Types of Kilns & Ovens

The Updraught oven

This is the basic type of oven. It consists of an inner chamber with a domed roof – in which the ware is placed- enclosed within a HOVEL.

Updraught oven at the Middleport Pottery

FLUES and BAGS lead from the FIREMOUTHS to the centre of the oven, and conduct heat to the wares inside.

The heat rises up through the contents of the oven (the SETTING) and out through the top. This type of oven is used for firing both BISCUIT and GLOST ware.

The Down draught Oven

This type of oven which uses heat more efficiently than the UPDRAUGHT oven was developed in the early 20th century. It is similar in shape to the UPDRAUGHT oven, but the draught is controlled in such a way that the heat first rises and then is forced downwards again through the SETTING and out through holes in the base of the oven. The hot smoke is then sucked up through a straight chimney nearby which serves one or more neighbouring ovens.

The kilns of Acme Marls, Burslem, are the only
remaining downdraught type of potters ovens

This type of oven is used for both BISCUIT and GLOST ware.

The Muffle or Enamel Kiln

A MUFFLE kiln is very much smaller than the other types of oven and is used to fire decorated ware. Decorated wares are fired in order to make their colours permanent as, without firing, these can be washed or rubbed off.

Bottle oven in Chelsea Works, Moorland Pottery, Burslem
muffle kiln with circular hovel built c1910

A MUFFLE kiln does not require a temperature as high as that used for BISCUIT or GLOST ware. The flames do not enter the firing chamber, instead the oven is heated by means of encircling flues. In this way the delicate colours are protected.

The Calcining Kiln

There is no particular reason a CALCINING KILN should be bottle shaped, since it is used not to fire pottery, but to prepare the flint and animal bones which are added to clay to make up the material from which pottery is made. This material is called the BODY.

Rectangular calcining kilns at Pidduck Street, Middleport.

Before the flint or animal bones can be added to the BODY, they have to be crushed to a fine powder. If they are burnt or CALCINED, they become brittle and can be powdered with ease.