Diz Posted October 7, 2014 Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted October 7, 2014 Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diz Posted October 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted October 8, 2014 Report Share Posted October 8, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.