Firing schedule of cone 05 glazes.

[Aditi]

What is the firing cycle for cone 05 glazes? I have a semi automatic electric kiln. Do I have to let it fire at a constant speed till 1046°c or should there be variations? 

[Bill Kielb]

There are many effective schedules. Google the Bartlett Genesis controller manual and take a look at their cone fire schedules. Generally a schedule contains a preheat or dry out period below 200 F a midfire  portion that goes a safe speed to heat the wares evenly (often 200-400 F per hour) and a final phase to mature the  glaze often approximately 110 F degrees per hour in the last 200 F of the firing. The last 200F is where the significant heatwork is done to mature the glaze. 

Glaze and bisque schedules differ not only in temperature but time. bisque schedules generally fire at a lower rate giving ample time to remove all the organics 

Bartlett has many printed in their manual and is probably a decent reference for ideas.  Ultimately potters tweak their schedules based on the result they prefer with their glazes which often includes a powered cool down cycle at the end  of their firing for a known special effect.