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Writer's pictureSydney Kennedy

The Magic of the Kiln – How It Transforms My Work

Updated: Oct 1

From Fragile Clay to Glazed Perfection: The Transformative Power of the Kiln 


As a ceramicist, the kiln is more than just a tool; it's a partner in my creative process. There’s something magical about opening the kiln after a glaze firing—an anticipation that never fades, no matter how many firings I’ve done. After each glaze firing, I crave that moment when I can finally see the transformation that has taken place inside the kiln. The hardest part? Waiting for it to cool down enough to safely open!


The Two Stages of Kiln Firing


An electric pottery kiln in the middle of firing, glowing in a garage studio.

The firing process is one of the most crucial steps in ceramics. It starts with the bisque firing, which, while not as exciting as the glaze firing, is vital. Bisque firing transforms bone-dry greenware—pieces that are fragile and can be reclaimed into usable clay—into bisque-ware. This stage makes the pieces more durable, yet still porous enough to absorb glaze. For my work, I bisque fire to cone 04, around 1945°F.


Once the pieces are bisque-fired, I can apply the glazes. Then comes my favorite part—the glaze firing. This is where the true transformation happens. During this firing, the bisque-ware becomes stoneware, and the glaze transforms into glass, giving each piece its beautiful, glossy finish. I fire my pieces to a hot cone 6, which is just above 2232°F. I tend to fire a little hotter because I find that my glazes come out richer and more vibrant at this temperature.


Why I Love My Manual Kiln


I have a manual kiln that’s a bit of an old-school workhorse—it was made before 2000, but it’s incredibly reliable. It works by using a K-tube and a cone that melts during the firing process. As the cone melts, the moveable part of the K-tube shifts, and once the cone is fully melted, the kiln shuts off. It’s simple, but it works beautifully for me. New Kilns use digital touchpads. I do not have much knowledge on how these work due to only having a manual kiln. Based off my knowledge, here are the pros and cons of having a manual kiln.


Pros of a Manual Kiln:


  • Simplicity: There's no need to learn a touchpad interface or worry about digital errors.

  • Reliability: I’ve seen other ceramists deal with errors on their digital kilns, but with a manual kiln, those complications just don’t happen.

  • Cheaper: The new digital touchpads can be quite pricey depending on what brand you want.


Cons of a Manual Kiln:


  • Less precision: Digital kilns monitor temperature more accurately, meaning you get a more precise cone 6 firing.

  • Hands-on attention: I have to go out and manually turn up the kiln, which can be a bit time-consuming.

  • User error: As with anything, putting the incorrect cone in the k-tube can cause you to fire higher or lower if you don’t double check what cone you are putting in.


Since starting my home studio, I’ve worked hard to perfect my firing schedule. I'll share my firing schedule below in case you're curious about how I handle each stage!


Total Time 

Top Element

Bottom Element

2 Hours

1

1

2 Hours

3

3

2 Hours

5

5

Until the Kiln manually shuts off (unless it has gone longer than 10 hours)

7

7


This schedule works for me. There are other resources that show different firing schedules. I tweek this schedule a little bit when bisque firing based on if there is any moisture. I check this by holding a hand-held mirror in front of the top peephole for 3-5 seconds. If there is condensation I keep the elements on level 1 and check back every 15 minutes until there is no condensation on the mirror. I do this to reduce the likelihood of any of my pieces blowing up in the kiln, causing destruction on others pieces and possibly the kiln.


The Glaze Process: Experimentation and Surprises


Glazed ceramic piece in the shape on Texas, in an electric kiln before firing.

The glazing process is where the magic truly begins. I've been experimenting more and more with glaze combinations, where I layer multiple glazes on one piece. One of my favorite techniques right now is using Stroke and Coat, Light Flux, and Mayco's Birch to create a "peacock" effect. It’s a delicate dance of overlap, layering, and patience, and while I don’t always love the outcome, that’s part of the beauty of ceramics—it’s all about trial and error. Sometimes, a glaze combination surprises me in the best way, and other times, I find myself tweaking the technique for future pieces.



To help streamline my process and to offer custom orders, I recently made new test tiles for my studio. This way, I can not only see how my glazes behave in my kiln but also show you what certain glaze colors will look like on finished pieces. Glazes can be a bit finicky depending on the type of kiln used. In my studio, I work with an electric kiln, so the way my glazes turn out is quite different from what you’d see in a gas kiln. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes details that make every ceramic studio unique.


Featured Pieces: Ocean Drip Bowl & Lone Star Opal Trinket Dish


A round blue ceramic bowl with dripped glaze accents along the rim.

This week, I want to highlight two pieces that beautifully showcase one my glaze combinations. First, the Ocean Drip Bowl, which features a base of Mayco's Blue Opal glaze with Mayco's Oyster layered on top along the rim and outside. The way these two glazes blend creates a stunning, ocean-like effect. Then there’s the Lone Star Opal Trinket Dish, where Mayco's Oyster is the base glaze, and I’ve added small dots of Blue Opal on top. The variations in how the glaze layers melt together are always a surprise.


A small ceramic dish shaped like the state of Texas, with a speckled blue and brown glaze.

Both of these pieces highlight my ongoing experimentation with glazes and how unpredictable yet rewarding the kiln process can be. There’s a thrill in never knowing exactly how the glazes will flow and fuse until the kiln is opened. The kiln is like a creative partner, adding its own touch of magic to every piece I make.







I’d love to hear from you: Please feel free to leave comments, share your thoughts, or ask any questions you may have. For more behind-the-scenes content, follow me on on Instagram and Facebook at Your Sister's Pot Shop. I also encourage you to sign up for my newsletter to stay up to date on new pieces and blog posts. Your support means the world to me, and I can’t wait to continue sharing this creative journey with you.


Explore My Collection: Visit my shop to see the latest creations and find a piece that resonates with your story. Every purchase supports an artist’s dream and helps me continue to create from the heart. Let’s build a community that values courage, creativity, and the beauty of handmade art. I can’t wait to see which piece speaks to you!

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