| Web Exclusive: Tips for Loading the Kiln |
From "DIY Pottery"
episode DPOT-103 |
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Loading a kiln improperly can damage your pottery creations -- and with the ability to reach temperatures of over 2,000 degrees, it's important that a kiln be used in a safe manner. Here are tips for properly loading and using a kiln.- For most shelf and prop configurations use a tripod prop (also called stilts) floor plan (i.e. 3 props per shelf).
- Use a kiln wash or ITC spray coat to protect kiln shelf surfaces. A wash coating will prevent running glazes from sticking to the shelves.
- Dip each end of the shelf props into the liquid kiln wash. This will prevent props from sticking to the kiln shelves, making unloading the kiln furniture easier. Coating the ends of kiln props will also prevent chipping, and therefore extend the working life of the furniture.
- To prevent kiln shelves from warping, flip or reverse each shelf every two to three firings.
- A split-shelf configuration can be used as you stack a kiln with pottery. Use 3 props per shelf as supports. This allows the stacking of a variation of pottery heights – short pots on one side of the kiln and taller pieces of pottery on the other.
- Use a minimum 6" prop height at the bottom, or floor, of an electric kiln when loading. Likewise, a 6" space at the top of the kiln will assure even heating.
- When stacking dry pottery for bisque firing, the first low temperature firing, the ware, of course, is unglazed. The pieces of pottery can be stacked inside each other, laid on their sides and otherwise carefully "crammed" into the kiln. This "dry stack" option makes good use of the energy used to fire a kiln.
- As the pots are being glaze-fired the powdered glazes melt to a liquid glass. Make sure the glazed pieces of pottery do not touch as they are set in place onto the kiln shelf. Otherwise, a "kiss" will develop – two pieces of pottery stuck together by the glaze melt.
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