How to load ceramic pieces for biscuit firing

First of all, Place stilts in a triangular shape to make sure that the shelf is above the kiln for approximately 1 inch. This allows consistent air ventilation.

While loading the kiln, be careful not to break the thermocouple. Place the greenware below the sensors about half an inch. Remember not to touch the wall of the work because the greenware is fragile. Use both hands to support the work.

Make sure that the work is dry-bone. You can sense it using your cheek. If the work is still wet, let it cool dry before loading the kiln to avoid crack. You can stack up the greenwares but not too many of them because the one at the bottom can be broken. If the works are large or heavy to not stack them.

Leave some spaces for the gas and the heat to circulate efficiently. Load the shelf one by one carefully. Do not press or smash the kiln. Use the same size of stilts and place them at the same direction as the bottom. Leave at least one-inch space between the top and the bottom of the kiln chamber.

Make sure that you use appropriate kiln furniture because it requires more energy to heat the furniture than the greenware. After loading, close the lid leaving one inch space between the kiln and the lid open for 1.5-2 hours after firing for evaporation. Keep kiln lid closed afterward to avoid crack. Do not open the lid when the temperature is beyond 300 Celsius. Open the lid only when the temperature decreased to 150 Celsius.

After firing, place the works at appropriate area. Clean the chamber with vacuum. Vacuum the bottom and the wall of the kiln if necessary.

Don’t forget to record in the logbook and make sure that the record includes the whole process of firing.