μπουζούκι ;)

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you! The greek music certainly makes it! 😍

[@itzakpoelzig330]

I loved the octopus inside that one vessel. A very cool look.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you very much, that one in particular was painted by my mum! It was realy effective!

[@itzakpoelzig330]

@@antonschembri8080 Good job, mum!

[@fntkm97]

Great project and lovely family. Thanks for sharing.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you! You're too kind!

[@jsmythib]

When your pottery emits blinding ultraviolet light I thinks thats hot enough :) Great build.

[@antonschembri8080]

I think you might be right!! Thanks for watching!

[@HelenWebb]

So informative and so nicely put together with human interest inserts like the lovely dogs and family life. I've just started to learn how to make clay pots and this has inspired me. Thank you for your great work.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you so much!! Definitely give it a go, and please show me any results! To be considered even remotely inspiring is an elite complement, thank you

[@medhachhetri4573]

Absolutely fascinating video Anton! This video was surprisingly so so interesting! Your dedication is unmatched 🤩 looking forward to seeing some of these artefacts in our kitchen 🤪

[@antonschembri8080]

You're an absolute sweetheart!! I Can't believe you had any doubts that a hour long pottery documentary would be anything but interesting 🤪

[@martingraham7440]

Lovely looking design (for the kiln)

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you very much, It was a very simple but effective bottle neck stepped kiln.

[@Amushik9]

Bro, Your Sweat and Sleepless nights Pot worth a Million dollar.❤

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you, you're so kind. To me it is certainly priceless!

[@Olivetreedisciples3887]

Andy Ward makes pottery from wild clay and makes organic slip to paint his clay vessels. He has a channel on KZbin titled Andy Ward's ancient pottery. He may have some helpful information to make the slip and how to achieve the red colored pottery. I am quite impressed with your results as a 1st timer! Well done.

[@MissGroves]

I agree, I've learned loads from his channel, even if it's not my area of the world, same principles apply

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you for this! I will certainly have to go and give Andy's content a watch and take notes. I really appreciate the support.

[@MichaelMarko]

Spectacular!

[@antonschembri8080]

thanks for watching!

[@djpoolservice]

You did an amazing job!!!

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you so much! I'm very pleased with the results!!

[@terraint3697]

Amazing job!

[@antonschembri8080]

Thanks! I didn't think anyone would really give it a watch as the video is so long! It was a very enjoyable University project for the ancient History department at Cardiff University. Glad you enjoyed it

[@C-M-E]

Great job for a first effort, and at least you have (had?) the gift of youth on your side. Yes, the next one you'll want to start at waist height. 😉 Processing clay is a massive bit of work, though the 'wet' process in my experience is made easier with a clever bit of filtering between containers. Having one with strategic holes that drains into a second, the bulk of the water will filter through itself over time and naturally separate out the different elements. All the detritus of sticks and such will float at the top after a thorough mixing, most of the sediment will settle to the bottom and all the delicious clay in between. The extremely fine clay particles will normally stay in the first container, but left alone over a week or so, you'll find more in the second 'drain off' container. With so much effort put it, you want to maximize recovery, and every spill will feel like a drop of blood in the process. "Minimize the bleeding" as it were.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thanks for watching! and thank you for all the feedback. I can certainly work on my efficiency, the garden became a red quagmire by the end of the process. Mum wasn't best pleased...! I'll try the multiple container method as you suggest. Although I've since found that dry ground clay is far less messy to work with. I now simply using a sieve to remove stones and roots. Thanks again for the advice!

[@ricardodelatorre7926]

Gracias Amigo

[@antonschembri8080]

Gracias por ver!

[@ironmountainceramicspotter8789]

Have you tried drying out clay first in sun . Then put in water and mix . The dry clay breaks up much easier if left in water for a week first ..and mixes to a slip which can dissolve much easier..

[@antonschembri8080]

Thanks for the tip!! I will certainly give it a try as the whole process was certainly painful😂 i think i overcomplicated it!

[@quantumofconscience6538]

Great work, but I'm surprised the terra-cotta pots that you used for the chimney didn't crack. Even clay chimney flu liners will crack if they are directly exposed to fire. People making their own kiln... use metal for your extension chimney, but if it's galvanized metal, let the zinc burn off as the first "firing" is poisonous until it burns off.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you, Yes I agree completely! and thank you for advising others I should have researched more thoroughly regarding their durability. I have since planned to build a brick bottle neck on the kiln once I install a perforated clay floor and then open a loading hatch to the side which I can then brick up during firings. This is a more authentic design as well.

