Anagama Kiln Build: Roto-O-Rangi

In March 2019, Janet Smith commenced the monumental task of building a mighty Anagama kiln on her rural property at Roto-O-Rangi, in the picturesque backblocks of Cambridge, Waikato, New Zealand. A large concrete pad was laid, followed by family arriving to erect a shed to cover the area where the kiln was to be built

Master Kiln builder and designer Duncan Shearer, worked with Janet from the start with the arduous task of sourcing and collecting the thousands of fire-bricks needed. Approximately 3000 assorted bricks were needed, as well as 279 arch bricks. The arch almost spans the length of the kiln (minus the chimney area), which is almost four metres long.

Janet approached her