Freezing Firings
Cold weather firings
On the challenges of glazing and firing pottery in freezing temperatures and high winds. I recount the early days of using a small Amaco updraft kiln, warming propane tanks with hot water carried from my shower, and battling frozen regulators. Those moments taught me resilience and resourcefulness.
Today will be an interesting day as I glaze and fire mugs in freezing temperatures and high winds. These conditions present a unique challenge, one I look forward to tackling. I’ve fired kilns before in freezing weather, even back when I used a smaller updraft gas kiln. While the process is cold and requires extra care, everything should go smoothly—provided the kiln lid isn’t frozen shut.
My first kiln was a small Amaco updraft kiln, which could only fit two shelves of pots, about 20 mugs in total. I’d connect it to 20-pound propane tanks submerged in water to prevent them from freezing. Occasionally, I had to replace the icy water in the tubs, as frost would form around the tanks’ bases. On some of the colder days, even the regulators would freeze.
Fetching hot water for the tubs was another challenge. I would fill 5-gallon buckets in my shower and carry them down to the kiln, pouring the water into the tubs to warm the propane tanks. As the tanks warmed, the pressure would rise, causing the kiln to flare up with excess gas. After each pour, I’d wait at least five minutes to stabilize the pressure and adjust the flame. It was a slow, tedious process, but it worked.
Thankfully, I don’t have to deal with those conditions anymore. My larger Olympic updraft kilns, purchased second-hand over the last three years, run on larger propane tanks and perform much more efficiently. Even in freezing weather, firing now feels almost luxurious. I can warm my hands by the low pilot flame while loading the kiln. As long as the wind doesn’t extinguish the flame, the firing will go smoothly, though it may take a little longer to reach temperature and cool faster than usual.
“A man who has been through bitter experiences and traveled far enjoys even his sufferings after a time.”
– Homer, The Odyssey, Translation by E. V. Rieu
If I were living today a second time, I would have:
I would have made at least one thing after work. Instead I fell asleep watching a show with my wife. I need to remember not to fall asleep spending time with her. She didn’t seem to mind but was kind enough to fill me in on what I missed.
Things I am grateful for:
My larger Olympic updraft kilns. They make firing pots easy in cold weather.
If I get to live to be 86, I only have:
13180 days left.