How to Fire a Pottery Bisque Firing in a Gas Kiln

[@arenasartgalleryl]

Thanks for the good bisque firing info.

[@marcisaacs9407]

Great presentation 🙏

[@kencoxdesign]

I've got a gas kiln I made out of an old clothes dryer drum with ceramic fiber insulation and a single weed burner that I use for both bisque and glaze. I was seeing substantial soot if I candled with the gas, so switched to drying my pieces in an electric oven at 190F for an hour or so while I'm setting up the kiln. My firing schedule is way more aggressive with cone 05 in about 60 minutes. Once the cone falls I pull out the weed burner plug up the chimney and fire hole and let it all cool for about 8 hours before venting the lid for another hour to get rid of the last of the heat. I'm firing wild clay that's been spiked with ample mullite and kyanite for raku so it seems to not mind the accelerated ramp up to 1900F. I use BBQ propane tanks which are about $20 USD to refill and get 3 or 4 firings out of each one, so $5-$7 per firing. For raku, it's the same except I pop the kiln at 05 and set stuff on fire with the glowing pots.

[@liamg1995]

That sounds like a neat process! I'm happy that you have found something that works so well for you. I love wild clays and I have found them to be more resilient in so many ways when compared to commercial clays. the dry strength is often crazy good. there is a clay that is local to me that is so strong when dry, that I can stand on a greenware flowerpot turned upside down without it cracking! happy potting!

[@lisalovelylpa]

Why not a pyrometer for bisque firing ? I would think that’s when you have to monitor the temperature change more closely ? Great video.

[@liamg1995]

There is certainly nothing wrong with using a pyrometer! I just don't find them necessary. After a while you get to judge temperature fairly accurately by eye and your senses, and only rely on the cone for the indication of the final temperature. Happy bisquing!

[@wendydee3007]

Good video. Can you estimate the cost for a firing? I'm trying to work out whether to get a gas or electric kiln. Thank you :o)

[@liamg1995]

Hi Wendy! I estimate that a firing to cone 10 in this kiln costs between 10 and 20 dollars depending on the price of propane. A bisque is a big less. A 100 lb tank costs about $65 to fill here these days. I also have a downdraft kiln that is slightly more efficient.

[@wendydee3007]

@@liamg1995 Thank you :o)

[@فاروقحجام]

What type of brick is this?

[@gato_fofo]

Tijolo refratário, também pode utilizar manta cerâmica 50mm, 128kg/m3 para até 1400 graus Celsius, um pouco mais caro mas, com resultado rápido e fantástico. Fiz um forno para Raku usando um tambor de 200L. Abraço!

[@gato_fofo]

TOP!🇧🇷

[@ionelima9637]

Qual o nome desse massarico