LOADING A KILN
Shelf Placement
Bottom Shelf: Place on 1" posts—never directly on the kiln floor.
First Shelf Up: Should be 6–8" above the bottom shelf, ideally above the lowest thermocouple. This offsets the cooler firing zone near the floor.
Thermocouple Clearance: Keep shelves at least 1" above or below thermocouples for accurate readings.
Middle Shelves: Can be placed closer together for short pieces but ensure each level is exposed to at least one element.
Half Shelves: Stagger to fit varied piece sizes.
Top Shelf: Leave 6–8" between the top shelf and the closed lid.
Flexibility: Follow these guidelines as closely as possible based on the pieces being fired.
Post Placement
Location: Position posts 1–2" in from the shelf edge—not directly at the edge.
Quantity: Use 3 posts per shelf to prevent wobbling; add more for heavy loads, especially near the bottom.
Alignment: Stack posts directly above those below. All posts should align vertically.
Shared Posts: Adjacent half shelves at the same height can share posts where they meet.
Stacking: Combine different post lengths (e.g., 4" + 2") to achieve desired shelf height.
Weight Distribution: Place posts on their sides under the bottom shelf only if the shelf stays below the bottom-most side element.
Loading Pottery
Kiln Wash: Always use kiln-washed shelves for glazed firings.
Item Placement:
Put tall pieces in the center and shorter ones near the edges to promote even heating.
Maintain 1" clearance around thermocouples.
Avoid overhanging the shelf edges—view from above to double-check.
Large Flat Pieces: Angle them away from elements and thermocouples to avoid heat reflection issues.
Lid Clearance: Keep at least ½" space between the tallest piece and the kiln lid.
Spacing Rules:
Greenware (bisque): Can touch other pieces.
Glazed ware: Needs at least ¼" between pieces—more if your clay body expands significantly.
