Kiln Firing

There are seven L & L Quad Element electric kilns at Maine Kiln Works. Each can be fired with a computer interface to pre-set ramps & holds. These five electric kilns are used for oxidation firing and range in size from 3 large to 2 tiny (but wonderfully useful kilns nicknamed “Baby Doll” and “Dwarf Rocket” that are perfect for firing glaze & body tests and small pot tests). Our largest kiln is the propane fueled, reduction-fired, fiber lined Car Kiln named Guiliam. And the most recent edition to the Kiln Works family is our fiber lined “Top Hat”, a propane fueled kiln built by Dan in 2010 with inspiration and expert guidance from Hank Murrow.

Final glaze firing temperature is about 1280 degree centigrade—what is referred to as Cone 11 (in reference to pyrometric cones) that are used to gauge glaze melt. The firing cycle of both bisque and glaze LP kilns is supplied from our external 1000 gallon tank.

The atmosphere while firing is given much consideration as the percentage of oxygen and carbon during the firing determines the final glaze color. Managing and adjusting for proper reduction is a dynamic process that is never precisely controlled—the process of which is enhanced by temperature thermocouples and oxygen / co2 sensors on each kiln.