Chiv

Thanks @Babs! Assume this is to have a slow start/ avoid shock/sudden high temp - is this right? Will def. give a go

Hi all, I use alot of medium grogged stoneware and keen to fire pieces only once, I don't intend to glaze these pieces either. Previously I'd always done a bisque firing and then a glaze firing, but wondering now if I can keep to a single firing only, particularly as now there is no glazing... I like to reach the highest temp of 1240 for the clay I use. Bar ensuring the clay is very dry before firing, could anyone advise an ideal kiln firing schedule? Thoughts/advice/ previous experience really appreciated!

(Just to say that I now am receiving alerts, so thanks for the thumbs up @Hulk hah, good to know it's working!)

@Hulk & @Rae Reich - thank you for your responses! I'm having trouble with this forum not letting me know I've had any replies, so I'm sorry not to have seen this! Glad to have some confidence about the parian surface. The pieces are mainly decorative, but I was also interested in experimenting with plants in some. I've not had trouble with water absorbing in general but wanted to know if there was anything else I should be thinking about to protect the 'white' surface for as long as possible. Re. my unglazed stoneware question, I'll try and ask where it's more relevant as still would like to know what best to do for protecting those pieces.

Hi all, I couldn't find any threads on sealing finished work - do direct me there if there is ! I've been making work with parian and love it, I'm trying to go larger and experimenting with different uses. However I wanted to query if there was a seal that I could be using to help protect the surface. I'm not interested in glazing, as I like the surface as is. My work is predominately decorative but should I experiment with some functional pieces I'm also keen to know about sealing that's food safe. I don't want to add too much of a shine to the surface/alter its look too dramatically - as close to the raw/natural look of the fired clay surface as possible.. Any ideas? Also most of my experience has been with handbuilding black stoneware, again I love to keep them raw, matt, without a glaze on the surface - however, again I wonder if there is a seal I should/could be using to help prevent dust build up etc. and protect it without taking away from the surface and not adding shine. Thanks in advance!! D