How to Build a Wood-Fired Smelter

Step 1

Dig a pit in the ground. Make the pit approximately 40cm deep and 30cm wide at the top. Give the pit a cone shape so it comes almost to a point at the bottom.

Step 2

Dig a trench starting 67cm away from the pit on any side. Finish the trench in the side of the pit, 27cm below the surface. Use the trowel to dig this trench.

Step 3

Lay the iron or steel pipe in the trench. Cover it up with the dirt that you dug out of the trench. This pipe is called the tuyere. It delivers air to the base of the fire to increase its heat.

Step 4

Lay the kindling in the pit. Lay the pine firewood on top of it. Set the bellows at the end of the tuyere where it comes out of the ground.

References

• ANVIL Magazine: Metals in Antiquity
• Wareham Forge: Slag Pit Furnace

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Tips

Dig the pit in bare soil with no organic material near it.

To use the smelter, light the fire in the pit and pump the bellows to keep it well-supplied with air. Place the metal or ore that is to be smelted in the fire. If you are melting metal for casting, you will also need a crucible to hold it in and tongs to pick it up out of the fire.

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