[@coopart1]

I hope you’re still exploring this ! I am as well. Just my thoughts but you did reduce iron paint very well ! But maybe went to hot and there for lost potential for shine.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thanks for the comment! My biggest mistakes were not burnishing the pots and not allowing for my slip to levigate naturally over a couple of weeks to achieve a colloidal suspension rather than using deflocculating additives. Have a read of Aloupi 2015 The story of a soil that became a glaze or watch her videos on youtube by THETIS Authentics Ltd - Truly beautiful!

[@mentalhealthmolly]

Truly well done!

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you so much!!

[@sandgrains3418]

I hope to activate the automatic translation, well done a beautiful work 👍

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you! It was worth all the time it took

[@juanignaciojimenez2393]

Congratulations. I really admire what you have done, your effort, good skill and initiative. We will do a similar experiment within the coming months and will also publish the results on youtube. Please carry on working with the clay!

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you so much! I really want to return to my kiln it has been closed up for over a year now, i just haven't had the time. Please keep me updated on your progress! I wish you luck!

[@juanignaciojimenez2393]

@@antonschembri8080 I'm taking part in a experimental archaeology conference on Thursday the 9th of June at Liverpool University. You can watch the conference for free in the internet. The proper firing with the replica pots will take place some day within the first half of July. All the best!

[@antonschembri8080]

@@juanignaciojimenez2393 thank you! I'll be sure to go and watch

[@AewonWolf]

thank you for the greAt video

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you for watching!

[@Victoria-of1mp]

So cool! Also did anyone notice the spider on his cloth while he was taking the brick out of the kiln?

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you! I didnt even notice the spider!! 😂 I've checked the cut footage and it seems the little fella thankfully survived the ordeal

[@littlewigglemonster7691]

this was fantastic thank you for sharing

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed watching

[@Blxz]

A truly ridiculous amount of effort to get a fruitbowl. Fantastic work and something to be proud of going forward. I'm working on building a kiln for my wife - is there any chance you could put up some plans or sketches that detail how you built that kiln? Would love to draw some inspiration but there were sections of the timelapse that don't quite show all the details of the internals such as how you setup the firing shelf, etc.

[@antonschembri8080]

It is certainly the most expensive fruit bowl I have now! Thanks for watching. Wish you the best of luck with your kiln build! I do keep meaning to find the time to post some more pictures and videos, as others have asked for more instructions aswell, but I just haven't got round to it. I do have a second video on my channel though that explains some of the theory and build design. Hope that might help! Thanks

[@kathrynmcdonnell7880]

Congratulations

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you!😊

[@theresahanson5022]

😮wow you did it❤️

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you! ❤ It was close enough! I think it's certainly given me the confidence to try again and achieve a closer rendition

[@laprincie]

Wow realy impressive

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you! I'm very proud

[@montyferguson4657]

If you do it again, add some starch to your clay and let it sit for a couple of weeks. The mold will help with plasticity, but it will stink. It's said that the grog should be around 20%.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thanks for the tip! I'll shall give it a try

[@Doodlebourne]

When I mine the clay, I just dig a depression, fill it with the clay soil and some water, and tromp around in it. Then I let the water drain down into the ground, leaving a good 2-5 cm layer of clay on the bottom of the pit. That is a lot easier to refine.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you for the tip! I was certainly overzealous with the whole process

[@barrylawton7001]

wonderful

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you! I found the process very enjoyable and rewarding

[@johnwissinger7273]

My wife and I enjoyed your experience at making ancient Greek pottery. I thought you might like to see our publication: "Re-creating and Firing a Greek Kiln", Lisa C. Kahn and John C. Wissinger, in Papers on Special Techniques in Athenian Vases, published by J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles 2006. Thanks so much for sharing you video!

[@antonschembri8080]

This sounds brilliant and invaluable, I shall be sure to give it a read! Thank you

[@passage2enBleu]

Great video. Any recommendations on the best books for this kind of kiln building and firing? Thanks.

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you! Unfortunately, there is a lack of scholarship into the matter. Most books tend to mention the process, some even define it further, but very few give details enough to direct a reenactment. John boardmans works is a good introduction to the topic. Then Joseph Veach Noble delves further into the specific techniques. Surprisingly I found the best resource, wasnt written but was rather online lectures on three fase firing by; the Getty Conservation institute, the Worcester Art Museum GBH network, and then the attic black shop shorts. All are easily found on KZbin. Hope this is of help!

