This was such a great tutorial. I have never loaded a kiln, as I go to a studio. Before that, 48 years ago, I was in high school and the teacher loaded it. I learned so much from this video. You are like having a friend helping along the way. I suspected we could stack for a bisque firing, but really never knew. Some day I hope to have my own small home studio. I think I will miss the friendliness and comraderie of the studio I go to as we show off what we have done and ask and give pointers. But being able to throw whenever I want would be wonderful. There are benefits and drawbacks to everything in life.
Have both, also invite friends over to your studio, coffee and cookies. We all need something to celebrate after the last two years. I am so happy you find the videos helpful.
@@Vsmithpots oh what a great idea! We sure do need these things. I still wear a mask to the studio and most everyone does not. But that's ok. I am vaxed and boosted. I have taught a few grandkids to make pinch pots, etc. and am getting them bisque fired and one has even been glazed and ready to be fired. One daughter asked me to pick up a bag of clay so she can hand build things. She made a ring holder with a petal pattern, and is now hooked.
Ah yes, the miniscule adjustments in the positions of the pots before putting down the next shelf! One thing I didn't hear, that I thought I might, was, "Don't pick up greenware the same way you pick up fired wares. You'll end up with a piece of rim in your hand."
Do you have a video that explains clay ‘cookies’ for the kiln & the best way to make & use them? Also, I watched a potter build her pots (plates, saucers, mugs, & etc… not specific to any single specific size) on kiln furniture that equals the thickness & width of her actual kiln, building a replica of her kiln size & did so on her table to ensure how to stack them inside her kiln, making it as kiln conscious sized as possible so she can replicate it inside her kiln. Is it worth doing this in order to protect the kiln & the pots, AND load it so it best fits in the kiln to save on power? I want a kiln of my own so much. My daughters have considered setting up a go-fund-me to help with the cost of building a pottery building at home. I’m currently sharing a small space in a lawnmower shed that also has a riding mower, generator because we tend to lose power during hurricanes, an air compressor, old Craftsman toolbox, weed eater, post hole diggers, shovels, rakes, etc… to name a few. My pottery wheel, table, boxes of clay, & a few shelves fills & overfills the severely limited space I’m able to use. We have a space to finish leveling & add crush & run gravel to pack under a planned 16x16 building just for my pottery making. It is possible I can get a used kiln from a friend of a family member who isn’t throwing as much these days. (🤞🏼🤞🏼).-the kiln has been well cared for & it’s single owner. The increasing price of wood is outrageous. We have help to build it. The problem is covering the building supplies, primarily the framing wood, T1-11, & blocks, screws, cutting blades, etc… Thanks in advance.
I load my kiln and then put a 300 watt light bulb in the kiln with the lid shut for 24 hours. That dry heat of the bulb gets any last hint of moisture out.
I notice my bisque has not changed colour in the middle pointe when/where I stack items but the rest of the body of the vessels or plates have changed to pink. Does that mean the middle has not reached full firing because of my stacking pls
Hi Vaughan you said you prefer to fire the bisque 06 instead 04 .What is the difference between then , I know is the temperature and I just find is not better do the 04, maybe burning more organic matter or is something else?🤗
Hi Marcia, the comment below is correct. Some prefer 04 but I have no problems at cone 06. The clay is harder and more dense at cone 04 so you are less likely to crack the pots with glazing tongues. O6 saves energy too.
I noticed that one of your middle shelves didn’t seem to have many elements in that layer. I always thought I had to have elements in between my shelves. Great great information !
I knew a guy who had a rush order so fired before the pieces were completely dry. I came into the shop and the kiln sounded just like a popcorn maker. I doubt you have ever heard anything like that. Most potters have heard an occasional pop but nothing like that.
I really enjoy watching your show. When I was in class they told me to hold the piece up to my face and if the piece was cold it was still damp. That helps me. Thank you
I appreciate your videos. Very clear and easy to understand. I dont see videos on how to add color when you carve. How do i underglaze. Carve. Then possible glazing. I am older amd have been doing this maybe 3/4 years. And getting into glazes etc.
