Glossary K

Kiln

A kiln, furnace, or oven are enclosures that all have the same purpose: to burn, dry, bake or otherwise treat a material placed in it at elevated temperatures.   Kilns are associated with drying ceramics to harden them and with burning limestone to obtain lime, an important metal ore smelting (melting) "flux".   Furnaces are associated with smelting ores to obtain metals, or to heat homes.   Ovens are associated with baking foods, such as bread or drying finishes.   A stove heats materials placed on it and also heats the air surrounding the stove.