I never ever use the kiln -- more than any other crafted structure, I feel like the kiln needs more to it. It would be cool if a few items (or furniture) needed the kiln to make or something..
How about if you put different thing in it you get something else... Clay >>> Pots (new artisan product?) Fish >>> Smoked Fish (new artisan product?) Fresh Fruit >>> Dried Fruit (new artisan product?)
Hahahaha I just had to look this up because I couldn't remember anything called a kiln. That's how much I don't use it because I definitely have one.
Lol I read your message just after I googled kiln to see what it was used for I don't recall where I put mine
The kiln would already be useful if it produced more than one coal. The thing requires too much time to be worth your while. In the time it takes you to chop enough wood, put it into the kiln and refill it any time it is ready, you have gathered 10x the coal just from smashing rocks or killing dust sprites. Make the rate 20 wood -> 5 coal and suddenly, the kiln becomes more attractive. THough, I have to admit, I DO like the idea if using it as a "smoker" - then again, a smoking hut would be an awesome building to buy over at Robin's.
I like the idea of using the kiln with clay to produce pots, but with no way to customize them (there isn't a pottery mini-game and it wouldn't fit to include one), you'd either be stuck with producing 1 pot over and over again, or a random selection of pots. I have a different approach: clay + kiln = bricks. New building material = new type of fence. Silos are the only structure that uses clay; otherwise, it's only utilized in kegs or retaining soil. Having the ability to craft a new type of fence, perhaps even more durable than hardwood fences, would give this resource more utility and a reason to keep it around.
I actually wouldn't mind a pot making mini-game. That would be kinda cool and would fit in with a clay building area.
I support the idea of the kiln making new products, but my main concern is the 20:1 wood to coal ratio. Generally wood is a lot more useful in crafting than to just turn into charcoal, and for one piece it is certainly not worth bothering with. My kiln is currently sitting in a random chest, happily forgotten. P.S. The clay-to-pottery idea really interests me. Currently I have tonnes of clay and not enough to do with it.
That's been changed to 10:1 in 1.07. Which seems a lot of fairer. Mind, I wouldn't object to a secondary function for the kiln, but now it seems much more balanced.
