Pottery Kilns

The primary purpose of a pottery kiln is to subject clay objects to high temperatures, causing them to harden and become ceramic.

The two most common types of pottery kilns are electric kilns and gas kilns.

A kiln controller is responsible for maintaining the desired temperature inside the kiln during the firing process.

Annealing refers to the controlled cooling of pottery after firing, which helps to reduce stress and prevent cracking.

Bisque firing is an initial firing process that hardens the clay body and prepares it for the application of glaze.

Glaze firing is typically done at a higher temperature than bisque firing to melt and fuse the glaze to the clay body.

Quenching involves rapidly cooling pottery after firing, often by immersing it in water, to create certain effects or increase its strength.

A kiln wash is a protective coating applied to kiln shelves to prevent glaze from sticking to them during firing.

Pit firing involves firing pottery in a closed container, such as a pit or kiln, with combustible materials like wood or sawdust.

Anagama kilns primarily use wood as their fuel source, creating a unique firing atmosphere and effects on the pottery.

Saggers are containers used in pottery firing to protect the pottery from direct exposure to the flames and create specific firing conditions.

Reduction firing involves creating a reducing atmosphere inside the kiln, which limits the amount of oxygen available, resulting in specific color effects and finishes on the pottery.

Peepholes are small openings in the kiln that allow the potter to observe the pottery during firing and monitor its progress.

Neutral firing involves maintaining a neutral atmosphere inside the kiln, where the amount of oxygen is balanced, resulting in specific color effects and finishes on the pottery.

Kiln vents are openings that allow excess moisture and gases to escape from the kiln during firing, preventing damage to the pottery.