First time firing

[Damian79]

Hi Guys
this is for the Potters out there. Im firing my kiln for the first time tomorrow and I have a few questions.
1. If I plan to fire unglazed pots from green ware, do I need to bisque fire first?
2. Do I need to use kiln wash on the shelves if I am bisque firing, and if I am firing unglazed pots?
Im not going to tackle glazes just yet, I want to get my head around this side of at all first.
Any help/advise is greatly appreciated.
cheers
Damian

[joannm]

must have been fate. taking a well earned break and my other half said get online Damian needs help

[joannm]

okay , you don't need wash for bisque firing. but have you bought oroton cones to test the temp while firing?

[Damian79]

I have, but I have just realised I need some lower temp ones. I only have cone 6 and 8.

[joannm]

okay as this is really a test firing and you are only bisque firing , don't worry this time.

[Damian79]

I think Ill need to get some cones at 06-04 for bisque, is that correct?
I have a kiln sitter on my kiln but thats not much help when I only have the higher temp cones.

[joannm]

you need them to be sure that this second hand kiln is working correctly for a start .
I don't do bisque firing , I do single firing only . even when I am glazing

[Damian79]

OK? is that a better way to fire? I was under the impression that you kneed to bisque before you can glaze? I guess thats why I was asking about unglazed pots, I cant see the point of bisque firing if its not being glazed. If I can fire once with glaze included that will save a lot of time (and power).I have had it on so I know it works. My future brother in law is an electrician and he helped me get it set up. Is it worth taking it to cone 8 first time round? Im not glazing these first experimental pots.

must have been fate. taking a well earned break and my other half said get online Damian needs help

Tell you partner I said a big thanks by the way

[joannm]

have you got a copy of tetlows suggested harco programs ?
if not I can scan and send to you via mail

[Damian79]

No I haven't. that would be great if you could email them to me.

[joannm]

email address would help
cause i don't know it .

[Damian79]

Hi guys
Ok ,so here are results of my first firing. I only put a few pots in of different shapes and thickness to see how it went. Im a little surprised at the color of the clay, although it was only a bisque fire I think it didn't quite get hot enough.
Thoughts?

first load.jpg

colour dif.jpg

oval.jpg

bisque ware.jpg

Any advise/comments welcome. (good or bad)

[Shane]

Nice one Damian. *waiting to hear the experts' views*

[GavinG]

That looks right for a bisque - the clay is only fired enough to get hard. It's easier to handle and glaze, but still absorbs water, so the glaze sticks on. The full temperature will give you the right clay colour. Now you need to choose glazes... Do lots of tests on rubbish bits to find out how the glazes behave, don't waste your work. And fill the kiln for a glaze firing - uneven density will make the glaze results uneven. Don't be afraid to make funky shapes and textures - if all you are making is what you can buy anyway, it's not worth it. Best of luck. And buy a book. or six. Glazing can be tricky.

Gavin

[bodhidharma]

Great first effort Damian