Packing, Reduction Firing and Unpacking my Pottery Gas Kiln

A film that shows how my Rohde KG-340 gas kiln is packed, fired and then unpacked. This is a process that takes a few days from start to finish, the kiln packed, then reduction fired to con ten, (1290ºc), and then finally allowed to slowly cool until the pots are able to be unloaded. I discuss each step, as usual, talking about how I do certain things and why.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
0:40 - Explaining how I pack the lowest layer
1:45 - Using yellow iron ochre to save old pots I don't like
3:49 - Talking about pyrometric cones
5:20 - The pack continues
10:11 - The finished kiln pack
10:21 - THE FIRING BEGINS
12:03 - Initiating the reduction atmosphere
15:35 - Ending the firing and crash cooling
17:28 - Opening the kiln (two days later)
18:30 - Unpacking and talking about the pots
22:21 - Sanding the bases of the vessels
23:51 - Popping lids off jars
Wadding recipe: 50% china clay, 50% coarse alumina hydrate, mix powders and then add water very slowly as the mixture tends to turn too watery very easily. So better to take it slow. Once it has a clay like consistency you can wedge it up and store it in an air tight container.
Thanks as always for watching!
____
Instagram - / floriangadsby
TikTok - / floriangadsby
Website - www.floriangads...

[@DunoonVanRijn-dx1hr]

Very fortunate to have these kilns. But you deserve everything because you are so committed to producing a top quality product.

[@bigtreeclay]

Your process is so satisfying. I hope to one day have a studio like yours! I love how everything comes out so uniform and clean. I can tell this took years to perfect.

[@Sam-rp8lo]

21:43 this white jar with iron blossoms (right term?) is JAW DROPPING. Thrilling to see! Also always love the dachshund appearances

[@juanQuedo]

I think I like way too much the tinkling the pots make when the door is open 🤩

[@sarahisabella1745]

The one flat giant bowl was my personal favourite. I find gas firing interesting because I‘ve never learned it in school. I had a final project in which wood firing was required and also learned something about mixing glazes and wood firing during my summer job, but your channel for me is the only place where I can also learn something about gas firing. Even though I might never need it.

[@danflurry]

My wife and I finally finished our small basement pottery studio in our townhouse last year and we are currently waiting for our electric kiln to cool off to finish our second cone 6 firing. The anticipation of seeing what is inside is unbearable, so I’ve taken to watching your unloading sessions to pass the time. Thank you for all your incredibly relaxing, helpful, and artistically-filmed videos! Cheers!

[@pamdemonia]

That iron glaze you are using to refire is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen on a pot! I love the depth and spontaneity of the finish, and the way the iron seems to be crystallizing where it's thickest. Very cool.

[@jsud5559]

The pride and satisfaction of your creations emerging from the kiln made my day! I cannot imagine how you must feel. Gorgeous work and fantastic glazes. I am jealous…thanks so much❣️

[@mischafellner8943]

Reduction is my favorite. I have not touched my clay in years. This is great inspiration. Great video. Florian is my middle name. Best of health

[@dianeuranowski3694]

I just picked up my mail ; I just had to come here and congratulate you on being featured on the cover of the January 2023 issue of ceramics monthly -- well done! As one of your 3 million plus followers, each of whom feels that we have gotten to know you on a personal level from watching all of your wonderful videos, I think it's safe to say that we are all absolutely thrilled to see you have this well deserved recognition; the photos were stunning and the article was great! Congratulations again!

[@RoosKohn]

Thanks Florian, I do ask myself if I can call myself a potter after watching. But I still have fun even with my imperfections. Have a good holiday season ❤🌹

[@ragnkja]

Imperfections are what makes your work worth noticing. If it was flawless, it would be soulless and boring.

[@mheuman]

Thanks for walk through. The gas process is pretty complex, the finish on the forms are worth the wait. Cheers!

[@illiquidwombat3515]

Don't even know how many times I've re-watched your videos, and it seems each time I learn something new. It's amazing to watch and listen to you work

[@lindatortorice9356]

Liked your article in Ceramics Monthly.

[@Smallathe]

Most interesting - and what a huge investment of time. All in all the result is gorgeous and well worth the effort.

[@ThrowingItAway]

getting an auxiliary air tank would cut down on the duty cycles for your compressor. It would run longer but less frequently and maintain a more consistent pressure.

[@melsyoutube]

no matter how many times i watch you do this, i still love it

[@galacticmechanic1]

these all look beautiful as always. I do like that you show some of the small mistakes and misfires, in many ways this show your expertise more than just the perfect results.

[@ticolover]

This is SO informative. Saving it for when I have my own kiln next year. Thank you!

