Kilns

Important! Avoid Blow Ups!

Work needs to not be thicker than your thumb-hollow it out.
Trapped air causes breakage, put an airhole in it.
Wedge clay to avoid air bubbles.
Dry clay to bone dry before firing!

<- This image is what your clay project will do if it is too thick, fired too wet, or has unvented hollow areas.

If the clay is too thick it takes much longer for the center to dry out thoroughly. If the clay has moisture in it when fired, the moisture will turn to steam and expand, and if the steam cannot escape from the piece fast enough it will blow the piece up.

Different Types of Kilns

Electric Kilns: These are popular for their ease of use and precise temperature control, making them ideal for beginners and smaller-scale pottery or ceramics.

Gas Kilns: Gas kilns offer a wider temperature range and are favored by professionals for creating unique glaze effects and for reduction firings, which can change the texture of clay.

Wood-Fire Kilns: These are traditional kilns that use wood as fuel, requiring more skill to operate but capable of producing unique, one-of-a-kind results.

Firing Process for the Gas Kilns

Bisque Firing Cycle - Cone 06

Make sure all clay ware is thoroughly dry before loading kiln
I start the kiln on Thursday night and let it run at 200-300 F for the whole night. I do this until all moisture has been evaporated.
In the morning on Friday, I turn up the kiln by 300 F every hour.
Once the kiln gets to around 1700 F, I closely watch it.
I bisque to cone 06 which is 1850 F. At this temp, I turn off the kiln and close the dampener.
Then the kiln needs time to cool off. This can take all weekend. On Monday all the artwork will be done.

Reduction glaze firing cycle - Cone 10

Same as the bisque firing except the Reduction part.
Start the kiln over night. Then in the morning I start raising the temperature by 300 F every hour.
At 1700-1900 F I start the reduction process. I closed the chimney dampener almost all the way. I leave 1 inch open. This brings the kiln to the reduction state and it stays that way for the rest of the firing.
After reduction I open the dampener fully open and continue climbing at around 300F per hour again.
I check the kiln at least every 30 mins at this point. Once the cones start to bend, I turn off the kiln and close the dampener.
Then the kiln needs time to cool off. This can take all weekend. On Monday all the artwork will be done.

Raku Firing

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Kilns

Important! Avoid Blow Ups!

Different Types of Kilns

Firing Process for the Gas Kilns

Bisque Firing Cycle - Cone 06

Make sure all clay ware is thoroughly dry before loading kiln

I start the kiln on Thursday night and let it run at 200-300 F for the whole night. I do this until all moisture has been evaporated.

In the morning on Friday, I turn up the kiln by 300 F every hour.

Once the kiln gets to around 1700 F, I closely watch it.

I bisque to cone 06 which is 1850 F. At this temp, I turn off the kiln and close the dampener.

Then the kiln needs time to cool off. This can take all weekend. On Monday all the artwork will be done.

Reduction glaze firing cycle - Cone 10

Same as the bisque firing except the Reduction part.

Start the kiln over night. Then in the morning I start raising the temperature by 300 F every hour.

At 1700-1900 F I start the reduction process. I closed the chimney dampener almost all the way. I leave 1 inch open. This brings the kiln to the reduction state and it stays that way for the rest of the firing.

After reduction I open the dampener fully open and continue climbing at around 300F per hour again.

I check the kiln at least every 30 mins at this point. Once the cones start to bend, I turn off the kiln and close the dampener.

Then the kiln needs time to cool off. This can take all weekend. On Monday all the artwork will be done.

Raku Firing