Serious and very experienced ceramic artists not enrolled in the CCW Studio Potters Associate program may  have the possible option of having their work fired at CCW.

Firing fees will include Bisque, Wood/Soda, Gas Glaze Reduction firing. Individuals participating in a wood firings are expected to fulfill required shifts and duties during the loading and firing. Please scroll down to see more info on our wood firing program

Acceptance of an individual’s work will be reviewed on a person to person basis.

Rock Creek Naborigama

At the Canton Clay Works, our unique Naborigama (designed by renown kiln designer Will Ruggles) has been fired over 250 in the past 15 years, making it one of the most frequently fired wood kilns in the USA. For 24-30 hours the kilns numerous chambers are stoked with wood every 3-5 minutes. The pots in the first chamber are fired in a reduction atmosphere resulting in deep, rich color tone in the clay body, decorative slips, and glazes. The second chamber is considered a Soda Chamber, volatilized with12 pounds of a salt and sodium mixture, resulting in an atmosphere saturated with vapor that bonds with the silica contained in the clay body, creating a one of a kind sodium silicate glaze.

Climbing Train Kiln

Recently added to our kiln yard is our new Train Kiln (100+ cubic feet), a contemporary rendition of an ancient Anagama (tunnel or tube kiln). This new design was introduced to the U.S. by John Neely of Utah State University, after a trip to Japan. A unique feature of this design is the fire box, known as a burry box, with an unusual stepped grate system on the bottom of the burry box. This is an exceptionally efficient wood-fired kiln that fires faster, with great fuel efficiency resulting in similar results of an Anagama in far less time and using far less energy.

North Carolina’s internationally renowned potter, Judith Duff has made a wonderful CAD program of her kiln based on John Neely’s design. It is from this design that I have made a few unique adaptations:  a dramatic increase in size, three Hikidashi ports (means: “to open and pull out), a step in elevation in the large ware chamber (making this a Climbing Train Kiln), the addition of five brick arches, and the unusual hoistable insulated steel center arch, allowing for an aging potter to stand while loading and unloading. Our newly added Climbing Train Kiln’s construction was completed in early June 2017.

Our Wood Firing Program and Crew

Our Naborigama (named Yuki) is one of the most frequently fired wood kilns in North America. We have fired her over 250 times since building her in 2003. We are presently firing her about 10 times per year; however, we have been known to fire her as many as 20-25 times per year. Our firing crew and shift supervisors are comprised of CCW staff, faculty, members, advanced students and experienced visiting participants. Many of these individuals have been firing our kiln for the past 15 years, accumulating hundreds and hundreds of hours of experience per person. We have achieved very consistent results through the years while firing the first chamber in reduction and the second chamber in oxidation or light reduction with a vapor of salt/soda. The average duration of firing is 24 hours. On occasion we will decide to try an experimental firing: firing for 40 hours, introducing lots of ash, and reconfiguring the fire box and bag wall. We have only recently fired our Climbing Train Kiln for the first time. We are looking forward to gaining great experience in the next year with our new kiln Loadings, Firings, and Unloading.

We generally start loading the kiln at 12 noon on the first day of the two days scheduled for firing. Usually, we begin firing at 6:00 p.m., right after loading and continue until 6:00 p.m. the following evening. The majority of our firings are scheduled on weekends. All participants are expected to assist in loading and to participate in at least one 4-hour firing shift. We are not a drop off firing program; we strongly believe that wood firing is a community experience with all its educational value in hands-on experience. Most of our unloadings occur 5-7 days after the completion of the firing.  We have yet to establish a loading routine and firing format for our new Climbing Train Kiln.

Firing Fees, Payments, Volume

Our firing fees structure is one of the lowest cost in the Eastern US for wood firing. We charge 6 cents per cubic inch. All wares will be measured upon arrival. You are not expected to pay your firing fees in advance or immediately; however, we do require a $100 non-refundable deposit that will be deducted from your final balance. You will need to pay this deposit upon reserving your requested volume of space in the firing. We will send you an invoice for the balance due. We ask that visiting participants request and commit to a template of volume (space) in the firing. Participants should order a full template or a minimum 1/2 template of space. (a full template equals 24"x24"x12" , a half template equals 24"x12"x12"). Please do not stack when organizing your wares and keep in mind that there will be a 1/2 inch shelf holding each layer of wares in the kiln. When you arrive we make it very easy by quickly measuring each item.

Cancellations

If a participant cancels his or her intended participation less than ten (10) days prior to the firing dates, that participant will forfeit their deposit. No credit or refund will be available with less than ten days notice. Cancellation of participation before this ten-day period will be credited or refunded.

Education

For those of you wanting more formal information on our wood firing program. We offer a few different unique wood firing educational opportunities each year.

Glazes and Flashing Slips

CCW's Naborigama delivers great and consistent results for wood and salt/soda glazes as well as a full palette of flashing slips. We supply more glazes and slips than most well-known universities. We are regularly adding new slips and glazes. It can be confusing, therefore we encourage new participants to keep it simple. Many visitors arrive the day before a firing to start their glazing and slip applications, but many people also complete their glazing the morning of the firing before loading. It is recommended that only individuals with an understanding of the application of high fire glazes consider participating because this wood-firing program is not a workshop scenario with a full day of instruction. Beginners should consider enrolling in a workshop at CCW.

Clay Bodies

There are many clay bodies that will work well with wood firing.

All clay bodies must be cone 10-11 clay bodies. No exceptions!!!

We are presently testing several clay bodies for the ClimbingTrain Kiln. Please contact Tim in regards to

progress with other clay bodies.

(The use of porcelain has a tendency to warp open forms in our cross draft kiln.  Closed forms work quite well.)

Recommendations: (all clay bodies are cone 10-11)

Laguna B Mix Wood                terrific in wood reduction chamber formulated with Helmar

Laguna #510                            a great porcelainous stoneware (white)

Laguna #900                            brown stoneware

Laguna #950                            groggy brown stoneware

Sheffield #T1                           white stoneware

Sheffield #T3                           tan with iron specks

Sheffield Z Clay                       brown stoneware (fabulous in salt chamber)

Standard #119                        Light brown stoneware good in both chambers

Standard #621.                       Buff clay body formulated with Helmar

All studio supplies are for pickup only at CCW  -  CT sales tax included