[@Alex_0Z]

most satisfying jigsaw puzzle

[@jasonb6570]

Commenting for the algorithm

[@keyboardtalk]

Beautiful

[@maxyblueye]

Good place good your ceramic. [so cute your dog]

[@bradcurtin8434]

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

[@phillipmitchell2254]

I was the 420th like, but sadly the edible will have to wait for this afternoon, thanks as always!

[@derodomtommy3716]

You don't need to worry about the cost of an entirely different room... you can just get a screw compressor which is much quieter and consistent in operation.

[@floriangadsby]

I’ve had a look at them and they still operate at 60 db, mine is currently 68 db but there’s one: www.machinemart.co.uk/p/quiet-run-air-compressor/ which operates at 43 db but only gets to 8 bar annoyingly! I need 10 bar and an 100 litre capacity. The search continues.

[@derodomtommy3716]

@@floriangadsby After some finagling it does look like when a company ups the horsepower from 1 HP to like 5+HP (the requirement to produce your 10 bar) there is either an increase in sound (to about the 58-60 db range like you stated) or an insane increase in cost (over 10x what the one you shared is at). Doesnt matter if its rotary screw or a scroll compressor... its about 60 db) I'm used to ingersoll rand rotary screw air compressors myself. The benefit is they're more of a continual operation sound and 8 db is quite a bit since its pretty close to 10x as quiet. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5XKmKNrrayel8U Best of luck with the art and the search for better sound options for your setup.

[@kyrarisenmay2786]

I've learned so much from watching your videos and my pottery has improved so much from the tips I've learned from you! I do have one question though. What are the 3 prongs that are in the kiln that end up bent over after it is fired?

[@floriangadsby]

So pleased to hear this! Those prongs are pyrometric cones that measure heatwork, more info here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrometric_cone

[@marktaylor865]

Also, does cold weather like we're having lately affect the firing times and results?

[@y.s2470]

Sorry if this has already been answered elsewhere - how do you dispose of glazed and fired pieces that have failed, such as the fused mug and cup? Thank you!

[@RyanPardoe]

Awe, pottery pupper!

[@marktaylor865]

24:20 those waddings. Do you reuse them somehow?

[@user-md4zr3zk6j]

가스가마 넘 멎져요.~~~도자기도 정말예뻐요~~

[@lindaparisi6744]

What do you do with the bowl full of waddings?

[@floriangadsby]

Milk, spoon, breakfast.

[@ragnkja]

@@floriangadsby 🤣

[@kurthall4013]

What happens to smashed pottery? How long does it take you to pack the kiln?

[@aramkrikorian9460]

How would the ochre glaze look on the clay alone?

[@xbaczewska4197]

Great flick. It seems that, along with spent cone packs, you keep every firing notation. Is anything previous to the last successful firing useful? Or are they talismans?

[@marktaylor865]

Hey florian. 👋. Is there a situation where you might purposefully fuse two items together during a firing?

[@user-vt5fp7rs2z]

I actually had a question about glazing... I just wonder how many of your medium sized pieces you can glaze with a 5 gallon bucket of glaze? If your buckets are 5 gallon, otherwise just whatever your regular glaze buckets size are...

[@BLNTSMK]

are cone 10 porcelain slip & clay the same strength/makeup after firing or are they drastically different? also where do u source porcelain clay/paint/glaze?? I j wan meissen white and clear glaze. its so hrd to find the clay and proper paint

[@Sam-rp8lo]

When you write the firing date and shelf position on the pyrometric cones and then store them on the kiln rim, is that mostly just for your own enjoyment/posterity? Or is there some practical reason for doing so

[@lene_.s]

Would it be possible to fire the lidded jars without the waddings? Or would the clay stick together from the high temperatures?

[@meanwhile_0]

The glaze would melt together, yeah.

[@lene_.s]

@@meanwhile_0 what if the glazes from the seperate pieces wouldn`t touch?

[@alexandregomes6151]

Hello. I have a question: why don't you use the gas kiln to the first fire (bisque)?

[@ragnkja]

The electric kiln is automatic, so he can just set it to fire overnight instead of having to spend his working time managing the firing.

[@alexandregomes6151]

@@ragnkja (mind blowing)

[@floriangadsby]

Exactly!

[@michaelhughes6184]

I have a question, why do you not use an automatic gas kiln?

[@floriangadsby]

I'd love to have one, one day! They're very expensive though, about £30-40k.

[@oxharp]

Hi Florian, Love your pottery and method of presenting your work especially your still work. Could you please tell me what camera and lenses you use to get that superior sharpness and quality in both your video and stills shots. Thanks in advance. Russ

[@hasmiknalbandyan8022]

1

[@luuhasan4752]

How are your

[@johnnyzhu5601]

Shoot. 2nd!!😂

[@johnnyzhu5601]

What is ochre slip? Does it have other ingredient other then iron oxide?

[@ragnkja]

@@johnnyzhu5601 Yes, water, but that evaporates before the piece is fired.