Chapter Three
KILN CONSTRUCTION
Good quality materials and care in construction will result in a long lasting and effective kiln.
The following is the list of materials that we used in Kenya. These materials were readily available, but if they
are not readily available in your area, you should improvise. For example, if the standard fired clay bricks
available are of a different size, you will need to adjust the numbers required.
The materials required for the big and small kilns and their quantities have been given in the tables below.
The big kiln can accommodate up to 120 stoves. You can load up to 30 Upesi stoves in the small kiln.
Table 3.1 An example of materials required for construction of the big kiln
Material
Fired clay building bricks
Polythene sheet
Stones
Murram (clay gravel/laterite mix)
Sand
Anthill soil (or building earth)
Water
** Reinforced rod
** Tire wire
**/* Binding wire
* Chicken wire
Quantity
400
100
7 metres
10 wheelbarrows
20 wheelbarrows
10 wheelbarrows
10 wheelbarrows
500 litres
12 metres
2 kg
2kg
8 metres
Specification
Large 91/2” x 5” x 41/2
Small 81/2 x 4 x 31/2
Heavy duty 2m width
Hard stones that do not absorb water
Medium coarse
Building sand if possible
This is equal to 4 drums of water
1/2 “ diameter twisted bar
1/8” diameter
1/2 “ mesh
8