Lisa Orr’s Rocket Kiln Workshop at Crab Orchard Pottery

By Andy May

‍On February 28th and March 1st, 2026, fifteen potters gathered at Don Reed’s Crab Orchard Pottery in rural eastern Tennessee for a hands-on Rocket Kiln Workshop led by renowned ceramic artist Lisa Orr.‍ ‍

Lisa Orr with concrete bricks that will support the kiln body.

Our purpose was to build a wood fired rocket kiln on-site and fire it to Cone 10. And we did!
Rocket kilns came about when Lisa married the permaculture concept of a rocket stove with a repurposed kiln body.
Our group built a rocket kiln from a discarded 1027 kiln body, hard brick, fire brick, a few concrete blocks, some kaowool, and two high-temperature vent sections. Lisa also brought her Portable Rocket Kiln. We assembled that in a short few minutes.

Above left: Lisa's portable kiln assembled. She carries this with her in the back of a small SUV!
Above right: Another Rocket Kiln is built.

Right: Close up of the firebox, fueled by scrap cedar.

We were asked to bring four or five bisque-fired and glazed, mug-sized pots for the event. We loaded both kilns on Friday evening. It was a magical time starting both kilns. Once a match was layed to the fire box, which was loaded with a bit of newspaper and scrap wood, things happened quickly. Full combustion started almost immediately with NO smoke. None! Potters took turns feeding small-diameter scrap wood into the firebox. The evening had the feeling of sitting around a camp fire chatting with new friends in the cool twilight. I kept waiting for someone to break out the S’mores! The truly astounding thing was achieving Cone 10 in the new kiln and Cone 6 in Lisa’s portable in less than four hours! And did I mention there was NO smoke?

The next morning, we unloaded the kilns amid “ooo’s and ahhs”. We were asked to choose our favorite piece and gather in Don’s sunny and comfortable conference room. One at a time, each potter placed their selection on a banding wheel, and the group, facilitated by Lisa, offered their critique. If you attended art school, this was probably a common practice. For the author, a self-trained hobbyist, this was a rewarding and humbling experience. Kind words expressed appreciation, compliments and constructive criticism.

Pots fired in the Rocket Kilns.

My compliments to my wonderful new friends and their camraderie. Don Reed and his wife were friendly and generous hosts.
Lisa Orr is a remarkable teacher. She patiently suffers fools like me well. No question is too small or inconsequential. She made sure everyone experienced everything. For example, we needed to use a surface grinder to cut through the side wall of the kiln. She asked, “Who hasn’t used a surface grinder before?” Those who raised their hands were collaboratively taught to use a surface grinder! Her kindness and gentle spirit, her deep knowledge of ceramics, and her willingness to innovate made this weekend unforgettable.