Making Ceramic Art
Temperature Cones
These cones are placed inside a kiln and will bend when the proper temperature is achieved. Temperatures in a kiln vary from left to right side and top to bottom. These cones measure temperatures that we can observe through peep holes and after a firing. Some potters will make four or more of these cone packs to make sure their firing was successful or not.
Loading a kiln
A kiln is loaded with pieces to be fired. Currently the pieces are very brittle since they are just dried clay. The pieces currently have no glaze on them. This is called a bisque.
Firing a Gas Kiln
This gas kiln is fired with four burners filling the inside with a flame to over 2000 degrees. Here the peep hole has flame shooting out 'searching' for oxygen to burn. This kiln is in reduction where we manipulate the amount of oxygen available for the gas to burn.
Firing an Electric Kiln
An electric kiln uses only electricity and the coiled wires, or elements, to heat the kiln to similar temperatures as a gas kiln. Gas kilns require oxygen to produce heat and one can manipulate the amount of oxygen during the firing to produce desired effects on the pieces. This manipulation is called reduction or reducing (or increasing) the amount of oxygen. Electric kilns cannot manipulate the oxygen levels and these firings are called oxidation firings.