Hello, I recently fired a ^6 load that didn't reach temperature on the bottom shelf, evidenced by witness cones 5, 6 and 7 not bending at all. The top 2 shelves were perfect, with ^ 6 tip touching, ^5 melted, and ^ 7 bending. The kiln elements (new) all seem to be working properly, doing a visual test in darkened conditions. The firing schedule I used was an adapted E3 schedule from John Britt's book on mid-range glazes, and had a 10 minute soak at peak temperature, with a slow cool from 1900-1400F. Ambient temperature was in the low 30's. I'm thinking of re-firing, and leaving the bottom shelf empty. My question is whether I need to use the same slow cooling schedule as before, or whether it would make a difference to use a faster schedule if all I'm trying to achieve is fully melting the glaze at the rims of pots. Attaching a pic showing the turquoise pots from the bottom shelf. The liner glaze, also on the rim, is the version of John's blue in the original edition of the book. This glaze has been corrected to use Frit 3134 instead of Gerstley Borate, and I like how it works as a liner in the original form.