I did show the layering in an earlier video on tile carving, my videos go back over two years but you can see them all in the timeline, just click on videos.
Newbie here. Trying to figure out the clay conundrum, or at least it is a conundrum for me. I have been trying different clays and it gets confusing fast. Do you stick with one or two different clays for your pottery and if so what do you like? I’m sorry if you have already answered this question elsewhere. Thanks in advance and for all your lovely instruction.
This is a great video!!! Wow jam packed with information! Thanks as always. I have found that bisque firing too low I get pinholes so I bisque to cone 04.
The glaze could be under or over fired rather than gases from the low bisque. Organic matter burns out at 451F. If you use a transparent glaze pinholing is much more obvious and the glaze needs to mature higher or soak longer. The problem with pottery are the problems that never end. Good luck.
Nice video … such a nice man … I just made a home made gas kiln , I been bisque firing in 8 hours , two hours of the heat below boiling , so far all has worked well lol but it’s a small kiln lol
They need to be bat washed on one side because high frit clay like Porcelain stick to them slightly and can leave little marks on the shelves. They never warp.
Good video with good tips! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 It reminds me of a question I've been meaning to ask you... I see that you don't sign your work before you bisque fire. With what do you sign your bisque fired pieces? How do you manage to dip your signed bisqued pieces and not have your signature smudged or drip? I've been stamping my bone dry pots with a rubber stamp and a potter's stamp pad. If I stamp on bisqued pots I have to wax the bottoms without waxing my stamped signature or it will blur my stamp. I'm definitely not doing something correctly but I can't figure it out. I have a stoneware mug of yours and a earthenware mug that Jacqueline painted and the signatures are glazed over but not blurred at all. Thank you in advance for and advice or tips on my question Vaughan.
Hi Connie, I use LUG1 from Amaco. Make sure it is dry before you dip the glaze. If you brush glaze it will smear, unless you are quick and lite in your brushing technique. The best way is to sign before the bisque firing.
Hi! Love your videos. I have had bowl rims crack when I bisqued them upside down. Since then I'm afraid to bisque upside down. Any ideas why that happened? To thin? Or shelf a bit rough?
Rim cracks are usually from bad handling or trimming too hard at the rim when the clay is too dry to trim, especially if the rim is thin. Try compressing the rim at the end of your wall pull.
Hi, I have two lids on my kiln. I kept an old lid from a kiln thrown out years ago. I place that on top of whichever kiln is firing. I don't think it would damage a kiln lid if you are placing pots evenly around the lid, if you just use the one lid. Just don't put a very heavy piece in the center. If you place them on the edges you are really letting the kiln walls take the weight.
I had someone tell me thay are prone to break or explode if they get exposed to moisture. And that you should not use them in electric kilns I see you do. ? Maybe the person I was talking to does not know what he is talking about. Have you heard anything like that or had any problems
What did you do with your old shelves did you sell them or are you saving them for if you need them again I got a bunch of used shelves from an estate sale I've never bought new
For your first firing you should be there to make sure everything is safe. After that firing you can check on it frequently or may be have remote access. I see some kilns have apps to monitor them now. I am not that high tek. Kilns do break down and misbehave so stay close this firing.
Hi Vaughan, the first fire went well. I am learning. I have not heard from Karen at the store, Heart of Michigan. She is up North vacationing. She is coming back tomorrow. I hope to hear from her soon? I went up to Clio Monday. It is a pottery supply by me. I hope to buy some now glazes from Mayco soon. It is all so expensive! I am waiting for the go ahead from Karen at the Heart of MI before I invest in more glaze. Pricy
@@lisayates4230 Hi Lisa, you might want to buy Mastering Cone 6 glazes, it is on Amazon. All my glazes are in that book. making your own glazes is way cheaper.
Hi Vaughan, I am using up some glaze I made in my class and some small jars I bought. I would like to start making my own soon. I bought mastering cone 6 glazes. I need to buy more equipment before I can make my own. I like Mayco glaze combinations. I have seen them on John The Potter. I do not have enough time in the day to accomplish everything I want to do. Need more hours :).
Hi Vaughan I’m using the Laguna bmix 5. Should I bisque to cone 06 and not 04? Thanks
I do cone 06 with Bmix 5.
