Gonepotty

Yes they do have preloaded cone programmes so Im going to give that a go next.

If I do a cone offset will this only be effective if I fire using a preloaded cone programme? Don't think I want to offset thermocouple as my glaze firings are fine. I have a smaller kiln which has a S type thermocouple and its always spot on. - think i might consider upgrading mine when it comes to end of its life. Next bisque firing I'll try the preloaded cone 08 on medium speed as see how things go. Thanks so much for your help

Thanks for your reply. Not having any problems with the pots but rather feel that its not achieving the desired bisque of 950'C - trying to keep everything consistent so I know how the glazes will behave when applying and during the firing

Thanks for your message. I am going to try the preloaded cone 08 bisque firing next.

Thanks Neil, this was my next thing to try

Thanks Min, yes it only has 1 thermocouple. I'll make note of this info for my next bisque firing

Thanks so much Pres, super helpful information and great explanation. Feel more confident now with bisque firing

Thanks Babs, its really helpful to have many reference points/info from different folks as it helps build a bigger picture for me.

Thanks so much for your repl Thanks so much for your help. I think I'll adjust the firing schedule and make sure I pack it evenly! Really appreciate you taking your time to reply

Hi Pres, I used a programmable controller. Skutt 1027 with the new touch screen controller. Would you mind explaining how a tighter packed shelf will impact heat as this is something I am struggling to grasp. Thanks so much

Hi all, Having very frustrating results with my bisque firing . oxidation. Never seems to get to target temp...elements fine, glaze firing reaches target with no issues. Current 08 schedule ( Celcius) Step1) 80'C/hr to 200. Step2)120'C/hr to 915 Step3)60'C/hr to 995 +20min hold. (aiming for top target of approx 1015'C; kiln has always seemed to fire cooler for bisque by about 65'C hence aiming for this higher target in the hopes it will reach 950'C). RESULTS: Top shelf reached 08. Mid shelf reached 09. Bottom shelf … no bend to 09. Bottom shelf was densely packed...would this impact the firing.? Typically, my kiln is hottest on bottom shelf and coolest ontop. Was a ful kiln load with shelves and props. I have tried this below schedule in the past and worked quite well. It is listed as a "high bisque" schedule but wondering if it is too aggressive?: 1)90'C to 300 2) 110'C to 900 3) 60'C to 1050+ 20min hold. whilst I was quite happy with this programme, it fired a bit too hot for my bisque ware and reached 1000'C. I would like to aim for 950'C and so thought shall I: a) drop the final temp down to 1000'C+20min hold in the hope that it will reach 950'C? OR b) adjust the programme to the 08 schedule? Should bisque firings take longer than 10hrs? First firing schedule took 9.5hrs whilst the "high bisque" schedule takes 13.5hrs...Guess I was keen to also reduce firing time but it appears to not have worked that well. Any words of wisdom greatly appreciated!

Thanks everyone for your help

I have no idea…I don’t use terracotta so was going to use a pot from the garden centre

Would it work if I used a greenaware pot?

Hi all, need to make some calcined clay . Don’t have a bisqued vessel to put the EPK in…would an unglazed terracotta pot be alright?? Or any other ideas thanks so much, kathryn

The smaller batch seemed to have better “bounce back “ and seemed uniform with Tony Hansens demonstration. Yes it’s a huge amount of glaze…think I’ll go smaller next time!

I appreciate any help :)) thanks for your support

Thanks Min, I think the issue was Epsom solution not saturated enough. I have made a new Epsom solution and results are promising. Thanks for all your help much appreciated

This is such brilliant information - thanks so much for taking your time to help and explain. Really appreciated. I suspect the Epsom solution wasn’t saturated enough so I mixed up a new batch and this has helped a lot. Much better consistency and better glaze application. I’ll test a couple pieces in next firing. thanks again

Hi Mark, I have add 5 tablespoons to a 21L batch.

It doesn’t settle as in rock solid but there is a thin layer of material sitting along the bottom within 5minutes. I wonder if I have ruined the glaze batch by adding too much Epsom salts? It’s not overly thick at all…almost like single cream consistency. It seems that the 5 Tablespoons of saturated Epsom salts I added didn’t cause it to turn too thick/sludgy or make much difference to the consistency but still appears to have the very thick drip runs after a 3 second dip. All the ingredients stay dissolved in the bucket if that’s what you mean by the last question? - sorry I’m a bit confused by this question. Thanks so much for your help

Yes it also settles out in the trial glaze batch. I’m also quite stumped as to why it has drip “flowing” marks. Perhaps it will be better if slightly thinner at a SG of 1.4?

I have added about 5 Tablespoons saturated Epsom solution to a 21litre batch and hadn’t made much difference to the drip marks but has increased the drying time. Doesn’t appear to be getting any thicker after adding Epsom solution and still spins for about 6 seconds or so. It is odd though because if I take about 1 litre in a small just and mix it up it stops after about 3seconds but in the large 21 Litre bucket it keeps spinning??? Which do I use ? I have watched the video from Tony Hansen and added a tiny amount vinegar to a tester pot and this made no difference at all. If I get the SG down to about 1.36 then the drip marks seems to reduce but then won’t it be a deflocculate glaze if too much water is added?

Hi all, having a bit of a hard time with glaze application. Recipe: potash feldspar 33. talc 21. quartz 16. china clay 15. whiting 12. zinc oxide 3. recipe is quite thick and tends to settle easily on bottom of bucket. I have upscale this recipe to 12 000g batch so is approx 21L in the bucket . S.G is 1.44. Added a bit of Epsom salts to help with the glaze settling. Issue is, the glaze seems to run quite a bit when applied to bisque ware. As it’s quite thick it sends to run slowly and leave really thick streaking marks. (Image attached). Not really sure whether to continue flocculating, but will this make it even more thicker??, or deflocculate, or add water which will start to take the SG below 1.4. any thoughts greatly appreciated. Kathryn

Thanks Min, all great tips and info. Yes I am measuring specific gravity - approx 1.45. Clay is slightly grogged. I think I will try make sure the glaze is not too thickly applied and see how I get on.