For his Hackaday Prize entry, [Matt] is building a small kiln for melting metals and firing clay. He’s making this kiln out of materials anyone can acquire — dirt and a bit of nichrome wire.

The Qianshu Kiln is over 350 years old and is one of China's ancient "Dragon Kilns." It’s located in Yixing, East China, and it dates back to the Ming dynasty. The kiln is made from soil and ...