John Benn and Colleen Gallagher
Harstine Island Wood Kilns
The larger of our kilns has two low chambers and is 23 feet long. John designed it to get anagama-style firing effects and ash,
but it has castable refractory lids that open on hinges to make it easy to load. There is a small firebox between the two chambers.
The large kiln shares a chimney with a Bourry-box salt kiln. We fire the salt kiln in two ways: with a bagwall and salted;
or without a bagwall and without salt (this gives us similar effects to a train kiln.)
John and I are accustomed to working alone. In contrast, firing with wood is often a communal activity, and our firing
crew joins in our hard work and long hours. Our usual crew members -- Chris Knapp, Reid Ozaki, John Harris
and Susan Lochner -- share with us their often different approaches and attitudes toward clay, surfaces and fire.
We have also been fortunate to have had many other potters and friends fire with us.
