Brennöfen

Brennöfen are kilns or furnaces used to apply sustained high heat to materials in order to drive physical and chemical changes, remove moisture, or vitrify substances. The term derives from the German Brennen (to burn) and Ofen (oven); Brennöfen is the plural form in German-language usage and is also found in other Germanic languages to denote firing kilns.

Brennöfen are employed in a variety of industries and crafts. In ceramics and pottery, kilns enable the firing of clay bodies and glazes, with atmospheres ranging from oxidizing to reducing that influence color and texture. Ceramic kilns are commonly electric, gas-fired, or wood-fired, and typical firing temperatures span roughly 800 to 1400 degrees Celsius. Brick and tile production uses specialized kilns designed for longer firing cycles and durability under repeated heating. In metalworking and materials processing, certain furnaces called kilns or furnace units are used for drying, calcining, or firing coatings, although many metal furnaces are classified separately as furnaces or smelting vessels rather than kilns.

Construction and operation of Brennöfen rely on refractory materials capable of withstanding high heat, insulation to minimize heat loss, and a flue or chimney system to vent combustion gases. Modern kilns often employ temperature control, data logging, and automated safety features to manage heating and cooling cycles and to protect the material being fired.

Historically, kilns have been central to pottery, brickmaking, cement and lime production, and various ceramics industries. The term Brennofen and its plural Brennöfen commonly appear in technical literature about firing technology in German-speaking regions.