Firing her up!

This morning I fired up a fully loaded (with porcelain) kiln.  Mine is 18 x 23.  I kept a notes during this firing process.  I  I was able to see the glow, but could not really see any details.  I am using green # 5 welding glasses.  I don't know how I will ever be able to use witness cones.

I did a 7 hour fire, but the kiln sitter shut off approximately 30-45 minutes prior to the total 7 hours.  I wanted to be there when it did, so I could take a temperature reading.  I inserted a wire into the kiln using an Omega TrueRMS Supermeter  to read the temperature.  Apparently, this devise can read up to 2000 F.

In the meantime, I have spent most of my day searching various web sites and looking at ceramic books.  I wanted to throw, but the wheel is in the same room as the kiln and it is not vented.  OH!  My alarm is going off.  Time to check the temp.

Goals for Fall Quarter Ceramics Independent Study

I just bought a used electric kiln.  It is very basic and just has a kiln sitter.  My goal this quarter is to transition from high fire ceramics to low/mid range.  I specifically wanted a basic kiln as I believe part of the learning processing and getting to know my kiln, is to watch it.  I need to understand the entire process and not simply depend on a computer. 
My first task will be to use up and bisque all my high fire porcelain clay.  I plan on researching and making 05 glazes and firing in my home kiln.  Because I don't have a pyrometer on the kiln, I have a lot of questions as to how to glaze fire, venting etc.  Yesterday, I found myself wandering around Seattle Pottery, picking up this and that.  In the end, I put everything back because I want to talk to Rachel first.