Thanks so much for these videos. I am thinking about buying a kiln but it's a bit daunting, you have really covered the info I have been searching for especially when it comes to size. So many dealers have been trying to talk me into getting a larger kiln but the 50 liter really seems quite ample.
At the studios I've taken classes at, nobody talks in terms of temperature, and even the bags of clay have a cone-range to fire to, not a temperature. So I was a bit surprised to see temperatures, not cones, on that bag of clay. [Ich bin Amerikaner, aber kann Deutsch.] When I glaze-fire, I actually slow down my ramp between about 450°C and 700°C. There's a phase-transition in the 500°-700°C region that causes a change in thermal expansion, and being a bit paranoid about causing cracks, I like to move through that transition more slowly. I also like to "soak" at the target-cone for about twice as long as recommended [but my kiln is a small hobby kiln that runs off of standard US 120V/15A, so…], and I use a programmed cool-down _sometimes._
Hello ! Thank you so much for your videos. They are "shorts" yet very informatives ! I just installed my first kiln at home (I live in France) and I am so excited to start my first firing. Looking forward to test out all the tips and tricks you gave on your videos. Have a lovely day.
Hi Mia, very nice and interesting video, thanks 🙏🏻 Just a quick question: how long does it take to dry bisque up after applying glaze? When you start firing a glazed piece, does it have to be fully dry (let’s say, I.e., a couple of hours, a couple of days or what)? I live in Rome, assuming a room temperature of about 17º in this time of the year , low humidity. Thanks in advance 🙏🏻 And btw…happy new year 🍾🥂🎊
Chips are beaking off of the bottoms of my stoneware pieces in cone 6 glaze firings. In my internet research I have seen pictures of this phenomenon and it is being called “plucking”. Are you familiar with the causes and more importantly any remedy? The conversations on the Internet immediately go to preventing glaze drips sticking to a kiln shelf, which is not my problem. To clarify, this is not a glaze problem and the stoneware chips are not sticking to the kiln shelf either. Any advice would be super appreciated! Thank you!
Yes that's plucking! I believe it comes from overfiring, but I'm not totally sure. I haven't had this problem luckily. If you're on facebook, I would ask in Clay Buddies or Pottery Heads group. Lots of potters there with amazing knowledge! They can help you :)
Thanks for the helpful video! I was wondering if the kiln program is alteady preprogrammed on the Rhode tablet on the side (so i just pick a programm and the max temp) or do i need to decide and set up all the phases one by one? If so how to decide what temp and how fast?
I am brand new to ceramic.. I was wondering, when you say “glaze liquefies” does it start running down the sides or inside of a piece? Do you have to worry about it making a puddle say in a pot? Thank you.
Hi, hope you can help me, I am a beginner, and my glazed pots haven’t got glazed properly, as I used brush on glaze requiring different temperatures. Some have been glazed some not. I think I didn’t understand the remote properly. So stopped it at 1093c, so it may have needed it longer. Is there anything I can do please? Thank you
Hello! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! It's been super useful! I have a couples of questions: I've been told that I can bisque fire Earthenware and stoneware together as long as I respect the temperatures. The ones I have are Earthenware (1000 - 1180 C) and Stoneware (1000 - 1280 C). So I was thinking of firing both together at 1000 C. Would be this OK? And If so, can I glazed them both with earthenware glazing and fire together? The reason why I am using earthenware glaze is because I have Christmas ornaments and beads glazed both sides (I will using stands for the kiln). If you could please help with this that would be amazing! Thanks!
So, the short answer is yes and yes. There is no problem bisquing the two together. I usually bisque at 900C (I am guessing the 1000 refers to the final temp). You CAN put your stoneware pots in a high-fire without any disasters. They just won't likely be vitrified (won't be waterproof and might be a little brittle)-- for ornaments and such, it should be fine. I wouldn't do that for tableware. Just don't do it the other way around- put your earthenware pots in a stoneware fire--they will melt 🙃
Hello , how long does your full glaze firing take? My new nabertherm 45l kiln has a programmed setting for glaze firing (earthenware) but it says it takes 3hr 20 mins but this is a lot less time than many sources say online for a glaze firing. It’s says it goes 0-300 c in 180 mins , then segment 2 is 300- 1050c for 20 mins. Is this too short a time to fire glaze for earthenware or does this sound ok?
Hello, thanks for the video. When do you close up the air supply and put in the exhaust sealing plugs on a glaze firing. Also when you cool the kiln , when do you open the vent and take out the plug? Thanks
I buy them from my local ceramic supplier here in Germany. I’m not sure about their availability elsewhere. I like them because they take up less space than cones! But if you cant find the rings, cones function just as well.
Not too hot! Because it gets mixed with the clean air so it cools down quickly through the tube. It’s hot right at the kiln outlet though! (will burn you)
