A pit or channel beneath the fire box and separated
from it by fire bars, into which ash from the fire
could fall and from which air could pass upwards to
the fire.
An openwork arrangement of bricks forming the floor
of the firing chamber. Constructed to give support
for saggars etc. whilst at the same time allowing
clear and even passage for gas flow.
Flue constructed above or at some distance from the
firing chamber to draw the hot gasses through the
kiln and carry smoke and noxious fumes away from the
workshop area.
The small accumulation of clay formed on the end of
the wire as it passed through the stem blank forming
the bore. The dottle is often to be seen remaining
attached inside the pipe bowl. Detached examples
have been recovered by careful washing and sorting
of detritus.
A term applied to kilns in which the direction of
travel for hot gasses, from the fire, after
circulation through the ware chamber, is downward
through a flue or flues in its base, to a chimney of
sufficient height to draw the whole through the
kiln.
Bars, usually of brick or iron, set at intervals
across the floor of the fire box forming a bed for
the fire. Constructed in such a manner as to allow
clear passage for air to pass upwards to the fire
and ash to fall down into the ash pit.
The phenomena caused by fly ash alighting upon clay
surfaces within the kiln and combining with silica
therein to form a glaze. This can effect structure,
furniture or product and is most commonly seen in
the fire box and its immediate proximity.
Prefabricated re-usable objects made from clay for
use within the muffle or firing chamber to support
or separate the pipes or other product of the kiln.
Any piece of material used in conjunction with true
furniture to assist in its function. Commonly these
are distinguished by the fact that they were
introduced into the kiln as plastic clay and once
fired are not suitable for re-use.
Any projection from the outer surface of the muffle
wall spanning the flue space between the muffle and
the inner surface of the firing chamber. Commonly
these take the form of props or bars. A prop having
a vertical section either sub rounded or sub
rectangular with more or less equal intersecting
diameters or sides. A bar being extended in the
vertical dimension.
A term applied to a kiln with a simple ware chamber
through which the fire gasses have total access.
Such a kiln commonly employs saggars to contain and
protect the ware.
In this work the term slag is used to describe
any metamorphic vitrified mass derived from fuel ash
under the influence of extreme heat. Support for the
use of the term in this context can be found in its
definition in the Oxford English Dictionary and in
Searle's Encyclopaedia of the Ceramic Industries.
Small refractory vessel in which stems were heated
to melt glaze applied to their tips. Distinguished
by external fire damage, slagging etc. and glaze
runs on inside surfaces.
A term applied to a kiln in which the direction of
travel of hot gasses from the fire is continuously
upward through the ware chamber to the chimney and
eventual freedom.
The chamber between the fire box and the chimney to
hold the ware, contained either in a muffle or
saggars, for firing. Also termed the firing chamber.