Thonas C. Curran on wed 24 mar 99
My initial exposure to making copper reds was with my small updraft
WRAP portable gas kiln. Although I'd read a lot on the subject of
copper reds, I started out using the directions which came with the
kiln: reduce for 30 minutes after maturing temperature is reached and
then shut off the kiln(unless body reduction desired). I remember I had
copper reds on the first try, but they have always been more or less
tough to control in the updraft kiln. At one point I did try reducing
at various stages of the firing - as suggested by CR gurus and the glaze
literature - but they have never given any better results that I could
see. Recently I've started using the kiln again for high fire reduction
and have stayed with the 30 minute reduction at the end. I would think
this goes along with the idea that the cooling cycle is where you have
the copper reds forming. The only difference now is that I no longer
load the kiln just with copper red experiments but also put in other
less finicky reduction glazes. That way I'm not too discouraged if the
copper reds are not great, and I still end up with decent pots from the
firing.
Any input on small updraft kilns? They are not the kind of thing you
have if you can install a good big downdraft kiln, but they do allow
some reduction firing for those of us who do not have that option in
their home studios. I would be interested in sharing info with any who
have used this kind of kiln.
Looking forward to having no more ice on patio so I can start the
outdoor firings for the season.
Dannon Rhudy on thu 25 mar 99
I used to fire updrafts exclusively, and still fire them intermittently.
It seems to
me that for small kilns, which cool more rapidly by virtue of their size,
it is
very important to re-light the kiln when it has cooled to about 1700 or so,
and
keep it there, on a low heat, for an hour or so. This helps the copper reds
develop. The only times I have been unable to get copper reds is when the
kiln cooled too fast. Try doing that, and see how it works for you. Nils Lou
has said the same thing, and Pete Pinnell is very clear that copper reds
develop
in the cooling cycle. BUT - you need good reduction at about cone 010 or so,
when the kiln is on it's way UP, also. At least 30 -45 minutes at that
time. If you take care of those two things, you should have good,
consistent copper reds. Try it, let us know what happens.
Regards,
Dannon Rhudy
potter@koyote.com
At 03:54 PM 3/24/99 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>My initial exposure to making copper reds was with my small updraft
>WRAP portable gas kiln. Although I'd read a lot on the subject of
>copper reds, I started out using the directions which came with the
>kiln: reduce for 30 minutes after maturing temperature is reached and
>then shut off the kiln(unless body reduction desired). I remember I had
>copper reds on the first try, but they have always been more or less
>tough to control in the updraft kiln. At one point I did try reducing
>at various stages of the firing - as suggested by CR gurus and the glaze
>literature - but they have never given any better results that I could
>see. Recently I've started using the kiln again for high fire reduction
>and have stayed with the 30 minute reduction at the end. I would think
>this goes along with the idea that the cooling cycle is where you have
>the copper reds forming. The only difference now is that I no longer
>load the kiln just with copper red experiments but also put in other
>less finicky reduction glazes. That way I'm not too discouraged if the
>copper reds are not great, and I still end up with decent pots from the
>firing.
> Any input on small updraft kilns? They are not the kind of thing you
>have if you can install a good big downdraft kiln, but they do allow
>some reduction firing for those of us who do not have that option in
>their home studios. I would be interested in sharing info with any who
>have used this kind of kiln.
> Looking forward to having no more ice on patio so I can start the
>outdoor firings for the season.
>
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