Wood-fired kiln VS Direct wood-firing

The Wood-fired kiln and direct wood-firing are two different techniques of ceramic firing.

A Wood-fired kiln refers to a ceramic kiln that uses wood as fuel, where the ceramic pieces are placed in saggars (protective containers) before being fired to avoid direct contact with the flames. The Wood-fired kiln aims for uniformity and consistency in the finished products. Typically, pine wood is used as fuel because of its balanced heat efficiency. The most advanced egg-shaped kiln in the history of ancient ceramics was invented in Jingdezhen, which is why it’s also called the Jingdezhen kiln. When we refer to a Wood-fired kiln, we generally mean the Jingdezhen kiln. Ceramics fired in this type of kiln have unique colors and textures due to less precise temperature control compared to modern electric or gas kilns, giving them high artistic and collectible value.

Direct wood-firing, on the other hand, refers to a technique where ceramics are fired directly with wood, which is completely different from the goal of a Wood-fired kiln. This method is the most primitive form of ceramic production, which later evolved into the Wood-fired kiln with advances in technology. Direct wood-firing was abandoned for thousands of years because it was considered too primitive and backward, with uncontrolled humidity and impurities like falling ash that directly affected the quality of the pieces. However, these original issues have been rediscovered and utilized in modern creations, as people believe that this unpredictability can lead to unexpected and special effects. Therefore, direct wood-firing has become a creative technique in ceramic art, with artists seeking out this element of uncontrolled surprise. When these surprises align with the artist’s aesthetic standards, they result in a successful wood-fired piece. However, more often than not, wood firing produces flawed products. Nonetheless, it offers rich variation and natural textures, with ceramics often displaying traces of flame and ash, giving them a rustic, natural beauty. The uniqueness of wood firing lies in the fact that each firing result is unrepeatable, which is the very charm of wood-fired art.

In summary, a Wood-fired kiln strives for precision, while wood firing embraces change; a Chai kiln seeks certainty, while wood firing seeks uncertainty.