From Wikipedia:
Kilns are a thermally insulated chambers, or ovens, in which a controlled temperature regimes are produced. They are used to harden, burn or dry materials. Specific uses include:
- To dry green lumber so that the lumber can be used immediately
- Drying wood for use as firewood
- Heating wood to the point of pyrolysis to produce charcoal
- For annealing, fusing and deforming glass
- For cremation (at high temperature)
- Drying of tobacco leaves
- Firing of certain materials to form ceramic materials
- Drying malted barley for brewing