[@passage2enBleu]

@@antonschembri8080 Thanks for the references. The book I can recommend for reduction processes is: Alternative Kilns and Firing Techniques by James Watkins et al. Just the beautiful examples alone of what is possible makes the book worth it. If you're interested in Raku, Saggar, Pit, Barrel. Happy firing.

[@blanebellerud5811]

If you burnished the pots before firing, would they have come out shiny?

[@antonschembri8080]

I theorize and hope that they would do! I want to find the time to give it a go and see but as of yet I haven't had time. Hopefully soon! Thanks for watching

[@fahriddinshukyrov9950]

Super 👍🤝✋🇺🇿

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you!

[@ivanrs125]

Good job. Did you use only ash and rust for the reduction paint?

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you! Ash and rust mixed with the Clay slip was what I used. If you fire some flint before hand you can grind and use that to make white aswell!

[@stickermigtigger]

I've been researching this type of pottery and would like to achieve results similar to the Greek and Roman results. Have you been able to achieve the red clay body after the third phase yet? I haven't found a distinct range for each phase yet nor have I found where others have been able to do so except for a business that makes replicas but their techniques aren't completely defined (probably for business reasons). Search KZbin for Attic Black Vases. If they can do it then we can too. 🙂

[@antonschembri8080]

I actually spoke with Prof Aloupi of the Attic Black Thetis team. She was wonderfully informative, and has done incredible research into the subject. I highly recommend reading "ceramic technology: how to characterize black Fe-based glass-cermic coatings - Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences" and "The story of a soil that became a glaze: chemical and microscopic fingerprints on the attic vases" professor Aloupi has successfully recreated the colloidal suspension needed for the slip. I have since managed to revert some test pieces to a red colour, but only when re-oxidizing at higher temperatures. I wish you luck! And keep me posted on any progress you may make!

[@stickermigtigger]

@@antonschembri8080 Awesome!! Thank you. I'll update you on any progress. Right now I'm scrounging for materials to build a Greek/Roman style kiln. They share some commonality with beehive kilns. I was stumped a bit on the shelf they used but I think I can hand build pie shaped shelves out of fireclay and fire them in an electric kiln; then set them on a pillar in the center and a small ring shelf around the perimeter of the kiln. Also on the hunt for a round, bell shaped chimney flue I can use for the top. Will be heavy but I have a set of forks for the front end of my tractor I should be able to set it and lift it off with that. Fun, fun, fun! 🙂

[@antonschembri8080]

@@stickermigtigger Sounds incredible!! Please do keep me posted. Yes, they're very reminiscent of Beehive kilns! Of course they come in all sorts of shaps and sizes but the principles remain the same. If you'd care to look at some archaeological examples I highly recomend reading any of the work by Professor Hasaki of the Arizona University. She too built a kiln replica and has built a catalogue of every greek kiln excavated to date. For a breakdown of another contemporary greek kiln build process you can search for the John hopkins museum, they have an incredible vlog of the entire build. Search online to find the web page dedicated to the build. Your quite right, I too used a centre column with a few protruding bricks as a plinth to sit a perforated clay plate/pie upon. Make the plate/grill thick though, I found mine has started to warp and melt at higher temperatures. Wishing you success!!

[@stickermigtigger]

@@antonschembri8080 Dude! In two posts you've provided me with months worth of material to work with! I feel like I owe you money. LOL Thank you!

[@antonschembri8080]

@@stickermigtigger My pleasure! Knowledge should always be shared, so I will help in any way I can. I'm sure soon you shall be one of a handful of contemporaries to replicate this ancient art! It really is magical, even if unpredictable!

[@Achbar]

Can you Glaze pots with that Kiln?

[@antonschembri8080]

Almost certainly, I want to give it a try soon!

[@chickenjoymanok1]

why not use a tunnel kiln

[@antonschembri8080]

I was trying to replicate a particular ancient athenian kiln

[@user-bg2oe3em1p]

いいねー

[@antonschembri8080]

Thank you!

[@DylanatorPlayz123]

Anyone else noticed the spider at 45:10?

[@antonschembri8080]

I didnt even notice it at the time!!

[@bigbranch1]

syphone