@@Vsmithpots ok thank you will
Try next round
This was such a great tutorial. I have never loaded a kiln, as I go to a studio. Before that, 48 years ago, I was in high school and the teacher loaded it. I learned so much from this video. You are like having a friend helping along the way. I suspected we could stack for a bisque firing, but really never knew. Some day I hope to have my own small home studio. I think I will miss the friendliness and comraderie of the studio I go to as we show off what we have done and ask and give pointers. But being able to throw whenever I want would be wonderful. There are benefits and drawbacks to everything in life.
Have both, also invite friends over to your studio, coffee and cookies. We all need something to celebrate after the last two years. I am so happy you find the videos helpful.
@@Vsmithpots oh what a great idea! We sure do need these things. I still wear a mask to the studio and most everyone does not. But that's ok. I am vaxed and boosted. I have taught a few grandkids to make pinch pots, etc. and am getting them bisque fired and one has even been glazed and ready to be fired. One daughter asked me to pick up a bag of clay so she can hand build things. She made a ring holder with a petal pattern, and is now hooked.
Ah yes, the miniscule adjustments in the positions of the pots before putting down the next shelf! One thing I didn't hear, that I thought I might, was, "Don't pick up greenware the same way you pick up fired wares. You'll end up with a piece of rim in your hand."
Forgot that, usually it is hitting the rim of the pot underneath with the bottom of the one you are lowering into the kiln.
When pre heating for 3 hours did you have the lid open? You mentioned closing the lid and checking moisture with a spoon at the view hole.
Yes the lid is open during preheat.
Do you have a video that explains clay ‘cookies’ for the kiln & the best way to make & use them?
Also, I watched a potter build her pots (plates, saucers, mugs, & etc… not specific to any single specific size) on kiln furniture that equals the thickness & width of her actual kiln, building a replica of her kiln size & did so on her table to ensure how to stack them inside her kiln, making it as kiln conscious sized as possible so she can replicate it inside her kiln.
Is it worth doing this in order to protect the kiln & the pots, AND load it so it best fits in the kiln to save on power?
I want a kiln of my own so much. My daughters have considered setting up a go-fund-me to help with the cost of building a pottery building at home. I’m currently sharing a small space in a lawnmower shed that also has a riding mower, generator because we tend to lose power during hurricanes, an air compressor, old Craftsman toolbox, weed eater, post hole diggers, shovels, rakes, etc… to name a few. My pottery wheel, table, boxes of clay, & a few shelves fills & overfills the severely limited space I’m able to use. We have a space to finish leveling & add crush & run gravel to pack under a planned 16x16 building just for my pottery making. It is possible I can get a used kiln from a friend of a family member who isn’t throwing as much these days. (🤞🏼🤞🏼).-the kiln has been well cared for & it’s single owner.
The increasing price of wood is outrageous. We have help to build it. The problem is covering the building supplies, primarily the framing wood, T1-11, & blocks, screws, cutting blades, etc…
Thanks in advance.
I test dampness with my lips. If the piece is cold, it's damp. If it's warm
I load my kiln and then put a 300 watt light bulb in the kiln with the lid shut for 24 hours. That dry heat of the bulb gets any last hint of moisture out.
Good tip. I suppose you could also hook up a fan blowing in through the lower spy hole and leave it blowing over night, fans use less power.
@@Vsmithpots I had not thought about a fan. I was thinking heat, and not just moving air. I may try that next time. I sure do enjoy your videos.
I notice my bisque has not changed colour in the middle pointe when/where I stack items but the rest of the body of the vessels or plates have changed to pink. Does that mean the middle has not reached full firing because of my stacking pls
I think it just means the clay was shielded from Kiln fumes.
Hi Vaughan you said you prefer to fire the bisque 06 instead 04 .What is the difference between then , I know is the temperature and I just find is not better do the 04, maybe burning more organic matter or is something else?🤗
06 is the standard. 04 is hotter so fires the bisque ware to be more vitreous so not as absorbent to glazes.
