Kilns are the most essential part of pottery making where the process of firing occurs when clay is turned into ceramics. Once done, your raw work of art is being transformed into a great masterpiece. The earliest kilns were made out of a bonfire in a hole in the ground. But with the advancement in technology, sophisticated ceramic kilns were developed. Most of the modern kilns contain shelves of glazed ceramic blanket where the pottery is being lined up. These glazed pieces should not touch each other to prevent sticking to each other. If you are into making your own kiln for certain purposes, there are some important considerations you should be aware of for achieving best results.
Heating Elements
The location of the heating elements, including ceramic blanket and board, inside the kiln is very important. They can be on the side walls where baffles are inserted to avoid contact with the heating coils. They can also be located in the lid which is perfect for those who prefer the heat to be coming from above the glass for a glossy finish of the products being fired. Or better yet, the heating elements can be placed both in the lid and around the sides of the kiln chamber for a very even heat distribution.
Types of Openings
The type of opening of a kiln can make a major difference on how the products can be loaded and checked during firing. The front-load opening is good for small items which can be easily slided into the chamber. While a top-load opening let you visually check the work ensuring that the position of glass and other components are not disrupted during transfer to the kiln. And finally, a clamshell kiln where the lid opens from the bottom is great in providing easy access to the shelves to set the products.
Slumping and Draping Molds
Typically, glass is being slumped into a mold which can either be a ceramic blanket or board. This is necessary because glass can contract over time of use while the ceramic material can withstand hundreds of firings. In cases where you need to make your own mold to create a unique shape, fiber board or a fluffy fiber of a ceramic blanket is a perfect material option. It can be then be dampened with fiber mold hardener to make it a rigid mold.
A FibreCast ceramic blanket can be manufactured in different varieties of densities, chemistries, and thickness. It is highly insulating, has low heat conductivity and complete resistance to thermal shock.