Wiseman Ceramics

Preface: Achieving reduction effects with crystalline glazes has been the target of several ceramists in the past. Everything from firing gas kilns manually, to dripping combustibles such as oil and alcohol into hot electric kilns (oil-drip technique), has been attempted with varying degrees of success –as well as risk to the artwork and the artist. Others have experimented heavily with post-fired reduction to get these effects.

The main concern is that the crucial amounts of zinc in a crystalline glaze will volatize in an environment that does not have a certain level of oxygen present. At or below the temperatures at which the crystals form, however, the glaze can be altered in a “reduction atmosphere”, creating colors and effects unavailable any other way.

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One of the exciting topics at LatticeStructures™ covered the firing of crystalline ceramics in an automated gas kiln design created by Paul Geil. Together, Geil and spokesman, Kris Friedrich, gave an image based presentation on the subject. The facts were impressive… however, the response I got as the event’s organizer was mixed. Many acknowledge that Geil manufactures outstanding kilns, easily warranting the price. Still, as incredible as the kilns are, the cost and space necessary to own a Geil can be prohibitive for many private studio artists.

Paul and I initially discussed the premise for a kiln designed to solve these issues following LatticeStructures, in October 2005.
The design would represent more than just a long-needed alternative to the kilns used by many ceramic artists. This new kiln would offer a suitably sized, computer-controlled gas kiln for the private studio artist wishing to fire in oxidation, neutral, and/or reduction atmospheres.

The JH-10 is an extension of the experiments performed by Geil at his facility, and by Joe Symons and Kris Friedrich in their own respective studios (see article: Ceramics Monthly, June 2006).
Symons originally performed crystalline firings in a Geil kiln equipped with a 4 ramp computer controlled automatic damper system.
Friedrich, along with his colleague Tom Wallick, work with a 27 cu.ft. kiln capable of 8 ramp firings.

The JH-10 will run with the most recent computer controller, and is currently being tested on the JH-10 prototype at Friedrich Pottery. It will possess a 16 ramp capacity, touch screen controller, PC interface, and advancements in the auto damper system itself.

The kiln itself is a natural draft/downdraft design, made of a heavy gauge welded steel exterior, and a fiber-lined interior. Capable of 2500F peak (cone 14), the fiber allows for fast climbs, yet also facilitates fast drops in temperature (read more here).
In terms of size, 10 cu.ft. equates to a shelf footprint of 24X24X36, using standard 12X24 shelves. The JH-10 therefore offers a larger stacking area than that available with most electric studio kilns; yet it can still function well within most private studio settings. As a front loading kiln, it will also be much easy to unstack, maintain, and reload.

Current Status:

The wait now is on the newer computer, and on further advancements in the auto damper system; however, the kiln has been tested using Geil’s 8 ramp controller. Paul Geil, Kris Friedrich, and Tom Coleman reported that the the kiln performed very well, and I have witnessed some wonderful results from these test runs.