[Clayart] bisque firing

[Ken Chase]

I really learn a lot from and appreciate your replies. I really don’t belong on this board though. Pottery is a hobby for me. I throw fairly well but never more than one pot in a day. No way I’ll ever be great at it.
Seldom fire my kiln. I just don’t have the energy or ambition to acquire the education and skills you all have. I don’t sell my work but do give most of it to relatives and friends.

Sorry my questions are so pedestrian.
Thanks all
Best.
Ken

Sent from my iPad

> On Nov 26, 2020, at 5:07 AM, mel jacobson <melpots at mail.com> wrote:
> 
> i cannot help myself.
> if you understand what bisque is for, why you do it?
> it makes the whole process clear.
> 
> you are partially firing your pots so they can be
> more easily handled and glazed.  it also eliminates water from the clay.
> glazing green-ware means huge losses, unless you have gobs of
> time to dink with it.
> 
> the timing for firing depends on the potter, not a chart or book.
> 
> you have to consider your location. if you live on a desert, 5% humidity
> each day, and temps in the 80's...pots dry really fast. and most often they
> are totally dry.
> 
> if you live in minnesota, humidity about 50% and cold weather, it can
> take days to dry.  get a rainy period as i had last early summer and it
> took ten days.  i had to drag boards of pots into my living room, turn on
> the furnace and three fans.
> 
> it all depends. you make choices. there is no chart.  that is that old
> story. `one size fits all.`  not good for jockey shorts and bras. or bisque.
> 
> my advice is, if your pots crack and blow up slow down.
> or, be lazy and load your kiln, turn it to the lowest setting and do something
> else for the entire morning.  then jack it up a bit.  then again...then turn to hi.
> and, stack green-ware on top of your firing kiln. then you know they are dry tomorrow.
> load again and fire.
> 
> i get tired of eco people that preach...and waste kiln heat. same for firing times.
> the heat coming off the top of your electric kiln can be used twice. fast fire glaze firings,
> and don't pre heat glaze kilns for hours. get to it.
> 
> i rather use the term wasting time and money. the big waste is often one you don't see.
> it is more important than saving that beer can.
> 
> i know, you got a chart in 1960 and still use it. gospel. one size fits all.
> 
> the tech at cress has no idea where you live, or how thick you make your work.
> you get a standard generic answer.  or, someone writes the program for you.
> that is why the controller on my big paragon is on the wall, a foot away.
> i can convert that kiln to manual control in 3 minutes. turn the plugs around.
> and i ripped the controller off my tiny kiln and threw it in the dumpster.
> manual only.  i do the thinking, not a computer with programs written by others.
> mel
> ps, and i hated that computer telling me. "you are firing too fast" and me
> yelling...F U  /and i hate some lady in my car, hidden and saying "your door is a jar"
> it's a door, not a jar.  talking cars, what is the world turning into.?
> and where is Alexa?  she lives in my living room. i always say thank you however.
> can she see me? does she see me scratching my butt as i cook?
> 
> 
> website: www.melpots.com
> www.melpots.com/CLAYART.HTML
>