Kiln base

First I have to admit that I messed up the base size. My hubby was so nice to weld up a steel frame in the size I gave him, and I gave him the wrong size! Airhead me but I think we can compensate. :) I dug down and leveled the area (5'x5') when I meant to do 5'x6'. Because my IFB is "key" shaped I will have to lay them sardine style which combined with the layer of hard brick will make a much thicker wall than usual. We dug in and leveled a steel square made of scrap steel. It was then backfilled with dirt then paver base (sand/gravel) and topped with some sand. The cinder block was going to sit inside, but due to my poor measuring skills, they will now sit atop.

It is level and firmly compacted. Then came a layer of recycled cinder block and a layer of solid 1/2 block. 

The only thing I am unhappy about is the 2" overhang off the metal frame where the chimney goes. It seems to be well supported and stable but wish I had done my calculations better. My hubby offered to weld a small outcrop piece if needed but we don't think it is necessary. It did cost me the price of some new cinder block to get it all the way I needed it. sigh...

Here is the level base for the kiln building to start. A layer of 1" fiberblanket (kaowool) will go down first then a solid layer of hard firebrick which will serve as the base of the kiln. (I found a new box of 50 square feet kaowool 1" thick ceramic fiber blanket on Craigslist in Atlanta for $60 from a person who decided not to build their raku kiln.) I'm just glad I have a teenage football/rugby playing son who will move all the brick for me as his "weightlifting" for the day!