Firing Down

[Diz]

Temps are cooling here in MN and this Fall and maybe winter, I'd like to continue to fire my gas kiln.  I have an Olympic Torchbearer firing on LP and to Cone 10.  I can control a slow heating up when the kiln is cold in the AM but am wondering how, after reaching temp,  I go about slowing the cooling (and for how long) in a proper way so that glazes do not bubble from rapid cooling and pieces do not crack from shock.  My kiln is in an enclosed shed but the only heat there is from the kiln.  I don't want to damage my kiln or pottery just for a firing or 2 in the winter.  On a usual warm weather firing, I can unload the kiln about 36 hours after firing is completed.

 

I appreciate your sharing of knowledge.

[neilestrick]

I don't think the cold weather will affect the cooling times to the point that it will cause cracking problems, but you may notice some differences in your glazes due to the faster cooling. You cold just leave the burners on low to slow the cooling. Below 1500F you shouldn't see any difference in the glazes.

[Diz]

Thanks Neil - I thought there would be a stress involved on both the cooling and also on shelves and ware during the initial heating.  Guess I'll learn to candle longer before and then to fire on low to 1500 or so at the end. Usually my firing is stopped during the winter but this year I may be daring and give it a try.

[Mark C.]

You can fire all year

I have a potter friend in Homer Alaska with gas kilns outside -he fires all year.

you are warmer some of the time.

Mark