The Sawdust Firing Method
Sawdust firing is another type of pit fire and is dead simple as it lends itself to firing in an urban area [not much smoke, no high flames]. You will need a metal garbage can for this process and a quantity of clean, dry sawdust. Make sure none of the sawdust is from chemically treated wood because the smoke produced from that type of wood is toxic.
Drill a few holes in the garbage can, especially towards the bottom, to allow oxygen to enter and feed the fire.
Place a good layer of sawdust in the bottom of the can and pack down.
Set the pots on top of this first layer. If you have a quantity of pots to fire you should alternate pots and sawdust so that the post aren’t all bunched up, but separated from the others by 10cm of sawdust.
Continue to fill and pack the can with sawdust. You dont have to fill the can all the way to the top but you should have a good 30cm of sawdust above the highest pot in the firing. Pack the sawdust firmly around the pots and down.
Light the sawdust on fire and place the lid on the can loosely to allow smoke to escape. You may need to relight if it does not get going on your first try.
Let it burn all the way down and get the pots out when they are cool enough to handle.
Edit courtesy of Ancient Pottery by Andy Ward
