Kilns are insulated chambers that use fuel or electricity to reach high temperatures. When something is heated in a kiln it is described as being ‘fired’. There are different types of kiln to fire different materials. For example, there are kilns designed specifically for ceramics, glass, metal, brick, metal clay, and enamels. This article is…
Some kilns need to be wired directly into an electrical supply. Other kilns can be plugged in using a standard domestic plug. If you are using the latter, you may be wondering if you can use an extension cord with a kiln. This article is about the do’s and don’ts of using an extension cord…
Finding that your glaze has run off your pottery and onto the kiln shelf is not unusual. Especially if you are just learning to glaze your potter, or using an unfamiliar glaze. Most potters have a kiln shelf or two that have been damaged by running glaze. In practice, it is not ideal – for…
There are numerous ways to build a kiln for pottery in your backyard. It needn’t be expensive or complicated. In essence, you are making a chamber that can get up to high temperatures and stay there. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and is not intended as advice about building a kiln. Kilns can…
Plaster hump molds for clay pottery are relatively expensive to buy. But they are extremely easy to make. And you can make beautiful pottery with a hump mold, very easily. Here is how to make a plaster hump mold for clay. Plus, how to make a lovely drape mold pottery bowl with your DIY mold.…
A purpose-built wedging table is an additional expense that you might want to avoid. If this is the case, then don’t stress. There are lots of inexpensive simple ways of finding the perfect clay wedging surface for your studio. A wedging surface needs to have a bit of grip on it. If it is too…
Lots of properties, sheds, studios, and homes, have wooden floorboards. If you’re installing your new kiln, you may be wondering, if you can use a kiln on a wooden floor. I was in a similar position. I wanted to know if it was safe to put my kiln in a wooden shed. And this is…
When I was starting to build my pottery workshop, I encountered the thorny issue of where to keep my kiln. I don’t have a lot of space and I wanted to build a workshop in the backyard. One of the questions I had was, can you keep a kiln outside? Here is what I learned… …
Buying a kiln is exciting, but perhaps you are wondering what size kiln do I need. You will probably get conflicting advice from different people about what size to buy. When I was considering buying my first kiln, I found it all a bit overwhelming. So, I did a lot of research and this is…
Transporting your greenware all over town to get it fired can be stressful. Perhaps you are wondering if you should buy a kiln. Having a pottery kiln at home is certainly convenient. The question is whether it’s practical and safe to have a kiln at home. And if so, what do you need to bear…
When I bought my first wheel, I wasn’t sure how it was going to fit into my life or home. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on something that I simply didn’t get a chance to use. I did some research at the time and one of my key questions was how…
This article is a step-by-step guide on how to make a raku kiln. I had made raku pottery in workshops and under the guidance of other potters. But I had yet to take the plunge on my own if you’ll pardon the pun. I decided it was time to take that step, so I only…