Marianne Lombardo on sun 26 nov 00
Sorry for all the questions tonight, but this list is such a wealth of =
information and knowledge.
I have simply been following the manufacturer of my kiln (old Evenheat =
electric kiln) instructions, of flipping each switch at a one hour =
interval. A cone 6 firing takes 5-1/2 to 6 hours and my kiln has 5 =
switches. My kiln is equiped with a kiln-sitter.
I'm not entirely happy with a lot of my glaze results even though so far =
I purchase ready-made glazes. Should I be allowing more time between =
switches? Leaving bottom and top peepholes open instead of shut?
Jeff Lawrence on tue 28 nov 00
Marianne was disliking her glaze results from a 5 1/2 - 6 hour cone 6
firing.
Hello Marianne,
I have produced many ugly glazes and confirm that fast firing is a sure way
to repeat the result. You didn't say what you disliked, but if pinholes,
crawling, spotty maturation and or poor melting are offending thine eyes,
try an 8 or better a 10 hour firing.
Jeff Lawrence ph. 505-753-5913
Sun Dagger Design fx. 505-753-8074
18496 US HWY 285/84 jml@sundagger.com
Espanola, NM 87532 www.sundagger.com
John Hesselberth on tue 28 nov 00
Marianne Lombardo wrote:
>Sorry for all the questions tonight, but this list is such a wealth of
>information and knowledge.
>
>I have simply been following the manufacturer of my kiln (old Evenheat
>electric kiln) instructions, of flipping each switch at a one hour
>interval. A cone 6 firing takes 5-1/2 to 6 hours and my kiln has 5
>switches. My kiln is equiped with a kiln-sitter.
>
>I'm not entirely happy with a lot of my glaze results even though so far I
>purchase ready-made glazes. Should I be allowing more time between
>switches? Leaving bottom and top peepholes open instead of shut?
Hi Marianne,
As a first step, make sure you are really firing to cone 6 if that is
where the glazes are rated. Since you said you are using a kiln sitter
you may only be firing to cone 5 or so. If you are putting a small cone
6 in your sitter and using that to shut off the kiln you are almost
certainaly firing low. Fire a load with a cone pack (say cones 4, 5, 6
and 7) of large cones on each shelf of your kiln and see what is really
happening. When you get past that and have your kiln firing uniformly to
cone 6, then reevaluate your glazes. If you are still not happy give us
more detail on the problems and someone will try to help.
Regards, John
John Hesselberth
Frog Pond Pottery
P.O. Box 88
Pocopson, PA 19366 USA
EMail: john@frogpondpottery.com web site: http://www.frogpondpottery.com
"It is, perhaps, still necessary to say that the very best glazes cannot
conceal badly shaped pots..." David Green, Pottery Glazes
Rhonda Oldland on fri 1 dec 00
My kiln is the same way and I really love it. I found that if I fire one
cone higher I get the results needed. I also had to experiment with my kiln
in the beginning (9 years ago) and found it fires different at the required
temp. I usually leave the first switch on for about 1 hr. second 1 hrs. and
then moving to the 3rd closing the first peep for 1 and 1\2 hr. 4th at 1
and 1\2 hr closing the second peep and using a higher rated cone than the
requirment for the glaze the last will fire for about 2 to 2 and 1\2 hrs.
more .I have also found over the years the glazes varies depending on how
tight the kiln is packed. I get far better results in the middle of the
kiln loaded with plenty of space between wares.
When firing majolica the rules changed in order to get the results I was
looking for I had to fire at the cone suggested and then they all came out
lovely. It took me sometime and experimentation it get used to this type of
kiln but now I really do like it.
Looking back,I think I should have started just making tiles I could do
something with like tile my walkways and garden before I started firing my
pottery.
Rhonda S.C. BEST OF LUCK!
11:33 11/28/00 -0500, you wrote:
>Marianne Lombardo wrote:
>
>>Sorry for all the questions tonight, but this list is such a wealth of
>>information and knowledge.
>>
>>I have simply been following the manufacturer of my kiln (old Evenheat
>>electric kiln) instructions, of flipping each switch at a one hour
>>interval. A cone 6 firing takes 5-1/2 to 6 hours and my kiln has 5
>>switches. My kiln is equiped with a kiln-sitter.
>>
>>I'm not entirely happy with a lot of my glaze results even though so far I
>>purchase ready-made glazes. Should I be allowing more time between
>>switches? Leaving bottom and top peepholes open instead of shut?
>
>Hi Marianne,
>
>As a first step, make sure you are really firing to cone 6 if that is
>where the glazes are rated. Since you said you are using a kiln sitter
>you may only be firing to cone 5 or so. If you are putting a small cone
>6 in your sitter and using that to shut off the kiln you are almost
>certainaly firing low. Fire a load with a cone pack (say cones 4, 5, 6
>and 7) of large cones on each shelf of your kiln and see what is really
>happening. When you get past that and have your kiln firing uniformly to
>cone 6, then reevaluate your glazes. If you are still not happy give us
>more detail on the problems and someone will try to help.
>
>Regards, John
>
>John Hesselberth
>Frog Pond Pottery
>P.O. Box 88
>Pocopson, PA 19366 USA
>EMail: john@frogpondpottery.com web site: http://www.frogpondpottery.com
>
>"It is, perhaps, still necessary to say that the very best glazes cannot
>conceal badly shaped pots..." David Green, Pottery Glazes
>
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