BASIC CHARCOAL FIRING SCHEDULE

BASIC CHARCOAL INJECTION FIRING
LOADING AND LIGHTING
Begin with kiln loading of dry bisque fired stoneware (cone 6 to cone 10 clay bodies) followed by lighting the kiln (converted electric to gas) to begin the firing. This is a Susan Peterson “Fast Fire Style” firing so the temperature is raised very quickly, hence work must be bisque fired and bone dry, and preferably containing a generous percentage of grog.

10:30 am-12:00 pm AIM TO REACH 1600 IN FIRST HALF HOUR TO 45 MINUTES
I increase the gas rapidly to reach 1500-1600 degrees in first 30-45 minutes (every 10 minutes for natural gas and 1-3# for propane) in the first hour. During that time, take turns smashing charcoal. Around noon, participants can take a break while one person stays by the kiln and continues to increase the gas and raise the temperature to 1800-1900.

1:00 – 3:00 CHARCOAL INJECTION 1900-2175 (stoke, wait to clear, repeat)
Begin a series of 6-8 charcoal infusions. Drink lots of water-this is the hot & dusty part.

3:30-4:00/4:30 pm CLEAR KILN ATMOSPHERE AND RISE TO CONE 6/7 (ABOUT 2270)
Allow kiln to rise to cone 6/7 and then shut down and allow to cool.

The kiln should be allowed to cool about 24 hours before unloading.
Unload work. Clean kiln if desired. Some leave the remaining ash and unburned charcoal allowing it to build up for varied effects.