My kilns are just tools, but I use an entirely different firing technique from John. John fires at Cone 10 (roughly 2300ºF), in a gas-fired kiln, in a reduction atmosphere. I fire at Cone 6 (roughly 2200ºF), in electric kilns, in an oxidation atmosphere. Reduction firing requires hands-on work in the form of adjusting the kiln's dampers during the latter stages of the firing to slightly starve the flame for oxygen. Oxidation firing is pretty much a hands-free operation. You just turn the kiln on and, usually, a shut-off device of some sort turns the kiln off when the desired temperature is reached. The firing process itself is about as romantic and dynamic as baking macaroni and cheese.

I do have an almost complete four-foot by four-foot catenary arch kiln intended for wood-firing. I built it to its current point of completion from free recycled firebrick salvaged from a demolition job at a steel plant. Someday I'll buy the brick to finish the job, but it's not a high priority at this point. Firing it would be more of an experimental fun project than a serious attempt to create saleable pots. Right now, it makes a great place to keep my lawnmower.