How to use a front-loading pottery kiln?
Once you have learned how to make artifacts & objects with clay on pottery wheels, the next step after that is baking them at a high temperature. The heat converts the tiny particles or objects of soil into a solid layer. The pottery becomes more robust and gets its strength through the process.
A front-loading pottery kiln is a large-sized cabinet that comes with a heat resistance layer from the outside. Small front loading kilns are also available from the kiln manufacturers. The insulated interior puts the temperature concentrate in the center and does not allow the heat to reach the outer layer of the front-loading pottery kiln. Pottery kilns can reach a maximum of 1,500 °C. Thus, learning to handle the kiln is vital to avoid unforeseen situations.
Step by step guide to use front-loading pottery kiln for the pottery profession
Ensure that you are using the stable place for the kiln.
- Place the front-loading pottery kiln at comfortable heights. It should not move with any vibration or be close to other equipment that may make the kiln move.
- Open the door of the kiln and start setting up your shelves. The height of the shelves can be adjusted using ceramic props. Kindly use only props that come with the front-loading pottery kiln. You can buy different shapes and sizes of props for the shelves from the ceramic store. These props are designed to face high temperatures and avoid breaking or imploding.
- Use two props on each side and one at the center at the back of the kiln to offer the perfect balance to the ceramic shelf. Always place the props in the same position as you start increasing the height of the shelves. Weight should be equally distributed and transformed to the bottom through props.
- Put the web pottery on the shelves. Please have at least 1 inch of the gap between each pottery to avoid them from sticking to each other.
- Place wet pottery on the edges near the heating compartment and dry one at the center.
- It is there to get the moisture out. Check the thermal cup placement. It should be in place and in the proper condition. Ensure that the shelves are not blocking the thermal cup holes. Blocking them will trap the moisture inside, and it will cause damage to the kiln as well as pottery.
- Close the door properly and turn on the kiln. Gradually increase the temperature. Also, remove the top one or two thermal cups of the kiln to make room for the moisture to get out. As the temperature reaches 1000 celsius, you can put the thermal cup back in place and let the pottery heat for a few hours.
- Once the heating process is complete, slowly drop the temperature and open the thermal cups to let the heat out quickly. Let it cool down naturally.
- After the front-loading pottery kiln is cooled down, open the doors, get the pottery out, and put them on the table. Some might be cracked, or many have damage due to heat. You will not get 100% success in this process, so do not worry about it.
About Botpots.com
If you are willing to buy the front-loading pottery kiln for your hobby or business, Botpots offers a great deal on the kilns. Boost your pottery profession with a high-quality kiln that is easy to operate and lasts longer without needing maintenance. Following front loading kilns are available from Botpots :
Front Loading Kilns
- Potclays GK125 Kiln – 354 liters 12.5ft3
- Potclays GK100 Kiln – 290 liters 10.2ft3
- Potclays GK63 Kiln – 178 liters 6.3ft3
- Potclays EP95 Kiln – 270 liters 9.5ft3
- Potclays EP73 Kiln – 206 liters 7.3ft3
- Potclays EP56 Kiln – 160 liters 5.6ft3
- Potclays EP45 Kiln – 127 liters 4.5ft3
- Potclays EP38 Kiln – 107 liters 3.8ft3
Summary
Front-loading pottery kilns are the appropriate kilns for professional setup. They are usually used for producing pottery objects or artifacts on large scale.
