Firing Techniques

Indoor Firing ~ Electric Kiln

Did you know that each piece needs to be fired at least twice?

The first firing occurs after each piece is created, the design is finalized, and the piece is bone dry, meaning the drying process can take up to 3 weeks depending on the size of the piece. The first firing occurs at a Cone 04 temperature of around 1850 degrees and takes around 9 hours to complete and then cool down. Pieces can touch during the first firing, allowing us to "fill the kiln" for even heating, and allowing us afterwards to handle the piece for adding glazes and stains. NOTE: see our "Studio-Gallery Photos/Oopsies" page for photos of glaze misfirings, drippings, cracks, and explosions inside the kiln when items are not bone dry.

The second firing occurs after each piece has been hand-painted with glaze or stains. Pieces cannot touch and need to have the bottom side cleaned thoroughly so the glaze doesn't stick to the kiln shelf or fuse with other pieces. So it is a Tetris situation trying to "fill the kiln" for even heating. The second firing occurs at a Cone 6 temperature of 2234 degrees and takes around 13 hours to complete and then cool down. Opening the kiln lid after the second firing is what we call a "Potter's Christmas." This is when we get to see how the glazing techniques show their true colors!

Sometimes a third firing is needed to adjust/fix glaze issues from the second firing, and it is the same temperature as the second firing at Cone 6.

Contact us to fit your order into our kiln production schedule, as our kiln efficiency with even temperatures is better when our kiln is full!

Outdoor Firing ~ Specialty Raku Techniques

Firing a Raku speciality glaze requires good weather, no wind, and several hours of hands-on involvement. Chikamu Arts, therefore, accomplishes this type of glazing process during the late Spring and Fall seasons only. Summer is too hot to be firing these items at 1700 degrees and handling them directly out of the kiln at this temperature!

Raku "speciality" glaze options

Horsehair

Smoked

firing techniques

Indoor Firing ~ Electric Kiln

Outdoor Firing ~ Specialty Raku Techniques