mel jacobson on tue 29 jan 08
there is always a BUT, IN firing.
an X factor.
no one way, no perfect answer.
here are a couple of scenarios:
i have a big plate order...sets of dishes.
want them all to match...so i have to stack
that kiln full...yes...every kiln shelf, every post
i own. they all get crammed into the kiln.
26 kiln shelves...all in one firing.
how long will it take to fire?
who knows?
you have to heat everything in the kiln to cone 11.
that is a great deal of mass. a great deal of weight.
nils points this out very well in his book.
weight, mass, heat, time.
and, as feriz delkic points out. the insides and foot rings
of every pot has to reach a perfect cone...all the same. (the
air inside of a bottle must be heated to cone 11 too.)
in other words, you don't just fire the clay pots...you fire the kiln..
the walls, the floor, the kiln shelves, the posts. when it reaches
your apex cone....it is done. down firing helps this apex
temp become perfect. if you rush the firing, do you really
heat it all the same? perhaps not. does a slow, careful pre/heat
help the pots gain energy for the big push of the firing...perhaps.
(i am of a mind that the slow pre/heat lets the heat penetrate the
kiln, the shelves and posts...i think it helps...my experience tells
me it does.)
another firing.
lots of tall bottles and pitchers, vases...bigger items.
i have only six kiln shelves in the firing. how long will it
take to reach cone 11? i don't know. we will see.
weather:
today it is -4F. strong winds from the northwest.
my kiln room is cold. the shelves are frozen. the posts
are frozen. the kiln has been sitting in below zero temps
for three weeks. would i just load it and turn it to high gas.
fire in four hours...i think not.
may 1st. two days of clouds and rain, the kiln room is damp.
humidity on everything. has been that way for a month.
60 degrees and humid, clouds. how will i fire?
august 30, 99F, clear skies, soft wind. how will the kiln fire?
if you think one size fits all, you have a great deal to learn.
every day is a different day when you fire a fuel kiln.
mel...( can you tell i am writing a book, every day writing about
firing...my fingers are a bit numb.)
from minnetonka:
website http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
clayart site:
http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
gayle bair on tue 29 jan 08
Mel,
I'm hope your new book will be published by the 2009 NCECA!
Gayle Bair
Tucson AZ
Bainbridge Island WA
gayle@claybair.com
www.claybair.com
On Jan 29, 2008, at 7:54 AM, mel jacobson wrote:
> snip>
> mel...( can you tell i am writing a book, every day writing about
> firing...my fingers are a bit numb.)
Logan Johnson on tue 29 jan 08
mel jacobson wrote:
>mel...( can you tell i am writing a book, every day writing about
>firing...my fingers are a bit numb.)
Mel Darlin',
If you think your fingers hurt from writing the book, just wait 'till everybody at NCECA asks for it to be signed by you ! LOVE the spiral binding by the way.
Logan
Logan Johnson
Yakima Valley Pottery & Supply
719 w. Nob Hill blvd.
Yakima Wa. 98902
(509) 469-6966
www.yakimavalleypottery.net
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