Len’s Anagama is alive and smoking again

Len Cook’s famous Anagama wood kiln was fired up this Monday after a two year break, and those in the village would not have missed the smoke and fire belching from the chimney over the last four days.

As of writing, the kiln has been going for over ninety hours hours and is due to be shut down and sealed up on Friday evening. This year Len was supported by a visiting potter from down south, Tania Edwards, with occasional neighbourly assistance from Jamie.

The Anagama firing is always a visual spectacle, with a roaring firebox that consumes tonnes of wood, and side stoke holes that occasional belch fire, and a chimney that sends smoke and flame skyward for 100 hours straight. Len is reportedly pleased with the firing this year, having reached temperatures in the front and back of the kiln that should be sufficient to produce some spectacular pots. However the outcome won’t be known in until next Saturday when the kiln will have cooled sufficently to be unsealed and inspected. I’m sure the results will be pretty impressive.

Len and Tania having a break after more than 90 hours “feeding the beast”

In the mean time, here is a selection of pictures from the firing.

Text and pictures by Jamie Oliver

5 thoughts on “Len’s Anagama is alive and smoking again”

  1. Thank you you for sharing this amazing story, it must have been a wonderful experience. We look forward to seeing the outcome of beautiful pots

  2. My sincere thanks to Len and Tania for allowing some of us inquisitive friends and neighbours to join the firing on Friday evening for a few hours during the winding down process. What a privilege to have the opportunity to view the kiln and these remarkable potters at work! Even in the last hours of the firing, Len and Tania toiled away loading wood into the kiln, checking the temperature and keeping detailed records of the process. Len tells me there are only about 20 or so of this type of anagama kiln throughout Australia, so we really were (a small) part of this special event, literally on our doorsteps! We all wait with eager anticipation for Saturday and the opening of the kiln. We wish Len all the best for some spectacular results and I look forward to snapping up some rather special teapots!!!

  3. Great photos Jamie. Be ready with your camera when the kiln is opened! There should be some amazing vessels revealed.

  4. I’m sorry to have missed “Mother’s” (my name for her…. oops, I mean the anagama kiln) firing! What an awesome event so well depicted photographically Jamie! Those potter’s hands of Len’s…Artwork in themselves. I’m sure there will be some amazing pots Len.

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