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 Robert Compton Pottery
Christine Homer Weaving

2662 N 116 Road, Bristol, Vermont 05443
802-453-3778		 Web Site Content
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Salt Glazing Wood Firing Raku Firing Gas Firing Pit Firing Firing Details

Firing Methods
&
 Results They Produce
These links clarify firing methods,
and identify particular results that are unique to each process.
 Addition information can be found in the Collector's Guide.

Temperature, style of kiln, and manner of firing
 have profound effects on the visual qualities of pottery.

Firing Methods

Salt Glazing Wood Firing Pit Firing Raku Firing

Firing Methods

   
  Firing Details Gas Firing  

Temperature & Heat Work

Pyrometer = Temperature Pyrometric cones = Heat Work
A potter needs to measure not only the temperature of a kiln but the HEAT WORK, on the pottery, that the temperature created.

A pyrometer will measure the temperature inside of a kiln but it does not necessary indicate that glazes in the kiln have melted.
 

 Pyrometric cones are used in the kiln to give the potter the guidance to know how the kiln's heat is affecting the glazed ware in the kiln.  The bending of the cones in a kiln is a visual indication of the melting of a glaze.

An analogy of heat work is knowing a kitchen oven is 300 degrees F, but this does not mean the potato in the oven is cooked.
 

Pyrometric Cones

Before During After
These specially formulated mineral sticks, are engineered to measure Heat Work during the firing.  Each cone melts at a slightly higher temperature.  The potter develops his glaze to mature when a specific cone falls.
 Cones Shown Above
Front 4,5,6,7 Rear 8, 9,10,11		 Pyrometric Cones

Are placed in the kiln so they can be view during firing through spy holes, usually in the door of the kiln.
 

 Cones are visible in the kiln by looking  in a "spy hole", and thus one can ascertain when a glaze is mature.  Using a variety of cones helps to indicate how the temperature is rising.  Robert develops his glazes to mature over a range of temperatures from cone 8 to cone 10 which bends (at about 2380F).
 Cones Shown Above
Front 4,5,6,7 Rear 8, 9,10,11

 

 

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