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 Wood-fired
kilns are an ancient science. Several centuries ago, far-eastern potters
began to build wood-fired tunnel kilns known as Anagamas. The kilns
were built on hillsides; exploiting the natural slope to help create a
draw in the kiln. These types of kilns are fired anywhere between 2 days
and 3 weeks. Our firings have varied between 3 1/2 to 5 days.
The Anagama kiln at Whitefish Pottery, affectionately known as Agnes
(after Tom’s Great Aunt), can hold approximately 1500 pots and takes
about 24 hours to load. To start, a small fire is lit in the mouth of
the kiln. Constant attention is given to the fire, slowly increasing the
kilns temperature. Gradually, as the temperature rises to 2400oF, the
kilns appetite grows along with the pace in which wood is fed into the
kiln. Potters and other contributors from throughout the valley work
together in rotating shifts to constantly feed Agnes’ hunger for wood.
 The
flame from the firebox will travel through the entire length of the kiln
(in this case, about 50 feet) to billow out the chimney during the peak
of the firing. The flames maneuver around the pottery inside creating an
effect known as flashing. The nature in which the flame moves through
the kiln is uncontrollable. During this period, fly-ash carried by the
flames from the firebox settles on the pottery and begins to melt,
coating the ware with a natural occurring ash glaze.
Pottery fired in this manner is unique and no two are ever alike.
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