Hi Marcia, the comment below is correct. Some prefer 04 but I have no problems at cone 06. The clay is harder and more dense at cone 04 so you are less likely to crack the pots with glazing tongues. O6 saves energy too.
@@Vsmithpots thank you 🤗
Great tutorial
I just love your videos, your studio and your house.
Thank you.
I noticed that one of your middle shelves didn’t seem to have many elements in that layer. I always thought I had to have elements in between my shelves. Great great information !
The 3 zone kilns compensate for the blank ring by having stronger elements in the center.
Loved this presentation Vaughan!
Thanks.
Hi vaungh, what temperature to do warm up to?
189F and I hold for 2 hours.
Another great video Vaughan. I call it kiln tetris - remember that game? 😁
I don't. I missed out.
Thank you. My kiln has just arrived. 🤪 your talk on bisque firing was very helpful.
Hi Vaughan…. Could you mention how you pack plates and platters so they don’t crack please. I have learned a lot from your videos! Thanks! Mary
I knew a guy who had a rush order so fired before the pieces were completely dry. I came into the shop and the kiln sounded just like a popcorn maker. I doubt you have ever heard anything like that. Most potters have heard an occasional pop but nothing like that.
How sad for that, all that hard work.
I remember at college the teacher would blame it on our pots having air bubbles in them, instead of him firing the kiln with pots still damp.
Lol I heard about air bubbles too
@@Vsmithpots On Pottery Throwdown too, they have blamed it on the potters, when it should have been the kiln master.
@@sybillestahl8646 I saw that too. Rushing never pays off.
I test for dampness using my lips. If the piece is cold, it's damp. If it's warm, it's dry.
I really enjoy watching your show.
When I was in class they told me to hold the piece up to my face and if the piece was cold it was still damp.
That helps me. Thank you
Thank. You so much this was a great help.
Great information! Thank you 😊
I appreciate your videos. Very clear and easy to understand. I dont see videos on how to add color when you carve. How do i underglaze. Carve. Then possible glazing.
I am older amd have been doing this maybe 3/4 years. And getting into glazes etc.
I did show the layering in an earlier video on tile carving, my videos go back over two years but you can see them all in the timeline, just click on videos.
Newbie here. Trying to figure out the clay conundrum, or at least it is a conundrum for me. I have been trying different clays and it gets confusing fast.
Do you stick with one or two different clays for your pottery and if so what do you like?
I’m sorry if you have already answered this question elsewhere.
Thanks in advance and for all your lovely instruction.
I use PSH #455, #516 and Laguna B-mix5.
Thank you Vaughan!
This is a great video!!! Wow jam packed with information! Thanks as always. I have found that bisque firing too low I get pinholes so I bisque to cone 04.
The glaze could be under or over fired rather than gases from the low bisque. Organic matter burns out at 451F. If you use a transparent glaze pinholing is much more obvious and the glaze needs to mature higher or soak longer. The problem with pottery are the problems that never end. Good luck.
Nice video … such a nice man … I just made a home made gas kiln , I been bisque firing in 8 hours , two hours of the heat below boiling , so far all has worked well lol but it’s a small kiln lol
I would love to see it.
Thank you for all the tips you so generously share! Why do you need to treat the Advancer shelves? Thanks in advance 🙏🏼💙
They need to be bat washed on one side because high frit clay like Porcelain stick to them slightly and can leave little marks on the shelves. They never warp.
Thanks for all the good information and video s I have rushed the bisk before and lost pottery now I take my time it's faster than remaking them
It only took 25 years for me to figure that out, every time it gets too busy you think you can cheat the kiln gods.
Good video with good tips! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
It reminds me of a question I've been meaning to ask you... I see that you don't sign your work before you bisque fire.
With what do you sign your bisque fired pieces? How do you manage to dip your signed bisqued pieces and not have your signature smudged or drip? I've been stamping my bone dry pots with a rubber stamp and a potter's stamp pad. If I stamp on bisqued pots I have to wax the bottoms without waxing my stamped signature or it will blur my stamp. I'm definitely not doing something correctly but I can't figure it out.
I have a stoneware mug of yours and a earthenware mug that Jacqueline painted and the signatures are glazed over but not blurred at all.
