Kiln Firing Checklist

See full instructions below for more detail 

1.Be sure there are no glazed items touching the shelves or sides of the kiln (glaze will adhere your piece permanently to the kiln).  Unglazed parts can touch the shelf.

2.Cone is placed in cone holder and toggle switch is positioned up and latched

3.Timer is set for 10 hours – white dot lines up with 10

4.Power switch on the cord is flipped to power

5.Set dials for low

6.Press the start button located at the toggle switch, next to the timer

7.Red light on the front of the kiln should be lit

Kiln Instructions

Note:  You must have attended training or have a trained docent with you for your first firing.

Sign up on the calendar outside the Library for kiln time.  This reserves your spot from 9am on that day until 8:50 the next morning.

This process takes 2 days so be sure you have the time to complete the process before starting.  Day one you must attend to the kiln at 9am, noon and 3:30pm.  Then you must arrive the next morning to unload the kiln.

Safety Items:
.Inserting the cone in the kiln provides a safety shutoff when the kiln reaches your desired temperature
.Setting the timer for 10 hours also ensures kiln shutoff
.Firing during the day ensures the Janitor will see if the kiln has shut off properly in the evening

Before you start your project:
Projects should be between 1/8" and 1" thickness.  Hollow out massive objects or they will EXPLODE in the kiln causing damage to the kiln and other students projects.  Projects that are too thin or have thin spots are prone to cracking during drying or breaking after firing.

Use the red or white low fire clay in the portable.  If we are running low or you use the last of something, please contact Stephanie or Alex.

You must register for kiln time.  The person who is signed up on the calendar outside the Library has presidence.

After your students make their creations, they must dry for 1 week before firing.  You can glaze them before the 1 week period, but they must be fully dry before firing.

Suggested firing schedule:
Load Kiln at 8:30am and ready to start at 9am
Turn Kiln to Medium at noon
Turn Kiln to High at 3:30pm
Kiln shuts off automatically at approximately 7pm, no attendance necessary
9am the next day unload kiln projects and clean up kiln room for next user

We will demonstrate the glazed firing technique below.  Other methods (bisque firing) involve firing the dried unglazed clay, glazing and firing again.

Firing:

Transport your student's projects on boards available in the portable.  If you load the carts with the clay projects, they are subject to cracking or breaking due to the cart vibration.

Place your clay projects on the bottom of the kiln.  Glazed objects must not touch each other.  If there is glaze on the bottom of the object, scrape it off with a metal spoon or put it on the 'furniture' provided on the shelves in the kiln room (metal tripods).  Loaded layer of the kiln.  Notice pieces are propped up on 'furniture' to allow for more room.  Remember, glazed pieces cannot touch each other.  The triangle pieces are pedestals to hold the next platform.  If you need to load taller objects or odd size items, you can use the half shelves.

When the first layer is filled, add pedestals and a platform.  Load the kiln in this manner until you reach the Cone Holder. Cone Holder without the cone
 

Insert the cone into the cone holder by flipping up the outside switch and setting the toggle.  Reach in and place the cone.  When the cone is inserted and the toggle switch is set, the start button can be pressed.  The purpose of the cone is to automatically shut off the kiln when the appropriate temperature is reached.  The cone melts and the toggle switch releases the safety catch on the kiln.

Setting the toggle switch before putting the cone inside.

Turn the Hour Timer (next to the toggle switch) to 12 hours.  The white dot should line up with the 12.

Cone holder with cone positioned.  When cone melts, the kiln will shut off.
 

You can continue to load the kiln to the top (be sure glazed items are not touching the lid)  Turn on the power switch located on the plug behind the kiln.

Set the dials on the front of the kiln to low.
Push Start button if you are following the 9am Kiln start program, otherwise, leave items for start the next morning.

Return at noon and adjust temperature dials to medium (4)

Return at 3:30pm and adjust dials to high

Return the next morning at 9am to open kiln lid for cooling

Return mid day to unload cooled items.

Clean up kiln room including floor and any items you need to return to the portable.

Sign your name to the Kiln Trained Art Docents sheet in the portable so you can help train others.

Thanks!