The Olsen kiln
The design of the Phoenix kiln, of American origin, was developed during the “Phoenix Workshop” in Dumbarton, New Hampshire, in 1978. The kiln can reach 1300°C in 4 hours with a minimum of fuel. This compact kiln is very homogenous in temperature; the ‘folded’ flame traverses the chamber at diagonally. The chimney has the same width as the kiln itself.
The recently constructed kilns are named Olsen kilns, after Fred Olsen, an American constructor of kilns, and writer of ‘The kiln book’. He came in 2015 to La Borne, and built the first kiln of this type behind the CCCLB. Like the Phoenix kiln, the chimney and the chamber are on top of the two fireboxes, which open at the same side, so that one person can fire the kiln. As the chimney is preheated by the fireboxes, it draws the smoke quicker than usually with a chimney of this size and height. The firing can be elongated to get more effects of the firing. This type of kiln is often used as salt kiln.