Thank you in advance for and advice or tips on my question Vaughan.
Hi Connie, I use LUG1 from Amaco. Make sure it is dry before you dip the glaze. If you brush glaze it will smear, unless you are quick and lite in your brushing technique. The best way is to sign before the bisque firing.
@@Vsmithpots Thank you! I'll try using your suggestions on my next firings! 👍👍👍
Hi! Love your videos. I have had bowl rims crack when I bisqued them upside down. Since then I'm afraid to bisque upside down. Any ideas why that happened? To thin? Or shelf a bit rough?
Rim cracks are usually from bad handling or trimming too hard at the rim when the clay is too dry to trim, especially if the rim is thin. Try compressing the rim at the end of your wall pull.
@@Vsmithpots thank you!
Would you do a video on grinding pieces when the glaze runs?? Thanks. I have not a clue how to grind and do it safely
Ok I will add it to one of my next videos.
@@Vsmithpots thank you!!
Excellent video! Question: You don't damage the kiln lid when you load all those pieces on top of the kiln?
Hi, I have two lids on my kiln. I kept an old lid from a kiln thrown out years ago. I place that on top of whichever kiln is firing. I don't think it would damage a kiln lid if you are placing pots evenly around the lid, if you just use the one lid. Just don't put a very heavy piece in the center. If you place them on the edges you are really letting the kiln walls take the weight.
@@Vsmithpots Thank you. That makes sense. Our club does not let us dry anything on the lid. I guess because people don't follow instructions.
Thank you for the helpful video! What’s the highest you’ve glaze fired Laguna BMix-5?
Only cone 6 but it seems to have expansion problems with glazes above 5.
@@Vsmithpots bloating?
@@walkerpottery9296-Natalie I had some pots cracking with certain glazes when I poured boiling water in the pieces. Does not happen at cone 5.
So hard to explain this to anyone 😬 What great tutorial 😊
Thanks, one of my subscribers requested help in this area.
Thank you for a great video!
You are welcome.
Zdravím z Česka a přeji moc hezké svátky jara....hlavně buďte zdraví a užívejte si sluníčka 😉💐🌷⚘🦢🐥🦋🐣🐓🐔
Díky a zůstaňte v bezpečí, bláznivý svět v těchto dnech.
@@Vsmithpots 👋🏡
Great video.
Thanks
I agree the advancer shelves are worth the money. Best investment we ever made
I agree.
I had someone tell me thay are prone to break or explode if they get exposed to moisture. And that you should not use them in electric kilns I see you do. ? Maybe the person I was talking to does not know what he is talking about. Have you heard anything like that or had any problems
@@nathanmiller7109 Jim Bailey told me to make sure they are completely dry before firing them, after bat washing.
What did you do with your old shelves did you sell them or are you saving them for if you need them again I got a bunch of used shelves from an estate sale I've never bought new
@Vsmithpots thanks for the reply I appreciate all your great videos
Thank you Vaughn for your video! When firing do you stay close to the kiln for the entire firing? 16 hours?
For your first firing you should be there to make sure everything is safe. After that firing you can check on it frequently or may be have remote access. I see some kilns have apps to monitor them now. I am not that high tek. Kilns do break down and misbehave so stay close this firing.
Hows the firing going?
Hi Vaughan, the first fire went well. I am learning. I have not heard from Karen at the store, Heart of Michigan. She is up North vacationing. She is coming back tomorrow. I hope to hear from her soon? I went up to Clio Monday. It is a pottery supply by me. I hope to buy some now glazes from Mayco soon. It is all so expensive! I am waiting for the go ahead from Karen at the Heart of MI before I invest in more glaze. Pricy
@@lisayates4230 Hi Lisa, you might want to buy Mastering Cone 6 glazes, it is on Amazon. All my glazes are in that book. making your own glazes is way cheaper.
Hi Vaughan, I am using up some glaze I made in my class and some small jars I bought. I would like to start making my own soon. I bought mastering cone 6 glazes. I need to buy more equipment before I can make my own. I like Mayco glaze combinations. I have seen them on John The Potter. I do not have enough time in the day to accomplish everything I want to do. Need more hours :).