TaraB Posted August 18, 2022 Report Share Posted August 18, 2022 Hi Everyone, My kiln started playing up a few days ago whereby the relay kept arcing when set on low setting (Duncan teachers plus). This started within a few minutes of the bisque fire so I shut the kiln off straight away and called a technician who advised I would need a replacement relay. Aside from the relay issue, I later realised on the same day that I hadn't completely turned the kiln off. The lower elements appear to work constantly when the toggle is on OFF when the sitter is engaged/on... and I hadn't disengaged the sitter. As soon as I realised my kiln had been on the whole day (approx 10 hours), I measured with a pyrometer and it was sitting at approx 400 degrees celsius. What would you suggest I do with these '~10hr 400degrees fired' pots now? They appear to be somewhat bisqued (they make a tink sound when i tap on them) but they don't have the usual 'very pale pinkish tinge' that i get with my bisque ware. Should I just go ahead and glaze them or is it best to refire? (I intend to dip glaze some and brush glaze the rest). Since this is a full kiln of paid orders, I am scared to lose all this work. I am thinking to try glaze a couple of the pots tomorrow and do a glaze firing to see how they come out,... but if anyone has a more expert view on what to do, I would most appreciate your input. If i can potentially go ahead and glaze fire the whole lot tomorrow based on anyones expertise, that would be ideal for cost and time saving! I promise not to hold anyone accountable for the final outcome :p Thanks heaps! Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaraB Posted August 18, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2022 https://photos.app.goo.gl/474ka3s43GgBZ2jS7 - not sure if this is of any help. A quick video clip of the tinking sound of the undebisqued pots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted August 18, 2022 Report Share Posted August 18, 2022 At 400c they ought not to be very sintered nor fully dewatered. I. Would bisque them so they end up the same as your established norm. Not very likely all organics are burned out at this point. It may work with some cool result but why risk this load? Rae Reich and Piedmont Pottery 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaraB Posted August 18, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2022 Hi Bill Thanks for your thoughts on this. Is there a chance I will over bisque them by re-firing? Or it doesn't matter how long it sat at 400C as long as they didn't go over cone 04..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted August 18, 2022 Report Share Posted August 18, 2022 (edited) No, 400c is a long way from cone 04. There is virtually the 100% reality they are not bisqued at this point as you are accustomed ……. so different than you are used to. Multiple bisque firings to cone for under-glazed pots are a common thing, usually with no noticeable effect for the decorator other than their underglaze is more permanent as intended. Edited August 18, 2022 by Bill Kielb Callie Beller Diesel and Roberta12 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaraB Posted August 18, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2022 This has been very helpful. Thank you Bill. Most appreciated. I will re-fire them to bisque temp tomorrow. Kind regards Bill Kielb and Rae Reich 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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