A Kachelofen Heater Comes to Holliston: Part 2 – Construction
After months of planning, this unique oven / heater takes shape and warms a farmhouse on Fiske Street.
Right – Four days into construction the kitchen side of kachelofen takes shape.
Raw clay is formed into a kacheln and then bisque fired in a kiln. Jessica then decorates several of the kacheln with a traditional pattern by hand using a technique called slip trailing. A glaze is then applied to the kacheln, and they are fired in the kiln a second time.
A view inside the kachelofen reveals the 3 flues going in different directions. The mortar used to hold everything in place contains just sand and line. Cement is never used. Jessica explained that the kachelofen expands and contracts enough during the heating and cooling cycles that a cement-based mortar would crack.
Mario examines the final assembly on day 8, before the tiles are grouted. The two small openings allow access to the flues. They will be covered with special removable kacheln so that the flues can be cleaned about every 8 to 10 years.
Right – Closeup of the main heating chamber and damper on the right.
Right – Last day and ready for test fires.
Right – A proper fire burned down to coals will look like this just before the damper is closed.
Right – Mark Dellicker was invited to join in recognition of his contribution to the project.
In this short video Jessica explains the proper technique for lighting a fire in a Kachelofen:
To see more of Jessica’s kachelofens, each one a masterpiece, check out her website STONE HOUSE KACHELOFEN: www.SHKO.CA
