The Magic & Community of Wood Firing
There’s something truly special about the world of wood firing. Every step; prepping, chopping, wadding, loading, lighting, tending the fire through the night, and finally unloading demands time, strength, and patience. But it’s also filled with camaraderie and quiet magic. Some of my favorite moments have been spent in the flickering glow and steady roar of a wood kiln, surrounded by the people I’ve chosen to fire with.
I’m grateful for the community and private kilns described below. Each have welcomed me and given me the chance to learn, experiment, and play with their flames.
Jerry Baldwin Ceramics
-Montanagama-
The Montanagama measures 4 x 4 x 12 feet—small enough to fire more often than larger Anagamas, yet large enough to hold a significant body of work. Its design places the pots in direct contact with wood and ember, producing striking natural ash effects and dramatic flame markings.
Clay Studio of Missoula
-Anagama-
The Clay Studio of Missoula's Anagama kiln was built in 2007 and is approximately 720 cubic feet. Most often, firings are led by CSoM's current Woodfire Resident. Community members and class participants are scheduled for six hour shifts throughout the firing and the kiln typically fires for 5-8 days.
Clay Studio of Missoula
-Cross Draft Kiln-
At the site on Blue Mountain in Missoula, Montana, there is also a smaller cross-draft kiln that was built in 2016 that can take up to 2-3 days to fire.
Jerry Baldwin Ceramics
-Catenary Kiln-
Jerry Baldwin's Cat Kiln is 6 x 4 x 3 feet with a firebox separate from the stacking chamber. This design produces its own unique range of surfaces, from soft flashing to crusted ember lines.
Private Train Kiln
-Missoula, MT-
A train kiln is known for its long, narrow shape that allows flame and ash to move evenly through the chamber—almost like a train moving down a track. This design creates rich, unpredictable surfaces on the pottery, with natural ash glazes, flashing, and color variations that can only be achieved through wood firing. Each piece becomes a one-of-a-kind record of its journey through the fire.
Clay Studio of Missoula
-Soda Kiln-
From time to time, I also fire in the Clay Studio of Missoula’s soda kiln. The process is shorter than wood firing but offers the same excitement of atmospheric flashing and unpredictability. In 2024, I had the chance to help build this kiln alongside fellow community members under the guidance of Scott Ross, a project that deepened my connection to the process. The bold rush of spraying soda into the roaring kiln ports never loses its thrill.
