• affordable
• simple to build, use and maintain
• reduced firing losses to less than 10 per cent
• reduced fuel consumption, especially the use of grass which was becoming increasingly difficult to
obtain.
To reduce the firing losses, the new kiln would have to:
• slow the heating stage of the firing
• slow the cooling stage
• make sure that the heat in the fire is distributed evenly.
The idea of the mud dome was borrowed from Asia, where many potters use this simple technique to keep
heat in their kilns.
The result of the research was:
THE 'BETTER BONFIRE' KILN
Better because:
• it holds in the heat - so it requires less fuel.
• it heats up and cools down slowly - so less pots and stoves crack (less than 10 per cent)
• it distributes the heat more evenly - so pots and stoves are more evenly fired
• it is made of local bricks using local skills - so it is cheap to build
• it is easy to build, use and maintain.
Purpose of this manual
The manual explains how to build, use and maintain a Better Bonfire kiln. It is intended for potters, women
groups engaged in pottery activities, and agencies who work with potters. So, if you:
• get too many cracks
• have problems firing in the wet season
• use too much grass or wood for firing;
a Better Bonfire kiln could be the answer.
There are some points in the use and construction of the kiln that are very important.
These have been marked in the text with the symbol:
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