Spring Kiln Firing

Much happier with the results of the bisque firing and two glaze firings this spring. Many of the kiln issues have been resolved and future firings should be fairly predictable, thank goodness!

Still have a couple of niggles with the kiln that include:

1. The far side burner may not be getting enough secondary air as it is tempremental when the kiln reaches high temperatures.

2. Top of the kiln is 50°C or more hotter on the top shelf compared to the bottom. Ending the firing at 1100°C (measured on the pyrometer set into the bottom of the kiln), results in the 1154°C cone melting completely positioned at the top.

3. Although I have solved the roof of the kiln melting onto ceramics placed on the top shelf towards the front by inserting a deflector shelf the rear of the kiln is now suffering.

Notes:

1. May introduce an air intake at the rear of the shed, behind the far burner.

2. Packing sand underneath the bottom shelf to the side gullies of the kiln may help to normalise the temperature throughout the kiln.

3. Stopping the firing at 1080°C may aleviate problem 3.