Clay Process - 10

FIRING

Firing is the process of heating up the work to take the clay, eventually, to its target temperature. Almost all clay works are fired at least once, and most are fired two or more times.

The process of turning clay into a permanent pot always involves firing of the work. Over thousands of years of ceramic experimentation, a wide variety of methods have been developed to fire pottery. The most common mechanisms are firing in a kiln (essentially an oven, usually built of brick and/or metal), lined with heat-resistant materials, and firing in a pit.

Different energy sources are used in the firing, and the selection of firing method can affect the types of pots and the types of glazing that are fired.

Bisque Firing

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The initial firing is called the "bisque" or "bisquit" firing. This firing transforms the dry clay on a molecular level into a permanent pot or sculpture. Before bisque firing, the pot would dissolve if placed in water. After bisque firing, the pot's shape is permanent. Usually the bisque firing is done in an electric kiln. The temperature is monitored using either cones or an electronic programmer. But, a gas kiln can also be used.

Cones

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The cone system of controlling the temperature is both simple and ingenious. A traditional cone is an angled piece of a material designed to melt at a particular temperature. Cones are used in one of three ways: 1) In modern electric kilns