East End Posted February 25, 2020 Report Share Posted February 25, 2020 Hello...I'm new to this forum. I've been creating with clay for 5 years at a communal studio. Just purchased my first kiln (L&L) and need some advice/recommendations. I was thinking of doing my first bisque firing as follows: Two-hour pre-heat, cone 05 with no ramps but 5 min hold at top. Does this sound right? I'm using a Cone 6 clay and the pieces are very dry but I've read that a pre-heat can't hurt. Should I ramp along the way? Should I hold more (or at all) at top? Should I program cool-down? The manual isn't very helpful on the specifics even though it's about two inches thick! Thanks, in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted February 25, 2020 Report Share Posted February 25, 2020 Welcome, and congratulations on your new kiln! Unless you’re working with a really dark clay that has lots of gross things to burn off, ramps and holds aren’t necessary for the bisque. I personally don’t usually do a preheat, but I also live in a very dry area. If aren’t sure if your green ware is totally dry; you’re right, an hour or two below 100 C and a normal, slow firing cycle after that should be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyK Posted February 25, 2020 Report Share Posted February 25, 2020 Assuming that it is a brand new kiln and not just new to you, it probably has an electronic controller. If so, it would probably have some pre-installed programs for various cones... you could just set it for a ^04 firing and go with that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted February 25, 2020 Report Share Posted February 25, 2020 2 hours ago, East End said: Hello...I'm new to this forum. I've been creating with clay for 5 years at a communal studio. Just purchased my first kiln (L&L) and need some advice/recommendations. I was thinking of doing my first bisque firing as follows: Two-hour pre-heat, cone 05 with no ramps but 5 min hold at top. Does this sound right? I'm using a Cone 6 clay and the pieces are very dry but I've read that a pre-heat can't hurt. Should I ramp along the way? Should I hold more (or at all) at top? Should I program cool-down? The manual isn't very helpful on the specifics even though it's about two inches thick! Thanks, in advance. To be clear on terminology, a ramp is the rate of climb to a target temp, so you can't fire without any ramps. The pre-programmed 'Fast Bisque' setting works great for most work. If you have thick pieces or very dark clay you may want to use the 'Slow Bisque'. A preheat won't hurt, but if things are dry I would only do about 30 minutes. Remember that it's going to take about 2 hours to get to 200F before it starts the preheat time, so you're getting some drying there already. No reason for a hold at the top for bisque. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted February 25, 2020 Report Share Posted February 25, 2020 5 hours ago, East End said: Should I program cool-down? For bisque, nope. (cavet to this would be if the pieces are enormously thick and thin sculpture pieces then you might want to slow the cooling) edit: congrats on your new L&L kiln! Wish they were available in Canada! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted February 25, 2020 Report Share Posted February 25, 2020 I am using all the pre-programmed settings on my L&L Easy Fire and have never once had anything go off track. I'm not in a position (some cognitive deficits) to fiddle much with math/science etc. and the fact that I can rely on my kiln to do its thing consistently (it is not old or worn) is a blessing. By using a highlighter and some stick-out tabs I can easily look up whatever program settings I need and follow along on the programmer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted February 26, 2020 Report Share Posted February 26, 2020 5 hours ago, Min said: edit: congrats on your new L&L kiln! Wish they were available in Canada! Drive down and we'll load up your car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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