​GAS FIRING REPORT

We fired the green updraft kiln last week with the unloading on Saturday.   Lyuba helped with the loading and firing and more than a dozen members came and assisted with the unloading.   Great results again with the firing with just 2 exceptions where a lower temperature glaze was used and resulted in a serious bonding to the shelf.  It is disappointing to see this result as the new shelves are damaged and the work has to be chipped from the shelf with a hammer and chisel.  Remember this kiln is fired to an even temperature throughout the kiln, to cone 10, which is 1300C to 1320C.   Please check the list in the glaze room and Rod’s notes below on the glazes that SHOULD NOT be used.

If you do use any of these glazes, please label your pieces clearly and place them on the separately labelled shelf.

With the imminent Kapiti Coast Art Trail fast approaching, just a month to go, we are offering last minute gas firings subject to there being sufficient work on the shelves.   Proposed dates are work in kiln room before loading starts at 9am, Thursday 27th October, firing Friday 28th starting 8.30am, unloading Sunday 30th at 2pm.  That leaves just the week days to prepare and label your work before the first Art’s Trail Day on Saturday 5th November.

Neil Hey, Kilnmaster

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NOTE FROM ROD

The following glazes are NOT suitable for the DOWNDRAUGHT kiln:
Van Guilders Ash, Purple Haze, Mamo and Silverton Blue

All the other gas fired glazes can be used in both kilns.  It is important to list the
glazes on your ticket for the UPDRAUGHT kiln as that will determine where they
are placed in the kiln.

The DOWNDRAUGHT kiln fires to 1300C.  Temperature is very consistent from top to bottom. There is a wider firing range in the UPDRAUGHT kiln, from 1280 at the
top to about 1315 at the bottom.

We hope to have firings in both kilns towards the end of October.