The back stack of the soda kiln gets loaded first. I tried putting the bottles a little lower than normal. Usually the taller pieces go on the top shelf. But I don’t want them to get “blasted” with soda, so I’m experimenting by putting them a layer lower… and leaving 1-1/5 shelves of tiles on the top.

Once it’s all the way up to the arch, then you can start the two front shelves which typically load together. Again, trying to keep the bottles a little more “protected” than the top shelf “blast zone.”

And some of you have asked how I fire my Christmas ornaments. Well, I make a little tripod and then balance them upside down. This is what they looked like as they were waiting to be loaded in with the rest of the pots.

Once completed, the front of the kiln is closed up with bricks. One by one, all the way to the top. Burners on for about 15 minutes as I clean up. Then its OFF for the evening as I rush home for a few hours of sleep – and then back again early tomorrow to get it started!!!